Latest Stories from Jessica
What does the Global Plastics Treaty mean for the fashion industry?
With 175 nations agreeing to sign the treaty by the end of 2024, the global plastic industry will soon be changed forever. How this will impact the fashion sector, which relies heavily on fossil fuel-based materials to generate cheap clothing products? Regardless of how convenient it is to keep using plastics, we need to give them up or face a planet that remains polluted and becomes even worse for generations...
Glastonbury Festival is getting a pink and purple wind turbine
Octopus Energy and Glastonbury Festival have teamed up to install a pink and purple 28-metre wind turbine in order to make this year’s Glastonbury the greenest yet. Glastonbury Festival’s ‘biggest fan’ will be in attendance this year, and no, we’re not talking about Lilly Allen or Stormzy. Thanks to a collaboration with Octopus Energy, a 20-metre wind turbine with 8-metre-long blades will tower over thousands of festival-goers as they party for...
Global economic inequality is the lowest it’s been in 150 years
After examining new data, a renowned inequality researcher for Foreign Affairs magazine has declared that global economic inequality is lower than it’s been in 150 years. What can a closer look at the findings tell us about the future? ‘The rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer.’ This phrase is one we’re heard uttered time and time again, but how true is it in 2023? According to...
Afri-Plastics Challenge grants £4.1 million to innovative winners
Nine winners of the Afri-Plastic Challenge have shared a prize pot of £4.1 million for their innovations aimed at reducing plastic waste and pollution in sub-Saharan Africa. Our global plastic problem shows no signs of stopping. Scientists have estimated that by 2050, humans will generate a massive 34 billion tons of plastic waste annually if we do not slow our current rate of production. More than half of this waste will...
Climate scientists warn Arctic Ocean could be ice-free by 2030
Even with our most concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate scientists say Arctic ice sheets could melt completely by 2030. This is far earlier than anyone had previously thought possible. Over the last few decades, the year-round survival of large ice sheets in the Arctic has been a universal reference point for how severe global warming has become. Many scientists believe that a complete disappearance of sea ice at...
Tracking environmental progress on World Oceans Day
For World Oceans Day, we are rounding up significant milestones from the last year that are dedicated to caring for and protecting our planet’s oceans and seas. 70% of our planet's surface consists of oceans. It makes sense, then, that the survival of undersea ecosystems and the myriad of incredible species that live in and around them is crucial to the health of all living beings on Earth. Our oceans play a...
Study finds a key ingredient in sweetener damages DNA
Artificial sweeteners – made from sucralose – have been sold as a guilt-free alternative to real sugar, offering maximum flavour with little to no calories involved. New research is uncovering the true cost of this man-made ingredient. When zero-calorie sweeteners like Splenda first hit the market in 2004, they were met with equal parts enthusiasm and scepticism from consumers and nutritionists alike. Those looking to sweeten up their morning coffee were...
is being ‘busy’ even desirable?
why does it feel like i never have enough time? This weekend, I’m lucky enough to be flying overseas for a holiday in Portugal. I know I’ll be spending some much-needed quality time with my mother, eating delicious food, drinking copious amounts of vinho verde, chatting about the big and little things in life, and soaking up some much-needed sun. I should be excited – of course I am – but...
Why cork is becoming sustainable design’s favourite material
Members of the design world are on a mission to locate materials that bring us closer to achieving sustainability targets, while also being beautiful and long-lasting. Cork is becoming a prime candidate. When we think of cork, we’re likely imagining popping open a celebratory bottle of champagne or pinning our favourite photos onto a board in our living room. But nowadays cork is gaining popularity in the world of design for...
Do climate conversations need a rebrand?
Arnold Schwarzenegger has called for changes to the way we speak about the climate crisis. He says the current language used to describe the issue does little to create a public sense of urgency or incite changes in behaviour. Gen Z knows all too well how quickly family and friends tune out once the phrase ‘climate change’ is mentioned in conversation. While most of us are seriously concerned about our climate's...
