This roundup of The Conversation’s environment coverage was first published in our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine.

I’m thinking of painting my roof white. It’s not about making it look prettier, it’s because my bedroom is right underneath a flat roof and every summer it gets unbelievably hot. Last summer I ended up hugging a hot water bottle filled with cold water in bed, and even that was not enough to help me nod off.

As those who live in Mediterranean countries know, painting your home white helps keep it cooler by reflecting back the heat. A dig in our archives found a fascinating article by Rosa Schiano-Phan, reader in architecture and environment design at the University of Westminster, about why this works – as generations of people who live in stark-white villages in Spain and Greece will testify.

It might be worth giving it a go to get some cooler summer nights, and a tin or two of white paint is not a high price to pay.

The past few days of hot weather have been concentrating my mind on any simple (and cheap) steps I might take in my home to help keep cool. Another great find from 2025 has suggestions. Mehri Khosravi, an energy researcher at the University of East London, digs into ways to keep people cooler and avoid big energy bills. She suggests looking at shutters and shades as a cheaper alternative to air conditioning units, noting:

“In Rome … window shutters are so common you barely notice them, yet they dramatically reduce the need for mechanical cooling.”

Wildfire risks

Countries that have traditionally not sweltered in the summer are starting to understand what it feels like. Already in 2026, wildfire warnings have been issued in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These nations are traditionally associated with soggy summers rather than sweltering ones, but all three – as Will Hayes, postdoctoral research associate in fire governance at Royal Holloway, University of London, notes – have already seen significant wildfires break out in 2026.

One reason for this is the changing patterns of those who tend farmland. Agricultural workers are getting fewer and older, which means far less clearing of vegetation is taking place. As in Italy, this has contributed to the growing risk of wildfires. While less grazing and natural regeneration of the landscape can mean more biodiversity, heavier vegetation can also be more flammable. As Hayes writes:

“These same changes may also increase wildfire risk where vegetation becomes dense, continuous and unmanaged. The challenge is therefore not choosing between farming or conservation, but finding ways to support landscapes that can sustain biodiversity, rural livelihoods and wildfire resilience together.”

As well as the heat, The Conversation’s environment desk has been very focused on bees recently, as World Bee Day came and went – and heat was a factor there as well.

Bees are being hit by heatwaves in a surprising way. In a University of Hull lab, a study recreated three days of heatwaves from July 2022. The team tracked how red mason bees in the study reacted, along with a control group that wasn’t subjected to these high temperatures. James Gilbert and colleagues initially thought all the bees were fine, and there was nothing to see there. But nine months later, it became clear that there was something significant to consider.

In the group of bees subjected to heatwave temperatures, sperm activity had dropped by half compared with the control group, and sperm counts by one third. In females, there was a 15% reduction in both the size and number of developing eggs.

The heatwave had wrecked their fertility. While this in itself was shocking for the trial bees, the long-term implications for bees more generally – and the humans that rely on their pollination – is immense. Until now, research on heatwaves and their impact on bees had just focused on fatalities. This new study shows that some bees will not even be born because of rising temperatures.

Meanwhile, in the Pennine hills in the north of England, there’s an unusual project taking place that is also about reacting to the changing climate. Hundreds of holes have been dug across the area, creating something of a moonscape effect.

This is part of a huge plan to return this area back to its boggy past. Industrial expansion in this region in the 19th century left the wetlands stripped of their moisture, as coal smoke from nearby mills left heavy metals behind that degraded and dried out the soil. But in the past few years, scientists have started to revive its sogginess, using the impressive qualities of Sphagnum moss – a sort of super moss which can hold up to 20 times its body weight in water. The moist, peaty wetlands will help protect the area from wildfires, as well as absorbing the CO₂ being created by industrial fossil-fuel use, which is warming the atmosphere.

Working in hot temperatures

Life generally doesn’t stop in heatwaves. Many people are required to continue with their jobs in high temperatures, without any respite or option to find a cooler space. Research across seven countries shows that governments need to do more to help people cope in extreme temperatures. Recommendations include creating maximum workplace temperatures, and creating more cool places where people can escape to during heatwaves, such as public buildings.

It seems almost impossible to ignore the relationship between extreme heat and our lives right now. But at least some academics are using innovation sparked by their scientific research to recognise – and help tackle – some of the problems these heatwaves are causing. And no doubt there will be more.

Arsenal may have already won their first Premier League title for 22 years, but that has made them hungrier for the Champions League, not complacent.

Mikel Arteta said: “The ambition is bigger. We have one, and now we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more.

“And the team is capable, because we’ve shown it in the last two seasons, in this competition. What we’ve done this season in the competition, and I want the players to be so confident that we’re going to win.

“I think it’s the opportunity to own the moment, because, as you said, it’s the second time in our history that we are here, and we have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.”

One of Mani’s favourite bands, the reunited Manchester rockers Puressence, will play Manichester later on today.

Mani was close pals with the band, who share the same hometown of Failsworth where a huge mural to the star was recently revealed. Mani produced music with the band, and has previously appeared in their music videos.

A statement from organisers said of the band’s involvement: “Manichester is a one-day celebration of Mani’s life, music and legacy, created in close collaboration with his family and a community of artists connected to his story and influence.

“Today sees a band closely connected to Mani’s journey join the bill — Puressence, a longtime favourite of Mani’s and a band he worked with as a producer, will perform a special featured set as part of the day.”

Mani’s brother, Greg Mounfield, added: “Having Puressence involved is a personal request — our kid not only produced records with the lads, he toured China with them and even popped up in a few of their videos. For me it’s a no-brainer, and I know our kid would’ve loved it.”

The farm shop has a huge food hall and a fun barn for kids to explore

Summer is very much on its way, and there’s plenty to do in our wonderful county that really matches the weather. One popular farm shop even had a celebrity visit today!

Stacey Solomon was pictured taking a trip to Bury Lane Farm Shop in Melbourn this morning (May 30). Bury Lane Farm Shop is a spot where you can get all of your grocery shopping done in its massive food hall.

It also has a garden shop and runs pick-your-own flower events throughout the year, which seems to be what Stacey Solomon took part in! For children, there is a fun barn to explore and even a man-made beach open through spring and summer.

After spending a few hours at Bury Lane Farm Shop, you can visit the on-site café for a hot drink and a slice of cake. Stacey visited the pick-your-own peony fields and even got some meat from the farm shop’s very own butchers.

The farm shop shared on its socials: “We’ve had a very special visitor to the pick your own peony fields this morning, thank you @staceysolomon for bringing your warm smile and charm to Bury Lane. We loved having you here. We hope you enjoy the burgers and sausages from our Butchers at your Champions League party tonight!”

Will we have a hosepipe ban in 2026?

How can I start to prepare now for possible hosepipe bans?

What if I don’t have room for a water butt?

The claim about Lady Eleanor Donaldson’s alleged actions emerged during evidence at today’s hearing

Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife planted a listening device in his car because she suspected he was having an affair with a constituent, a court has heard.

The claim about Lady Eleanor Donaldson ‘s alleged actions emerged during evidence at today’s hearing at Newry Crown Court.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, is on trial at Newry Crown Court accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault.

The ex-MP has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences.

The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting.

She is facing a trial of the facts after Judge Paul Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.

The trial of the facts will test the evidence in the case, but cannot result in a criminal conviction.

In the morning session of the trial the woman who alleges she was sexually abused byDonaldson when she was a child insisted “facts are facts” when challenged by the former DUP leader’s barrister over her claims.

The woman, known as complainant A, was cross-examined by Kieran Vaughan KC throughout Friday at Newry Crown Court at the sex offences trial of the ex-MP and his wife.

Donaldson sat in the dock wearing a dark grey suit and yellow tie, occasionally taking notes.

The jury heard a claim that a letter written by Donaldson to complainant A in 2020 expressing “regret” was “nothing to do” with the allegations she has made against him.

The trial had previously heard that Donaldson had written the letter to the complainant expressing “how much I truly regret all the hurt, pain and distressed I have caused”.

On Friday, the barrister asked the woman why she had not handed the letter to police when she had first been interviewed.

She told the court that she “wasn’t sure it was relevant at the time”.

He said: “Are you suggesting it is relevant or not relevant to the allegations?”

She said: “I think it is very relevant.”

The barrister said the letter had “nothing to do with you and sexual assault”, but instead related to other behaviour by Donaldson.

The woman said while the letter did not mention sexual abuse, it had “heavy connotations of guilt and shame, and asking for forgiveness”.

She added: “I believe that letter is a letter of apology for what he did to me over the years.

“He is a very clever man, he would never write in writing what he had done but he could heavily suggest.”

Mr Vaughan also referred to an allegation made by the woman that Donaldson had touched her breasts on a number of occasions when she was of primary school age.

He asked about her claim that she had been touched “skin on skin”.

She said: “Mostly, one or two occasions when it was over the top of a bra, but mostly skin on skin.”

The barrister drew attention to a meeting complainant A had had with a police officer where she mentioned “touching over clothing”.

She said: “If that is what she has written, that is what was said.”

Mr Vaughan said: “On the face of it that is inconsistent with what you told the jury yesterday, about touching under clothes.”

She said: “The facts are the facts, I am sticking to that.”

The barrister said the complainant “would have known what he was doing to you was wrong”.

She said: “Not necessarily, abuse is a very complicated thing.”

The barrister asked her if she was suggesting she had not known until she was an adult that what she claimed had happened to her was wrong.

She responded: “I began to piece together factually there were things that happened as normal that I should not have accepted as normal practice.”

The barrister then referred to an incident where the woman had claimed Donaldson had “perched” over the top of her, using a light to look at her “private parts”.

When challenged about her account, she said: “The light was focused on my genital area.”

Mr Vaughan said: “I suggest that is not true.”

The barrister added: “You were confused and you were not sure of what you had seen.”

She said: “To this day I am still confused … I am honest about that.”

After lunch, the woman said she had spoken in 2023 to a safeguarding figure within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and also a police officer.

Mr Vaughan asked why she had then waited until 2024 to lodge a formal complaint about the sexual abuse allegations.

She said she was not, at that point, ready to make a formal complaint.

She said: “It was a huge decision.

“I knew this would be an extremely public affair, involving media. It was a huge, huge decision.”

Complainant A said she had been “extremely anxious” about reporting the allegations to police.

She said: “I had doubt about doing this, I very nearly changed my mind.”

The woman is due to be questioned by a barrister representing Eleanor Donaldson next week.

The trial, which is expected to last between three and four weeks, will resume on Monday.

Jeffrey Donaldson, a former long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.

Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into devolved government at Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

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Irish rock band The Coronas were forced to postpone their sold-out King John’s Castle concert in Limerick on Friday night after guitarist Lar Kaye suffered a suspected medical emergency on stage during the opening moments of the show.

The Coronas are due to reschedule their major Limerick King John’s Castle gig after their guitarist experienced a suspected medical emergency on stage – bringing the concert to an abrupt halt shortly after it started.

The sold-out performance was part of the Live at The Castle series happening in the Treaty City over the June Bank Holiday, with appearances from Where Is Your Mind hitmakers Pixies, and Brewing Up A Storm noisemakers The Stunning scheduled across the long weekend.

Crowds gathered at the mediaeval riverside castle for a sold-out evening with the San Diego Song rockers on Friday night to launch the festivities.

However, just minutes into the performance, guitarist Lar Kaye experienced a suspected medical emergency on stage and received treatment from paramedics.

Approximately one hour afterwards, following the band’s departure from the stage after Lar’s emergency, frontman Danny O’Reilly returned to address fans, confirming the show wouldn’t proceed that evening, though the band pledged to return for a rescheduled Limerick date for thousands of supporters, reports the Irish Mirror.

According to local publication Limerick Live, he said: “First of all, we really appreciate you being here tonight and hanging around, and we want to keep going and do the show, but until we know 100 per cent that Lar is okay, it just doesn’t feel right.

“I did speak to Lar a minute ago and, you know, he’s a bit shook, and he’s embarrassed that everyone saw him fall. But as I say, until we get the all-clear, it just… we were talking about it, it just wouldn’t feel right for us being up here trying to sing music when we don’t know what’s going on.”

He went on to say: “We want Lar to be on stage with us when we come back, and we’ll know the date for sure. It’s looking like it’s going to be either the 10 or 11 of July.”

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