Italy Delays Coal Shutdown to 2038, March Seas Hit 20.97°C, Emperor Penguins Downgraded Endangered

Italy’s lower house voted on April 14, 2026, to extend four coal plants’ operation to 2038 from December 2025, as 21% of its oil and gas imports transit the blockaded Strait of Hormuz carrying 20-25% of global oil. March sea surface temperatures hit 20.97°C, second-highest on record per Copernicus, signaling El Niño return. IUCN downgraded emperor penguins to Endangered, projecting 50% population loss by 2080s from sea-ice melt.