Climate catastrophising risks shutting down vital debate July 9, 2019 In April, the cry of climate catastrophe seized the political agenda. A trinity of David Attenborough documentaries, Greta Thunberg-inspired school strikes, and Extinction Rebellion protests took over both traditional and social media. It was the only subject driving the zombie government’s agenda forward when, Trump-like, environment secretary Michael Gove watched Blue Planet 2 and tweeted [...]
UK passes law to slash greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050 June 27, 2019 The UK has enshrined in law a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050, becoming the first major economy to legislate to curb its global warming contribution. That compares with a previous target to slash greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels. Read more: Is there any merit to [...]
City voices anger at John McDonnell’s ‘financial totalitarianism’ climate change plans June 25, 2019 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell sent shockwaves through the Square Mile last night amid warnings that his plans to tackle climate change could undermine the entire financial system. In a speech to trade body UK Finance, McDonnell promised a future Labour government would delist companies with poor green credentials from the London Stock Exchange. Read more: [...]
Labour to launch inquiry into ‘shadow banking’ that funds anti-environment industries June 24, 2019 Labour is launching an inquiry into “shadow banking” in a bid to crack down on investment that fuels industries contributing to climate change. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell announced the the investigation in a speech to UK Finance on Monday as he talked up Labour’s green credentials. McDonnell praised the actions of the Extinction Rebellion protestors [...]
Heathrow airport reveals third runway ‘masterplan’ June 18, 2019 The masterplan for Heathrow’s £14bn third runway will be revealed to the public for the first time today, alongside its largest-ever consultation into the project. The airport will reveal how it plans to reduce emissions and noise – two areas that campaigners have circled out as areas of concern – as well as a proposed [...]
Square Mile to get electric charging hub by end of year as part of Sadiq Khan’s EV push June 17, 2019 The Square Mile is to get a new electric charging hub by the end of this year as part of Sadiq Khan’s push to expand London’s electric vehicle infrastructure. The London mayor has today set out plans to deliver five flagship charging points over the next few years, with the first one installed in the [...]
Can Amazon really be a climate change champion? June 12, 2019 Amazon is not a company normally associated with meaningful strides towards a low carbon future. Although e-commerce is typically better for the environment than heavily air-conditioned, high street stores, speedy deliveries carry a high carbon cost. Any Amazon shopper may feel a pang of guilt – as I have – at using the one day delivery [...]
D-Day offers some perspective for anyone consumed with the current ‘national crisis’ June 7, 2019 On Monday, I took part in BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week, which this week focused on the concept of a national crisis – and how countries get out of it. Academic and author Jared Diamond’s new book Upheaval draws parallels between how an individual deals with a personal crisis to how nations overcome them. [...]
Extinction Rebellion threatens to use drones in 10-day Heathrow airport shutdown in third runway protest May 31, 2019 Climate protest group Extinction Rebellion has threatened to shut down London’s Heathrow airport for as long as 10 days this summer in protest at plans to build a third runway. Read more: Police charge 71 in relation to Extinction Rebellion protests The climate change activists will protest at the airport on 18 June before a [...]
Greenpeace activists blockade BP’s London offices in climate change protest May 20, 2019 Environmental protesters have blockaded BP’s central London headquarters this morning as they claim “this is a climate emergency”. Read more: Extinction Rebellion founder wants to upend the UK's financial sector Greenpeace activists have set up five steel containers outside all entrances to BP’s offices in St James's Square, W1. On Twitter, the group said: “Volunteers have [...]