Category Archives: Climate

New single-use plastic ban takes effect in England – here’s why its impact may be limited

October 3, 2023 by Mike Andrews

A new ban prohibits businesses in England from selling some single-use plastic products. Freepik2/Shutterstock Antaya March, University of Portsmouth; Cressida Bowyer, University of Portsmouth, and Keiron Roberts, University of Portsmouth Single-use plastic and packaging has become an essential part of … Continue reading →

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How community gardening could ease your climate concerns

October 3, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Viktoriia Hnatiuk/Shutterstock Jose Yong, Northumbria University, Newcastle Every day, we are bombarded with messages about a world in crisis. Alongside the ongoing reminders of wars, economic recessions and social unrest is news about natural disasters and extreme weather – be … Continue reading →

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Net zero goal still alive, says IEA – but the world still faces major obstacles to reach it

September 28, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Jack Marley, The Conversation This roundup of stories is adapted from our weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine, written by environment editor Jack Marley. Click here to subscribe. Globally, the rate at which people are installing solar panels and buying electric … Continue reading →

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Rishi Sunak has ripped up decades of cross-party consensus on climate change

September 27, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Tim Jackson, University of Surrey The acclaimed 1990 film Awakenings tells the story of a neurologist who discovers a drug which rouses catatonic patients from decades of “sleep”. It’s a true story, based on Oliver Sacks’ 1973 memoir of the … Continue reading →

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Blueprint Coalition urges UK Government U-turn on net zero commitments

September 25, 2023 by Mike Andrews

September 21, 2023 The Blueprint Coalition is calling on the UK Government to retain its net zero commitments following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policy U-turn. As a leading partnership of local government, environmental and research organisations, the Blueprint Coalition is … Continue reading →

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Renewables are cheaper than ever yet fossil fuel use is still growing – here’s why

September 20, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Malte Jansen, University of Sussex Wind and solar are the world’s fastest growing energy sources and together generated 12% of global electricity in 2023. The amount of energy produced by wind and solar is expected to increase and accelerate. Wind … Continue reading →

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France used 10% less electricity last winter – three valuable lessons in fighting climate change

September 19, 2023 by Mike Andrews

French authorities dimmed public lights in December 2022 to avert energy shortages. Jerome Labouyrie/Shutterstock Ariane Millot, Imperial College London and Steve Pye, UCL Measures which help people use less energy at home, while travelling or at work could significantly cut … Continue reading →

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We just blew past 1.5 degrees. Game over on climate? Not yet

September 15, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Ailie Gallant, Monash University and Kimberley Reid, Monash University July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded. And now we know something even more alarming. This week, the European Space Agency announced the July heat pushed the global average temperatures … Continue reading →

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New research may point the way towards frost-free heat pumps

September 13, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Amirreza Mahmoudi, University of Saskatchewan A chilly winter morning, the car windshield shrouded in a thick layer of frost. Who has not experienced the frustration of scraping ice or waiting for the defroster to work? It is a daily winter … Continue reading →

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Discrediting carbon credits

August 23, 2023 by Mike Andrews

Nathaniel Rugh Marcel Llavero-Pasquina | 18th August 2023 | Creative Commons 4.0 Global Atlas of Environmental Justice Big Oil going carbon neutral? Here is how carbon offsets impact local and indigenous communities. Fossil fuel companies are increasingly using carbon offsets … Continue reading →

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