EU agrees landmark ban of plastic waste exports to poorer nations
The EU will ‘finally assume responsibility’ for the horrendous volume of plastic waste it exports to poorer nations, reads a statement attached to a landmark ban slated to be in effect by 2026. The ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach hasn’t proven too effective for the EU and its...
Current in Planet
Richest 1% emit as much pollution as two-thirds of humanity
According to a recent report on climate inequality conducted by Oxfam, the planet-heating carbon emissions generated by the world’s wealthiest surged to 5.9 billion tonnes in 2019 – enough to cause 1.3 million excess deaths due to extreme heat. The richest 1% of humanity are responsible for around the...
2023 is officially the hottest year in the last 250,000 years
Two new reports confirm 2023 to be the hottest year in modern history. We are living through global warming in real time. This week, it was confirmed that 2023 is the hottest year in the past 125,000 years – meaning we’ve already lived through the warmest 12 months in human history...
UN report labels future fossil fuel ventures ‘insanity’ projects
The world’s biggest petrostates, including Saudia Arabia, the US, and the UAE are planning major expansions to fossil fuel projects. The UN has called these agendas a move of ‘insanity’ that would ‘throw humanity’s future into question.’ You know what else this world needs? A lot more carbon emissions. Well, not...
Earth’s salt cycle is fast becoming a serious problem
Humanity’s excessive salt production is reportedly throwing Earth’s natural balance off-kilter. Is this yet another ‘existential threat’ caused by modern consumerism? If something is ‘salt of the Earth’ it is good and honest – ironically the opposite of humanity when talking our ecological impact on the planet. Anthropogenic climate change is...
How polar bears became a controversial symbol of the climate crisis
Though the idea of polar bears ceasing to exist might motivate people to care about climate change, how accurate is this imagery in conveying a message about a global issue that affects us all? It’s International Polar Bear Week, which aims to bring awareness to a species that many of...
How forest protection is integral to tackling climate change
According to a new Nature study, protecting forests globally could potentially capture an additional 226 gigatons of planet-warming carbon, equivalent to about a third of the amount that humans have released since the beginning of the Industrial Era. If you weren’t already aware, forests play a critical role in the survival of humanity, acting as natural shields that safeguard us from our own inherently destructive impact on the environment. Hugely effective...
Should COP28 really be led by an oil tycoon?
The world’s biggest climate change summit is being run by the head of an oil company. What does this mean for a fossil fuel free future? ‘What’s the point in our climate summits if they’re being undermined by a shadow network of fossil fuel lobbying?’ This question, asked by a campaigner to Global Citizen, is one that’s resounded amongst climate activist networks since it was announced in January that Sultan Al...
New research sparks hope for the future of artificial coral reefs
The hard work and dedication of teams working on coral reef restoration projects are finally being met with positive results, according to a new study by The Conversation. This summer was a particularly devastating one for one of the planet’s rarest and most fragile ecosystems – coral reefs. In September 2023, Earth's average temperature exceeded the critical 1.5C threshold, momentarily breaching the limit set by world leaders who have promised to...
Denmark’s plant-based roadmap sees massive success
The Danish government published a plan that gives insight into how it will transition toward widespread plant-based alternative foods in 2021. The first round of funding applications has been massively oversubscribed. Denmark has seen huge success in its efforts to transition into plant-based foods nationwide. Proposals were published by the Danish Ministry of Food as part of the political agricultural agreement in 2021. In the plan, the government said it...
