“God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created, for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?” Pope Leo has given his first speech on the climate. He also “noted that some have chosen to deride the increasingly evident signs of climate change, to ridicule those who speak of global warming.”
Meanwhile, the US Energy Department sent an email instructing staff to avoid “terminology that you know to be misaligned with the Administration’s perspectives and priorities”, with a list of banned words that includes climate change, green, carbon and sustainability.
Britain has a target to run on 100% clean energy by 2030, and the grid continues to set new records on the way to that. So far clean energy supply has exceeded demand for 87 hours this year.
Hannah Ritchie points out some positive news that hasn’t made any headlines: record breaking harvests are expected in most parts of the world this year.
Some book news: my online bookshop, Earthbound Books, now has ebooks. I’ve been waiting for this for a while. Fill your eboots.
Latest articles
The climate actions that make a difference
When people become aware of the importance of climate change and want to do something about it, they often want to know what they can do about it. What simple actions can we do that will make a difference? There are a few things to say about this question whenever it is asked. First, it’s…
Levi’s tackles the repair skills gap
Buying quality items and repairing them when they break is one of the best antidotes to a throwaway society. Whether it’s electronics or appliances or clothing, maintaining and fixing them can keep our possessions in service for longer, reducing waste and using materials more effectively. That depends on the quality and design of the item…
Book review: The Care Economy, by Tim Jackson
The last book I read by Tim Jackson, Post Growth, saw him stepping back from what you might expect from an economist and taking a more narrative driven, philosophical approach. This latest goes even further along that road, presenting a case for care in a book that roams across history, poetry, philosophy, mythology and science.…
The Earthbound Report 
Am looking at data for Virginia’s crops. We had, between 2023 and 2024, 40 and 47% declines for corn and winter wheat yields, respectively. 12% decrease for tobacco. Increases for soybean yields by 22% and cotton, too. Need references for the past 60 months in order to see a pattern.