Exploring the failures of past COP meetings
Global climate summits feel like they hold the key to saving our planet, but they haven’t always been the most successful. When studied retrospectively, a clear set of issues emerge. Despite global leaders openly discussing the dangers of climate change since the 1980s, most have failed to implement solutions to...
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Sponsors raise doubts about the success of COP26
Million-pound corporate sponsors of the world’s most important climate summit have complained that the event has been grossly ‘mismanaged’ with plans coming together at the ‘very last minute’. With COP26 kicking off in Glasgow in less than two weeks, concerns are mounting over whether or not the event will be...
Exxon is greenwashing on its zero emission pledges
Oil company Exxon has committed to reaching ‘zero emissions’ by 2050, but this does not include any caused by burning its products and only counts in-house ‘operations’. It’s the latest example of big business greenwashing for public favour. Exxon is one of the world’s leading gas and oil companies...
How science labs are building the future of food
Climate change is holding a sharp knife to the agricultural industry. From espresso and pasta to sushi and fish fingers, your daily bread could disappear from local menus, if not for a huge effort from scientists around the world. The agriculture industry – which has contributed massively to climate change...
US start-up finds way to halve cost of making solar cells
A start-up called Leap Photovoltaic has reportedly slashed the cost of developing solar technology in half. Could this help the overall supply chain to grow? Over the coming weeks at COP26, crunch talks of how we can phase out fossil fuels and bring about more renewable energy will be had. During...
US plastics could reportedly create more emissions than coal by 2030
The American plastics industry is being described by climate experts as ‘the new coal,’ as emerging reports show a release of 232 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. By this stage you’re probably sick to the back teeth, like we are, of the daily doom scrolling through despondent climate...
Carbon recycling creates physical goods from thin air
Everyday household items are now being created using sequestered carbon emissions, and the process is set to become increasingly common over the next 50 years. In the near future, many of our household items could quite literally be conjured from thin air. To date, carbon capture initiatives have predominantly searched for ways to conceal our harmful emissions. Sucked from the atmosphere, sequestered carbon is regularly pumped into industrial concrete mix, for...
Amazon launches ‘Future Engineer’ education program in India
Despite making up the second largest internet market globally, India is grossly underrepresented in the world of computer science. Amazon is attempting to rectify this by bringing its education program ‘Future Engineer’ to the nation’s students. The American e-commerce giant helmed by newbie astronaut Jeff Bezos is capable of some good, it would seem. Back in 2018, Amazon launched an education program called Future Engineer which continues to unearth aspiring young...
NYC improves conditions for gig economy delivery drivers
As the gig economy takes on an increasing number of contractors every year, New York City is determined to look after workers with its most widespread service: app-based food delivery. These days, enjoying grub from our favourite restaurants and fast-food outlets is all but a few clicks (and usually a half hour wait) away, thanks to the gig economy. In the last five years or so, food apps like Uber Eats,...
American Express kickstarts ByBlack with support from Issa Rae
ByBlack is the first national business certification program exclusively for Black-owned businesses. The billion-dollar scheme offers opportunities for young entrepreneurs to expand beyond in-house sales. Online platforms like Etsy and Instagram have been essential tools for young business owners to independently launch their products and services, but growing a business venture beyond the early stages can be an expensive and tricky process. In particular, the Black community in America faces a...
