Warm bank visits could be a winter reality for millions of Britons
With no signs of inflation easing and the energy crisis here to stay, several organisations are teaming up to open ‘warm banks’ to ensure British residents are able to stay warm this winter. We’re familiar with food banks, but as colder months loom closer amidst the energy and cost-of-living crisis,...
Current in People
New Delhi introduces its first zero-waste community
Navjivan Vihar is the first – and only – zero-waste locality in the world’s most polluted city of New Delhi. New Delhi, India, is known for its vibrant culture, incredible food, and – perhaps most infamously – its high levels of pollution. The city is covered by a blanket of acid smog 365...
Lula da Silva’s election win renews hope for Brazil’s future
Brazil’s new president Lula da Silva has driven Jair Bolsonaro out of office with a narrow electoral win this weekend. This has renewed hope that the nation’s problems with gun violence, deforestation, and anti-LGBTQ+ policies can now be addressed. Everyone loves a comeback story, and they don’t come much sweeter...
Exclusive – Kicking off COP27 with Clover Hogan
We spoke to Force of Nature’s founder, Clover Hogan, about what world leaders should be focusing on at this year’s summit and how we, as individuals, can guarantee their conversations translate into tangible action. At just 11-years-old, Clover Hogan declared herself an environmentalist. Ever since, she’s been working tirelessly with her...
Are young people gradually dropping Labour for the Green Party?
In recent history, a vote for the Green Party has felt almost like an act of protest. As Labour’s stance on social issues become less clear, however, young people are being allured by the underdog’s progressive policies. Is there an end in sight for two-party politics in the UK? While...
Vanessa Nakate named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
25-year-old climate activist Vanessa Nakate was recently appointed as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador. This recognition comes after a 3-year climate change campaign that saw her address world leaders both at COP25 and COP26 summits. Vanessa is a well-known East African climate activist from Kampala, Uganda. She was inspired...
Can Rishi Sunak rebuild UK’s green agenda after Truss?
Succeeding the brief tenure of Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak’s appointment as prime minister is seen by several environmental groups as something of an improvement. Can the damage be repaired? Early trepidations about Liz Truss’ tunnel vision approach to boosting the economy (at the expense of the environment) were instantly confirmed upon her appointment. Lasting little more than a month, Truss’ haphazard reign soured years of good relations with environmental pillars...
Cost of living crisis fuelling a rise in eating disorders
A charity has warned that the number of people struggling with a ‘morbid preoccupation with food’ is likely to soar as basic necessities become increasingly unaffordable across the country. According to Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity, around 1.25 million British citizens are suffering from anorexia, bulimia, or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder at any one time. This figure increased significantly among young people and children during the pandemic, 10,000...
Sierra Leone gives citizens veto power over large-scale projects
Under new laws, the West African nation will allow local communities to have a direct say in whether environmentally destructive mining, farming, and industrial projects get to move forward. In what’s being referred to as a ‘globally unprecedented’ move to protect the environment, Sierra Leone is giving local communities veto power over large-scale industrial projects from mines to factories and farms. Not only this, but the government will have to help...
Biden pardons all federal offences of simple marijuana possession
In a surprise move just a month before midterm elections, the President announced on Thursday that he’s taking considerable steps to overhaul America’s cannabis laws. On Thursday, President Biden took steps to overhaul US policy on marijuana by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple cannabis possession. Initiating a review of how the drug is classified, he hopes that his executive action will relieve the ‘collateral’ consequences of prior...
