Climate Change
— Over 70,000 delegates, including Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, and King Charles, attend COP28 in Dubai, but over 300 private jet journeys raise environmental concerns. The carbon footprint analysis urges sustainable travel choices.
Climate Change
Climate change is the result of long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While some of these shifts may occur naturally, human activities have been the primary driver of climate change since the 1800s. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, releases heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating the problem.
Climate Change
— Critics argued that having oil and gas producers lead climate talks raised a conflict of interest, given the industry’s role in carbon emissions. Indeed, the UAE is reportedly planning to increase oil production and has been accused of flaring more gas than reported.
Climate Change
— A study suggests that food shortages due to extreme weather events could lead to civil unrest in the UK within 50 years. The country’s vulnerable food system, marked by efficiency over resilience, emphasises the need for plans to address potential disruptions.
Climate Change
— This summer saw global tourism rebound to 84% of pre-pandemic levels, raising climate change concerns due to extreme weather events. A proposal for “carbon passports” aims to curb environmental impact by 2040.
UK Politics
— Environment Secretary Steve Barclay received a £3,000 donation from climate change sceptic Sir Michael Hintze, raising concerns about Barclay’s stance on environmental issues and potential conflicts of interest, prompting scrutiny of the government’s commitment to environmental goals.
UK Politics
— The UK Government is backtracking on climate legislation and directing funds towards the expansion of the oil and gas industry. Research, however, highlights widespread public support for robust climate measures, contradicting the government’s narrative.
Climate Change
— Climate change is expected to lead to more frequent and severe storms, such as Storm Ciarán, emphasising the need for emission reduction and resilient infrastructure.
Climate Change
— Researchers studied the impact of not capping global warming at 1.5°C and discovered that prompt post-2100 temperature reductions could prevent and partly reverse the worst-case scenario of ice sheet collapse and rising sea levels.
Food
— Misinformation is a challenge, but the success of the UK’s sugar tax suggests the feasibility of a tax on food. If implemented effectively, a meat tax could tackle health and environmental issues.
Food
— Psychologists have described a ‘meat paradox’ in the minds of meat-eating animal lovers.
Climate Change
— Rishi Sunak is using the short-term costs of green transition to justify a weakening of the UK’s climate policy, appealing to concerns about these costs. This strategy could polarise climate politics, and risk turning climate into a hotly contested political issue.
OPINION
— The prime minister’s decision to delay or scrap green measures will make it harder for the UK to keep its climate commitments.
Climate Policy
— The government’s unpredictable approach to energy-efficiency has cost progress to net zero before.
Electric Vehicles
— The switch to electric vehicles is already well under way in the UK. Research even suggests it may now be unstoppable – regardless of what the government does.
Anti-Net Zero Populism
— Rishi Sunak appears to have sided with anti-green MPs as officials are left confused over how the UK will achieve its legal commitment to net zero.
Anti-Net Zero Populism
— Rishi Sunak has delayed some of the UK’s key net zero targets – a look back at history may explain why.
