Anti-Net Zero Populism

Sunak’s Net Zero policy shift sparks controversy

— Rishi Sunak’s decision to slow down the UK’s shift to electric vehicles, postpone climate targets and scrap other plans have stirred up strong reactions from various quarters, including his own party. Does it make him a strong leader?

UK Politics

The Conservatives have seized on cars as a political wedge – it’s a bet on the public turning against climate action

— Today, as in the past, pro-car sentiment is a backlash against nascent environmental protest.

Climate Change Deniers

Net zero minister linked to oil-funded group that targeted climate protesters

— Claire Coutinho was a senior fellow at Policy Exchange, which drafted the law to crack down on XR and other climate activists

Climate Change

Don’t look there: How politicians divert our attention from climate protesters’ claims

— By focusing on the disruption caused by Just Stop Oil, politicians avoid having to talk about the substance of their argument.

Environment

Let’s protect nature, but not merely for the sake of humans

— Environmentalists highlight our lasting impact on Earth. While some see recovery and advocate human-centric care, others stress the importance of protecting habitats for all species. Some argue that no matter what humans do, life will persist. Is that right?

Climate Change

The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos across Europe

— New research warns that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, a system of currents that significantly influence European weather, could collapse within years. This could lead to greater climate chaos across Europe and beyond.

Climate Change

Rising methane could be a sign that Earth’s climate is part-way through a ‘termination-level transition’

— The last time methane in the air rose so fast, Greenland warmed by 10°C within decades. Methane levels in the atmosphere are now rising fast, similar to past climate changes. This could lead to a ‘termination-level transition’ and make it harder to limit global warming.

Climate Change

How climate change might trigger more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

— Climate change is causing increasingly severe weather – but it is not just hazards at the Earth’s surface we should be concerned about.

Climate Change

The oil industry has succumbed to a dangerous new climate denialism

— Oil producers behave as if heatwaves, forest fires, and rising sea levels were happening on another planet.

UK Politics

Britain’s next election could be a climate change culture war

— An argument over London’s ultra-low emissions zone threatens to engulf UK politics and the next general election.

UK Politics

Rishi Sunak’s green backtracking contrasts strongly with previous prime ministers’ efforts

— Past prime ministers could afford to talk big on climate change – but now the impact of the environmental crisis is manifestly real, Rishi Sunak can’t afford to appease those who oppose green policies.

Climate Change

We asked the British public what they really think about net zero – here’s what we found

— Research found people were not confident about the government’s leadership in meeting net zero.

Climate Change

How a COVID-19 survivor funded a crucial Indigenous gathering

— A British farmer donated £100,000 to fund a meeting of Brazil’s Indigenous people in the Amazon, motivated by his climate concerns, his near-death experience with COVID-19, and his respect for Indigenous wisdom.

COMMENT

Extreme weather events are exactly the time to talk about climate change

— Record-breaking heatwaves across the northern hemisphere have been linked to climate change, making extreme weather events more likely and intense. Most people are concerned about climate change. The challenge now is to convert this concern into action.

Climate Change

Greta Thunberg fined for climate protest in Malmö

— Greta Thunberg has been fined for blocking oil trucks in Malmö, Sweden. She claims climate emergency justifies her protest.

Environment

Here’s how much water it takes to make a serving of beef – and why where it comes from is so important

— Beef production consumes a lot of water, but not all water sources are equal. Blue water from rivers and aquifers is more precious than green water from rainfall. The amount of blue water used for beef depends on the farming system and location.