South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth

It is encouraging to see the positive steps taken by the South Korean government to create its own Green New Deal. The authors, from Australia, state that Australia has much to learn from South Korea’s effort. Maybe we all do. South Korea’s efforts are discussed in an article on the Conversation website. The authors are: … Continue reading South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth →

Six Portuguese youth this week filed a case to the European Court of Human Rights asking for accountability around the climate crisis

Holly Young writes on the Deutsche Welle website that four children and two young adults from Portugal have filed a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg against 33 industrialised countries. Portuguese youth activists sue 33 countries over climate change In the latest example of a wave of climate litigation across … Continue reading Six Portuguese youth this week filed a case to the European Court of Human Rights asking for accountability around the climate crisis →

Global utility companies have been slow to go green, undermining efforts to tackle climate change

A new study from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford found that of the 3,000 utilities studied most remain predominantly invested in fossil fuels. Jo Harper discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Climate change: Major energy companies lag in green shift Global utility companies … Continue reading Global utility companies have been slow to go green, undermining efforts to tackle climate change →

New EEA report on impacts of climate change on our health and well-being

Air and noise pollution, the impacts of climate change such as heatwaves, and exposure to dangerous chemicals cause ill health in Europe. Poor quality environments contribute to 13 % (one in every eight) of deaths according to a major assessment on health and environment released this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Tackling … Continue reading New EEA report on impacts of climate change on our health and well-being →

Efforts underway to accelerate development of voluntary carbon markets across the private sector

A global Taskforce has been launched by former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to scale up voluntary carbon markets. Michael Holder discusses in an article on the Business Green website. It should be added that Mark Carney has returned to his roots as an investment banker with a job spearheading environmental and social investing … Continue reading Efforts underway to accelerate development of voluntary carbon markets across the private sector →

Sustainable spirits: an experimental distillery in Scotland has created a sustainable vodka

Arbikie Distillery, in Arbroath, Angus, bills its pea-based Nàdar vodka as a ‘climate-positive spirit. Katie Grant explains in an article on the inews website. Scottish distillery unveils 'climate-positive' vodka made from peas An experimental distillery has created a sustainable vodka that it claims saves more than 1.5kg of carbon dioxide emissions per bottle by … Continue reading Sustainable spirits: an experimental distillery in Scotland has created a sustainable vodka →

Among all the globe’s 20 most industrialised nations, only India and Indonesia maintain a diet low enough in carbon emissions to meet the Paris climate target

The "food-print" emissions produced by G20 countries, which account for around 64% of the world’s population, currently create 75% of the total global food-related emissions. Many are saying that the pandemic has shown how broken our food system is. Elliot Douglas discusses the issue in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. World needs 7 … Continue reading Among all the globe’s 20 most industrialised nations, only India and Indonesia maintain a diet low enough in carbon emissions to meet the Paris climate target →

Will the Covid-19 pandemic change people’s attitudes and trust towards climate change science?

Sarah Kaplan takes this question and gives a good response in an article on the Washington Post website. What the coronavirus can teach us about fighting climate change The cartoon flashed across Katharine Hayhoe’s social media timeline in mid-July: Two doctors in lab coats scrutinize a box labeled “covid-19 science" while one says to … Continue reading Will the Covid-19 pandemic change people’s attitudes and trust towards climate change science? →

Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates

As city populations soar, it might seem like there isn't much room for trees. But ecologists say these climatic powerhouses are an often overlooked solution to the health and environmental issues greater density brings. Charli Shield discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website why trees are more important than ever. Trees help … Continue reading Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates →

Climate change: explaining why it is so hard to change our behaviour

Neil King and Gabriel Borrud discuss with the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk why it is so hard for us to change our behaviour in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. 'Humans are not prepared to protect nature' Why do we find it so hard to change our behavior? German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk explains … Continue reading Climate change: explaining why it is so hard to change our behaviour →