Royal Opera House cuts ties with BP
Following pressure from climate activists, the arts venue has become the latest cultural institution to sever its sponsorship relationship with an oil and gas giant. This week, BP and the Royal Opera House announced that they had not extended their partnership deal beyond December 2022, when their most recent contract...
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UK authorities want to reuse graves as burial space diminishes
Laws in effect since Victorian times are causing UK funeral authorities problems as burial space runs low. Some have requested to reuse old graves and policy reviews are ongoing. Does the New Year make anyone else think of death? Just me then… okay. We apologise for such a morbid topic so...
Report reveals Amazon’s plastic use rose astronomically last year
The largest retailer on the planet ships out 7.7 billion packages annually. How it chooses to wrap these items has serious consequences for the natural world – including humans. Have you ever ordered a small item from Amazon and been shocked by the size of the parcel that arrived? You’re...
Cove creates biodegradable water bottles from food waste
Ecologically inclined start-up Cove has released a new water bottle that appears as plastic to the naked eye – but actually is made from biodegradable food waste called PHA. It is the first of its kind, and the product is commercially available. Amid our current climate crisis, plastic waste is...
The cost-of-living crisis is sparking a rise in sex workers
A UK organisation has flagged that the number of women turning to sex work in order to cope with the cost-of-living crisis is rising. Its services operates in numerous cities across the country, advising women on how to remain safe at work and how to stay within the lines...
McDonald’s introduces reusable packaging in Europe
The world’s favourite fast-food chain has launched reusable packaging in France. After an image of the new packaging went viral online, customers are expressing both excitement and concern. Could this be the future of the McDonald’s experience globally? Take a Saturday morning walk through any city centre and you’re bound...
31 children have been found working in US meatpacking plants
Packers Sanitation Services Inc. has been accused of ‘oppressive child labour’ after children ages 13-17 were found cleaning warehouses overnight. The US Labor Department has sought an injunction against Packers Sanitation Services Inc. after 31 young children were found cleaning meatpacking plants across the Midwest. Officials say the children were being forced to carry out illegal work – including the cleaning of dangerous industrial equipment – during night shifts. According to the...
How e-waste is a hidden cause of climate change
As world leaders met to discuss the issue of unmanaged waste at COP27, Nokia phones wanted to shed light on the problem of e-waste and how to tackle it. As a group of landscapers were preparing a park in West London for a community space, they stumbled across an old phone. While little is known about the owner, they left a range of artwork on the handset, along with an...
A lack of due diligence is spoiling tree planting offsets
Despite growing controversy, the easiest way for a giant conglomerate to continue creating dangerous emissions is through offset programs. In reality, when it comes to tree planting, some such projects are doing far more harm than good. Uncovering instances of greenwashing these days can be achieved with a simple Google search… and a generous helping of common sense. Take, for instance, French oil giant TotalEnergies – which proudly declared last...
HSBC will no longer fund new oil and gas fields
After facing criticism over its climate change policies from shareholders and environmental activists, the bank has announced it will cut direct financing to fossil fuel projects it isn’t already involved with. Part of its policy to support a net-zero transition, HSBC has announced it will stop funding new oil and gas field developments. The move, which environmental activists say sends a ‘strong signal’ to fossil fuel giants and governments that investment...
