Oli Mould looks at how climate themed movies can inspire us in ways that news stories don’t, referencing films such as Don’t Look Up or the new The End we Start From.
Count your Carbon is the first carbon calculator designed for schools, something some of us have been waiting for. There is growing interest in climate action in schools at the moment, with the government announcing that it wants schools to have a climate plan, and this will be a useful tool.
I noticed these ‘let’s eat balanced’ ads at the cinema recently and they struck me as curiously over-enthusiastic about meat. De-smog explains how the UK food industry (using government money) has set out to counter ‘veganuary’ and protect meat and dairy consumption among young adults.
Ikea’s parent company is planning an offshore wind power hub off Sweden that will produce hydrogen instead of electricity. The most interesting bit is that they suggest the oxygen created as a by-product could be injected into the sea in order to restore a marine dead zone.
Climate Herald is a website that tracks local climate action across the United States. There is lots to report, though there is not a single pin on the map from Virginia down.
Highlights from this week
Coventry’s very light rail
Light rail and trams are useful options in the sustainable travel toolbox, able to move lots of people around a city cheaply and easily. But if you’ve lived in a city that’s building them, you’ll know how disruptive it can be. I remember visiting my brother in Edinburgh over the course of years and wondering…
Elite football’s flying habit
In 2015 Arsenal made the headlines for flying to an away game in Norwich. The flight took all of 14 minutes, less time than the 17 minutes it took to drive from the airport to the stadium. A couple of Arsenal players who are known for their climate action voiced their objections and it made…
Why we need a circular economy for UK steel
Steel has been in the news in the UK recently, after the announcement of changes at Tata’s Port Talbot plant. They plan to close loss-making steel furnaces and invest instead in more sustainable electric arc furnaces that will recycle steel. The news around this has focused on the job losses in the area, and the…
The Earthbound Report 
A wonderful climate movie mixed with a documentary mixed with a human interest story was reviewed here on the Earthbound Report, I think. It’s called The Ants and the Grasshopper , by Raj Patel. In comparison, Don’t Look Up was not so strong – I stopped after the first 15 minutes. It might have gotten better, but wasn’t sure and didn’t want to risk wasting time to find out. We organized a showing around The Ants & the Grasshopper so I’ve seen it twice and can highly recommend it for ALL audiences. It’s funny in a gentle way, educational, dramatic, and visually interesting. I think it’s available on amazon.com to stream even without a Prime subscription. Do see it if you can!
I enjoyed both in different ways. I found Don’t Look Up both entertaining and enraging. And The Ants and the Grasshopper is powerfully low key and human, and I second your recommendation. My interview with the director here in case you missed it:
Yes! I wish there were more time for these discussions. Although I really should have watching the whole film before pronouncing it. Maybe it was because its opening scene featured a professor, and I’d just resigned from a teaching job. Actually, it was your interview with Raj patel that got me interested in watching and sharing the film. “Powerfully low-key and human” – per zactly.