Category: Reviews

Government shows lack of urgency on climate crisis

Barry White

The UK is not ready for the unavoidable impacts of global warming, the government’s advisers on climate change say in a new report https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WEB-Progress-in-adapting-to-climate-change-2023-Report-to-Parliament.pdf . The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) which reviews the government’s adaptation plans on tackling and preparing for climate change said the government hasn’t achieved any of its targets and needed a policy “step change” to avoid loss of life.

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Time is running out on the climate crisis

Barry White

Today’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)  https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/ warns that time is running out on the climate crisis as rising greenhouse gas emissions push the world to the brink of irrevocable damage that only swift and drastic action can avert. It represents a final warning on the climate crisis.

The IPCC found more than 3bn people already live in areas that are “highly vulnerable” to climate breakdown, and half of the global population now experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year.

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Time off – why not watch ‘The Oil Machine’?

Barry White

In this festive season please find time to watch Emma Davie’s documentary film ‘The Oil Machine’. It’s very educational, covering the historical background as well as the environmental ramifications of oil drilling in the North Sea. It gives interviews with those from both sides of the issue, including environmental experts, executives of oil corporations as well as student activists. The film illustrates just how the black gold permeates every aspect of our lives.

You can read a review of the film (which is now in some cinemas) at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/01/the-oil-machine-review-timely-documentary-details-our-dependence-on-black-gold and watch it at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001gf42/the-oil-machine .

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Photo: Mick Holder NUJ.

Poorly insulated homes costs nearly £700 a year says report

Barry White

As the government begins distributing a £400 householders rebate this winter to lessen the impact on rising energy bills, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/400-energy-bills-discount-to-support-households-this-winter new research by the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), which represents housing organisations in the region, found that 3.8 million homes are failing to reach an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C.

Our region is home to a third of England’s fuel-poor households. Living in these poorly insulated homes costs residents at least £680 a year, the NHC’s annual Northern Housing Monitor report reveals.

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