The major changes cities need to withstand a warmer planet
With record breaking heatwaves enveloping cities across the world, identifying adaptive measures to cope with the climate crisis has never looked more vital. As I write to you today, I am surrounded by evidence of unfruitful attempts to stay cool: fans, a water-misting bottle, and cold brew coffee rapidly...
Current in Planet
Dubai builds world’s largest vertical farm
The city known for importing almost all of its produce will now grow 2 million pounds of leafy greens each year inside the world’s largest vertical farm. As the world begins to turn its back on oil in favour of green energy, the United Arab Emirates must follow suit or...
The challenges and opportunities of a growing global population
Before the year is up, the global human population is expected to surpass the 8 billion mark. Along with it will come environmental challenges, but also an opportunity to diversify the global economy. The United Nations global population projection estimates we will reach a global population of 8 billion people...
‘Forever chemicals’ have made rainwater ‘unsafe to drink’
A new study has uncovered that rainwater almost everywhere on Earth has unsafe levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances which are hazardous for both people and planet. In even the most remote parts of the world, the level of ‘forever chemicals’ in the atmosphere has become so high that...
Study reveals five countries owe over $6 trillion in climate damages
With economic figures quantified in a new report, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters could finally be held accountable for the environmental damage they’ve inflicted upon the poorest regions. It’s no secret that the climate crisis has been primarily fuelled by the world’s wealthiest nations. These countries have historically reaped...
Europe is suffering its worst drought in decades
This year, Europe has seen summers more blistering than ever before. A product of global heating, experts have warned that resulting water shortages are set to become ‘the new normal.’ Amid one of Europe’s driest summers in living memory and as several countries brace for yet another unprecedented heatwave, drought...
Will limits on Faroe Islands whale hunt numbers work?
Campaigners believe government-initiated caps on the number of white-sided dolphins allowed to be slaughtered at Grindadráp will not be sufficient for safeguarding local pods. Global attitudes towards whaling have shifted massively over the last few decades, with a majority of political leaders and citizens believing that cetaceans should be protected under international conservation laws. Despite this, the World Population Review reports that three countries continue to hunt whales for profit...
Thousands of fossil fuel projects are still protected by treaties
Over the past 50 years, countries have signed thousands of treaties worth billions that may scupper global efforts to phase out fossil fuels. These agreements allow investors to sue governments for compensation if projects are axed. Fully transitioning to a renewable world, unfortunately, may not be simple as merely cancelling all outstanding fossil fuel leases. That’s because the conglomerates that once stood to profit massively from these projects, will not just...
Ecovado offers a solution to our unsustainable avocado obsession
A graduate student at London’s Central Saint Martins has developed an environmentally friendly alternative to avocados that’ll fulfil our breakfast cravings while being kinder to the planet. Maybe if we all stopped buying avocado toast, we’d have enough money to afford a house someday – right? Well, that seems to be the resounding message whenever Gen Z and Millennials complain about the rising cost of living. While blaming our...
How are abortion rights tied to climate justice?
The United States Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling that safeguarded the right to have an abortion. This now leaves a greater number of people exposed and vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Known commonly as Roe v Wade, overturning such now leaves the legality of abortion up to the states to decide. As a result, up to half of all US states will likely ban abortion in the...
