How are political disputes shaping the Arctic’s future?
With its vast resources becoming increasingly accessible, Arctic exploitation has caused notable geopolitical unrest. Nestled within the territories of eight different countries, the Arctic Circle is home to a population of 4 million people. Yet, it is the allure of the region's vast untapped resources that has captivated the ambitions...
Current in Planet
Study shows recycling can release huge quantities of microplastics
Billed as a key solution to the climate crisis, recycling could be releasing huge quantities of microplastics itself, according to a new study. The vast majority of our plastic waste winds up in landfill, bonfires, and in our natural environment, but how efficiently is the 9% that is recycled...
70% of California beaches could reportedly vanish by the century’s end
Geological researchers believe California’s beaches could diminish by up to 70% by the year 2100. Satellite data collected over two decades is now being peer reviewed. The Golden State may lose some of its glorious sheen, thanks to the impacts of climate change. Globally famed for its sprawling beaches and ceaseless...
New Zealand unveils its biggest emissions reduction plan in history
Set to involve transitioning from coal to renewable electricity at the country’s major steel plant, the project will – according to the government – be equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road. As we inch closer towards the 1.5°C temperature threshold, countries across the globe are finding themselves...
The UN releases new roadmap to halting plastic pollution
The United Nations has published a new report which states that ending plastic production could save the planet £3.6 trillion in under two decades. Its four-point approach aims to reduce the health and environmental problems stemming from plastic use. Though plastic is a cheap and versatile material, its widespread use...
Over half of the world’s lakes are shrinking
According to a new study, climate change’s hotter temperatures and society’s diversion of water have been shrinking the world’s lakes by trillions of gallons of water a year since the early 1990s. In the past 30 years, more than half of the world’s large lakes and reservoirs have shrunk due...
‘Oceans’ reveals worst polluted beaches in the UK
UK beaches are riddled with plastic pollution. Toilet paper company Oceans has discovered the top worst affected beaches and are campaigning to spread awareness. There are 5000 pieces of plastic & 150 plastic bottles for each mile on UK beaches, while 88% of the sea's surface is polluted by plastic waste. Humans have produced over 320 million tonnes of plastic, creating 500 dead zones, which will double every decade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQjp_phj1s&ab_channel=Channel4News With...
Greenpeace ranks European countries’ private jet activity
We’re well-accustomed to hearing about American billionaire celebrities and their carbon-spewing private jets lately, but which European countries are facilitating the most private jet departures? Greenpeace investigates. You might think that because the general public now knows how emission-heavy private jets are, those privileged enough to charter them would be guilt-tripped into cutting back on their dirty habit. Wrong. Analysis conducted by Greenpeace identified a 64 percent increase in private jet...
BP’s oil spill highlights the human impact of environmental crises
Thirteen years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, those who helped clean it up are suffering from mental and physical illness. The disruption of their daily lives should disrupt ours, too. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill unleashed an environmental catastrophe, causing irreparable damage to ecosystems and communities. A recent Guardian investigation has explored the long-term impacts of the disaster, highlighting the human devastation that still ripples thirteen years...
This year’s G7 summit explained
G7 countries are economic, political heavyweights with the power to tackle urgent global issues. If you look back at past G7 Summit agendas, you’ll see many of the same themes: reducing inequality, promoting women’s equality, and advancing global security among them. This year, the to-do list for the leaders of seven of the world’s economic and political heavyweights is long — from taking meaningful action on climate change, to tackling the...
