What The Experts Say
— A substation fire near Heathrow plunged Europe’s busiest airport into chaos, halting 1,300+ flights. Experts warn ageing infrastructure, weak backups, and climate threats expose national power vulnerabilities.
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.
UK Politics
— Kemi Badenoch has shifted her stance on net zero, once championing it in government but now opposing it as Tory leader. Critics call her opportunistic, aligning with right-wing populists over climate science.
Climate Denial
— Nigel Farage, a vocal climate policy critic, is building a home in a flood-prone Kent area. Despite rising sea levels threatening Romney Marsh, he continues promoting fossil fuels and climate science denial.
Big Meat & Dairy
— In 2024, the meat industry pushed aggressive rebranding campaigns, spreading disinformation about “natural” meat, eco-friendly claims, and global hunger, while facing growing scrutiny over sustainability, climate impact, and plant-based competitors.
Climate Change
— A global report reveals rising repression and criminalisation of climate and environmental protests, with state and corporate actors employing anti-protest laws, harsher policing, and violence to stifle activism worldwide.
Tories
— Tory ministers worked closely with Shell on its relocation to London ahead of COP26 in 2021, newly revealed documents show. Despite barring fossil fuel sponsorship, the government privately supported Shell’s move, downplaying climate concerns and avoiding reputational risks.
Environment
— High-street banks’ green claims are under increasing scrutiny. Here’s how customers can find out where their money is going.
COP29
— COP29, dubbed the “finance COP,” sees 198 nations convene in Azerbaijan to negotiate new climate finance goals. Controversy surrounds fossil-fuel dependency and private banks’ limited contributions to combating climate change.
What The Experts Say
— Donald Trump’s re-election signals potential setbacks for global climate ambitions, yet some experts believe the momentum towards renewables and the green economy will persist, challenging Trump’s fossil fuel focus.
Plastic Pollution
— Samoa struggles to manage escalating plastic waste due to limited resources, warns rights expert Marcos Orellana. Despite restrictions, cheap plastic imports persist, highlighting the need for equitable international solutions.
Climate Change
— Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism toward net zero targets signals a shift, emphasising pragmatism and economic caution. Her ambivalence on climate policy suggests potential divisive strategies targeting Reform voters.
Conservative Leadership Contest
— Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism over the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target has sparked debate in the Conservative Party. She questions its feasibility, suggesting an adaptation-focused approach, potentially reshaping Tory climate policy.
Conservative Leadership Contest
— Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has pledged to repeal the UK’s Climate Change Act, drawing support from a group of climate science deniers who claim “there is no greenhouse effect”. This move threatens mainstream political relevance amid public demand for climate action.
Conspiracy Theories
— Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida spurred weather manipulation conspiracies, revealing a pattern: natural disasters can drive conspiracy theories. These theories hinder climate action, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of environmental denial.
National Security
— The UK COVID-19 inquiry reveals the previous Conservative government underestimated non-malicious threats like pandemics and climate change. Experts urge placing climate change at the heart of national security plans.
Environment
— The UK government’s £22 billion investment in carbon capture could hinder net zero goals by 2050, risking fossil fuel dependency and undercutting renewable energy alternatives.
