Organised crime is a hidden yet major contributor to deforestation
When someone mentions deforestation, you probably think of beef production or the wood industry as being most culpable. A key driver that often goes under the radar, however, is organised crime like drug trafficking and illegal logging. Almost a year on from COP26, there’s definitely work to be done to...
Current in Planet
New UK prime minister renews concern over climate nihilism
Since the anointment of Liz Truss as the new Conservative prime minister, a renewed lack of clarity around the continuation of vital research funding and climate measures has experts worried. UK citizens are understandably preoccupied with policies impacting the immediate future. Eco experts, however, are looking to the long term...
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...
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 the economic and social benefits of destroying entire ecosystems to obtain limited natural resources such as oil and gas, while...
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 alerts have been issued for much of the continent. The warnings come after reports that the record-breaking temperatures registered in July...
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...
