Italy Delays Coal Plants Shutdown to 2038 Amid Energy Crisis, Emperor Penguins Reclassified Endangered

Italy’s parliament voted on April 8, 2026, to delay shutdown of its four remaining coal plants until 2038, 13 years past the EU’s 2025 deadline, responding to the Iran-triggered energy crisis. March 2026 sea surface temperatures hit 20.97°C, the second-highest on record, indicating likely El Niño return. Emperor penguins reclassified as Endangered by IUCN due to sea ice melt.