Also: The environmental consequences of the Iran war
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Hello and welcome back to our weekly climate newsletter. This week, we sat down exclusively with UK Climate Minister Katie White — and her message is clear: net zero is working, but the government needs to start saying so much louder. Despite rising populist pressure, cost-of-living concerns, and the noise of the Iran war dominating the political conversation, the UK is quietly on track to meet its 2050 net zero target. Wind energy is soaring, the country's last coal-fired power station closed in 2024, and the Labour government's 2030 clean electricity target remains within reach. The Climate Change Committee says the goal is achievable — provided the government holds its nerve. White, who spent two decades in climate advocacy before entering parliament, says the problem isn't the policy — it's the narrative. Too many progressives, she argues, have grown reticent about making the case for climate action, and that silence is being filled by sceptics. "Net zero is a good thing for the British economy, for British security, and for the climate," she tells The Independent. "And we absolutely need to start shouting about this again." She also has some striking things to say about the Iran war, climate aid cuts, and why the economic case for the green transition has never been stronger. Click here to read the full interview |
Climate minister Katie White on a site visit in Yorkshire, not far from her Leeds North West constituency (Shaun Curry) |
|
|
Alpha-gal syndrome is spreading in the US. Here's what to know about the tick-borne illness that can cause fatal red meat allergies |
Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne illness that can cause people to develop a life-threatening allergy to red meat, is spreading across the US. Warmer weather linked to human-caused climate change is expanding habitats that are hospitable to ticks tied to alpha-gal syndrome. Ticks like warm, humid and shaded environments. Researchers estimate that as many as 450,000 Americans may be living with the syndrome, most of whom are unaware they are affected until sudden and concerning allergic reactions occur. Read more |
|
|
Asia boosts coal use as Iran war squeezes global LNG supplies |
Asian countries are turning to coal as the Iran war disrupts oil and gas shipments. The continent is exposed because it relies on imported fuel, much of it passing through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. LNG is a natural gas cooled to liquid form for easy storage and transport. It has been promoted as a bridge fuel in the shift from oil and coal to cleaner energy sources. The U.S. has sought to expand exports of LNG across Asia. It burns cleaner than coal, but still emits climate change-causing gases, especially methane. The war has countries shifting back to coal to cover LNG shortfalls. India is burning more coal to meet higher summer demand. South Korea has lifted caps on electricity from coal. Indonesia is prioritizing using its domestic supply. Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are boosting coal-fired power. Read more |
| |
That's the number of US states that have smashed heat records in the US, as a gigantic heat dome that's baked the Southwest is creeping eastward now. Read more |
|
|
| Looking for ethical fashion? SANVT is a highly sustainable brand known for premium, long-lasting essentials – sign up to their newsletter and get 10% off your first order. |
|
|
The Independent has launched a project to investigate the impact of foreign aid cuts on the developing world. The project receives funding from the Gates Foundation. All of the journalism is editorially independent. |
|
|
Don't forget to complete your registration |
We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience. |
By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including: |
- Limited access to Premium articles
- Access to The Independent app
- Access to more than 20 newsletters
- Commenting on independent.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's climate newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's climate newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.