Catastrophic flooding is occurring in ten countries simultaneously
Storms of unprecedented strength and ferocity have cropped up unexpectedly around the world. Though countries in conflict and poverty have been the hardest hit by these events, climate scientists have warned that ‘nowhere is immune.’ For those looking for a positive news story to start the week, I apologise in...
Current in Change
Opinion – UK XL bully ban will ultimately fail to prevent dog attacks
The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced a ban on the American XL bully breed following a rise in serious dog attacks last year. Here’s why I believe the move is short-sighted, tokenistic, and ultimately destined to fail. Does the UK government enjoy anything more than a knee-jerk reaction...
Research says tobacco companies hooked the US onto junk food
Research carried out by the University of Kansas has revealed that tobacco companies were a key influence in the commercial explosion of junk food between 1988 and 2001. Responsible for roughly eight million cigarette-related deaths a year, and the recent mainstream pivot to the abomination that is the single-use vape,...
Why are protests taking place around the world this weekend?
All weekend long, tens of thousands of people will be taking to city streets to protest for an end to the use of fossil fuels. In dozens of countries and hundreds of cities worldwide, tens of thousands of people are readying to take to the streets to protest for an...
One in seven adults are reportedly addicted to ultra-processed foods
An analysis of 281 studies from 36 different countries, published in the BMJ, states that the way some people consume UPFs ‘meets the criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder.’
Did you know that, given the option, most rats will choose sugar instead of cocaine?
This is according to an
Exclusive – How Wawa Gatheru is closing the climate movement gaps
In 2021, the environmental justice activist founded Black Girl Environmentalist to centre Black girls, women, and gender-expansive people in the climate movement while shifting inequitable power structures that create barriers to access. We spoke to her about what this involves. Wanjiku (Wawa) Gatheru has made it her mission to guarantee...
UK ministers set to ban single-use vapes over child addiction fears
UK ministers are reportedly poised to announce a nationwide ban on single-use vapes in the coming week. With their considerable ecological impact considered in discussions, the chief concern is that children are becoming addicted. Your local off license is about to become a lot less colourful in the coming weeks, if reports are to be believed. After much umming and ahing, UK ministers are reportedly on the cusp of finally following...
Biden cancels Trump-approved oil and gas leases in the Arctic
In a massive win for the planet, the Biden administration has confirmed the cancellation of seven controversial oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing the need to conserve nature and protect Indigenous rights. This week, the Biden administration confirmed its intent to cancel seven controversial oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, originally authorised in the waning days of the Trump administration. The leases...
Shouting at kids increases their risk of mental health issues by 50%
New research claims that shouting can be as damaging to children’s development as sexual and physical abuse. It warns that young people exposed to hostile parenting early on are more likely to self-hr, use drugs, and commit crimes. According to a recent study published in Science Direct, shouting at, denigrating, or verbally threatening children can be as damaging to their development as sexual or physical abuse. For this reason, the authors...
Africa’s first Climate Summit 2023 resolutions, criticisms, and challenges
The just concluded Africa Climate Summit, a significant gathering of leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, unfolded for 3 days against the backdrop of pressing environmental challenges. Governments, organisations, and heads of African states deliberated on crucial resolutions to address climate change, carbon credits, and various environmental issues, amid a backdrop of criticism from young activists. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit, which concluded on Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in...
