The G20 poured $1trn into fossil fuel subsidies last year
After failing to reach a consensus on phasing down fossil fuels last month, it has since been revealed that the G20 poured $1trn into fossil fuel subsidies in 2022. It’s all starting to make sense. Last month, a crunch G20 meeting took place in India in which the world’s wealthiest nations...
Current in Change
Mexico is the latest Latin American country to decriminalise abortion
The Supreme Court’s decision to legalise the procedure across all 32 states follows a growing trend throughout the region, which is renowned for its deeply conservative values. On Wednesday, Mexico’s Supreme Court unanimously ordered that abortion be removed from the federal penal code across all 32 states, in a historic...
How rich nations have trapped poorer countries into fossil fuel use
The campaign group Debt Justice says rich nations have forced poorer countries into moving past fossil fuels as they struggle to pay back national debts. Its members call for debt forgiveness, which will allow the Global South to begin advancing towards sustainable energy. As the global consequences of fossil fuel...
Could India officially be renamed ‘Bharat’?
In preparation to host the G20 summit this weekend, state-issued invitations sent to world leaders have ignited rumours that Modi’s government plans to break with the country’s colonial heritage. This has raised concerns that the Prime Minister is attempting to politicise the national identity. This week, speculations have been growing...
EU to crack down on advertisers making false green claims
To protect increasingly climate-conscious consumers from being misled, the proposed directive will ban generic statements including ‘eco,’ ‘environmentally-friendly,’ ‘carbon neutral,’ and ‘natural’ from being made without evidence. More than ever, we’re seeing brands claiming to be sustainability-orientated in an effort to attract climate-conscious consumers. So much so, in fact, that words...
European nations consider adopting siestas to cope with heatwaves
Spain has long been famous for its siestas. In the face of higher global temperatures and increasing heatwaves, other European countries are considering adopting them. Brutal heatwaves have been at the centre of European summer experiences in recent years. As they continue to arrive with increasing intensity, it's time...
Opinion – Football’s gender equality is still wide off the mark
Despite an emotional World Cup journey for England’s lionesses, football remains governed by an antiquated male gaze. England faced heartbreak on Sunday when the national team lost 1-0 to Spain in the Women's World Cup final. But despite falling at the final hurdle, the lionesses made history in securing their first World Cup silver medal, following on from a groundbreaking Euros win last year. National response to the tournament has proved women’s...
Amazon summit brings attention to the rainforest’s future
The eight Amazonian nations came together to discuss the future of the world's largest rainforest but left many with mixed feelings. Last week, countries across South America were brought together to discuss the future of the world’s largest rainforest. Hosted in Belem, Brazil, the event was an attempt to embrace President Lula’s “Amazon Dream” and his approach to environmental diplomacy. The summit saw two agreements signed; the Belem and...
Zero-degree line at record height amid EU heatwaves and fires
Climate scientists typically use weather balloons to monitor the threshold for warming air. In Switzerland, the latest balloon climbed a record 5,300 metres before temperatures fell to zero degrees. We just keep on breaking records for the wrong reasons. Amid a backdrop of late summer heatwaves and raging wildfires across Europe, meteorologists set out to measure the zero degree line of our climate for 2023. If you’re unfamiliar, this term refers to...
Fascist outfits are exploiting climate disasters to find recruits
When climate disaster strikes, usually nobody wins. Far-right groups, however, have been determined to land new recruits by masquerading as caring and supportive citizens. The word ‘conniving’ needs updating in the dictionary with some examples we’re about to hit on here. Following a severe storm which swept through Vermont last month, several communities were upended by flooding and destruction. With residents left feeling downtrodden and plucking through wreckage, who came...
