Tobacco companies to be billed for clean-up of cigarette waste
Under new environmental regulations in Spain and Ireland, they will be forced to pay for part of the costs associated with ridding the streets of the millions of butts smokers discard annually. In June, the World Health Organisation released a comprehensive report outlining the destructive effects of the tobacco...
Current in Change
Marine biologists are optimising fishing practices in Europe
Oceanologists are using their knowledge to help fishermen increase their income while improving the sustainability of their catches. If implemented across Europe, it could transform the fishing industry in the Mediterranean. Though there’s been a lot of talk about unsustainable fishing in recent years, it’s important to remember that all...
Climate impact labels are encouraging people to eat less meat
According to a new study, information on food packaging that indicates the level of planet-heating gases emitted during production can persuade consumers against carbon-heavy meal options. Of the many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprints, switching to a plant-based diet is pretty high up in terms of...
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...
Why are wildflower lawns experiencing a surge in popularity?
Wildflower lawns are changing what we consider to be a traditional ‘garden’, and could have long term effects on our approach to personal nature projects. Ever heard of a ‘wildflower lawn’? Those familiar with the ins and outs of gardening may already be in the know, but wildflower lawns could...
Coral reef projects receive a major boost in funding
The forests of the ocean are suffering. Warming waters are causing ocean acidification and coral bleaching. Meanwhile, overfishing practices are causing the subsequent collapse of entire ecosystems. Bolstered funding from COP27 is aiming to slow – and hopefully reverse – the process. When we think about nature's ecosystems, coral reefs...
Exclusive – Meet Ishaan Shah, the Gen Z activist fighting modern slavery
We spoke with the 19-year-old UN Youth Representative and co-founder of Stolen Dreams – a youth-led collective driving action around ending modern slavery – about how he is guaranteeing that every human being has access to basic human rights. Ishaan Shah was just thirteen when he learned that slavery is a very real, very current issue. Upon coming to terms with the fact that exploitation isn’t confined to our history books...
Brazil’s Amazon Fund has been revived thanks to new governance
After a decade of success, Brazil’s internationally-funded rainforest protection program was frozen in 2019 by President Jair Bolsonaro. Now, the nation’s Supreme Court has announced the Amazon Fund will continue operations by 2023. Fridays are for good news, and luckily, there have been some great developments happening in regard to the Amazon Rainforest. Following a close win by left-wing presidential candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s Supreme Court has announced...
Exclusive – COP27’s Biodiversity Day with Kasha Slavner
We spoke with award-winning filmmaker and activist Kasha Slavner about what it means to respect and protect our planet on COP’s Biodiversity Day. Yesterday’s theme at COP27 was Biodiversity Day. Leaders gathered to discuss nature and ecosystem-based solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation. They also built strategies to mobilise global action towards halting biodiversity loss by reducing key drivers of climate change. We sat down with Kasha Slavner, an award-winning Gen...
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...
