6th November 2026

According to new data from the US analysed by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, global sea-surface temperatures set fresh record highs globally for any October, with some regions around the Australian coast registering record highs. A separate four year study of the water around the UK has also identified warming oceans which could destabilise marine food networks, weaken ocean health and jeopardise food security by 2050. Elena Couce, a marine ecologist at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), a British government agency, and co-lead author of the study said, “What surprised us is that warming doesn’t increase or decrease biodiversity across the board. While some groups higher up the food chain, like fish, may gain species in parts of the north-east Atlantic, key plankton groups that underpin marine ecosystems are projected to lose species.” Sea-surface temperatures have been rising for decades, an outcome that is not surprising to scientists given just over 90% of the excess heat being trapped in our biosphere from higher concentrations of greenhouse gases ends up in the oceans. Nearly 680 million people live in low-lying coastal areas, and billions rely on fish for protein. Consequently, warming oceans pose a threat to food security and livelihoods in fisheries and aquaculture. Warmer seas also influence weather patterns, contributing to stronger hurricanes, heatwaves, and extreme rainfall events, which can damage infrastructure, wash away homes and livelihoods, and increase economic losses.

God of love you created the great sea creatures, the whales and dolphins, and you created the tiny plankton. You created the ocean currents and made them influence the wind systems, climate and weather. Within the oceans you have provided food for us to eat, a source of protein for so many. How wonderful, how marvellous, how bountiful you are. Forgive us that we care so little for the natural world. Forgive us that we have failed to treasure it, and cherish all life within it, and the lives it sustains in so many ways. Move among us to change our attitudes and actions that we will arrest ever rising sea temperatures and stop destroying the work of your hand. In the name of Jesus our Saviour we pray, Amen.

Kenya has announced a $160 million conservation program over ten years. Called Thamani Asili, "value of nature" in Kiswahili, The initiative brings together the Kenyan government, environmental protection organisations and philanthropic donors. It aims to sustainably finance the protection of 67,000 sq. miles (173,000 sq. km) of some of the ​most complex and least disturbed natural environments on earth, and the vast ecosystems within the area, while improving the economic prospects of the people who live there. The focus will be on key biodiversity hotspots from the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara which are home to thousands of elephants, rhinos, lions and numerous other species. 

Lord God almighty,

we praise you, we bless you,

we name you sovereign Lord!

All creation proclaims your glory.

All who love you sing your praises,

'Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts.' 

We praise you for Jesus Christ, 

your everlasting Son.

He is the King of glory.

We lift his name high 

for on the cross he broke the bonds of sin

justified sinners by his grace,

and opened heaven to all believers.

We thank you for raising him to new life.

We look forward to that day 

when he will come again to judge the world.

We thank you that he now sits at your right hand, almighty Father,

and intercedes for us.

We praise you for sending your Holy Spirit 

to live within us

and to be our guide and teacher.

All praise and glory and honour and majesty 

be yours one eternal God, 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.