Environment
In pics – Temperature maps show the ‘fireball’ globe breaking weather records in 2018
Above average heat being felt in many areas of the world
Deadliest year on record for land and environmental defenders
Global Witness today reveals that at least 207 land and environmental defenders were killed last year – indigenous leaders, community activists and environmentalists murdered trying to protect their homes and communities from mining, agribusiness and other destructive industries. Severe limits on the data available mean the global total is probably much higher. Murder is the most egregious example of a range of tactics used to silence defenders, including death threats, arrests, intimidation, cyber-attacks, sexual assault and lawsuits. The report “At What...
Over half of homeless families across England are in work, charity warns
The homelessness crisis in the UK has been highlighted, once again, by charity Shelter. A FOI request has found that over 33,000 families are holding down a job even though they are in unstable temporary accommodation. Back in 2013 there were 19,000 families in this position. The increase is an astonishing 73 per cent. One single mother, Mary Smith, has bravely spoken out about how she fell on hard times and ended up in temporary accommodation. Mary and her three...
Planting trees on vacant urban land ‘reduces feelings of depression and improves overall mental health of local residents’
Researchers say that revitalising rundown and dilapidated areas of towns and cities may be an important - and cheap - way to address crime and mental health issues
Plastic food packaging contains hundreds of different toxic chemicals including those that cause cancers
Plastic used in trays, wrappings around fruit and vegetables and cheeses and other food packets had 4,283 individual chemicals of which 148 highly hazardous substances.
Collapse of Antarctic ice shelves ‘would raise global sea levels by an inch – threatening coastal towns and cities’
Scientists have shown how much sea level would rise if Larsen C and George VI - two Antarctic ice shelves at risk of collapse - were to break up
Cannabis ‘can act as a treatment for cancer’
Researchers say that naturally occurring compounds in the plant may stop cancer cells from spreading and block tumour blood supplies
Charity sets up contactless terminals to make it easier for public to donate to homeless
Cambridge Street Aid has set up 'giving points' for the homeless
Eco-friendly whippet becomes latest addition to UK’s war on plastic
Nine-month-old Willow picks up discarded plastic bottles during morning walks in West Park, Goole