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Biomass – to burn or not to burn, that is the question…

Campaigning, Climate Change, Energy, Greenwashing April 5, 2023

Biomass energy (energy generated from organic material such as plants, wood, and waste) has long been a contentious issue amongst environmentalists, scientists, and governments. Interested parties claim it is a “carbon neutral, renewable” energy source, because the trees being burnt absorb carbon during their lifetime and during regrowth. However, this has been debunked on numerous occasions. Environmental campaigners continue to fight for biomass to be downgraded and for subsidies to be stopped. 

1,000 “super-emitter” methane leaks detected

Climate Change, Fossil Fuels March 8, 2023

What’s going on here? Over a thousand methane emissions hotspots have been detected from new satellite data. The emissions appear to come from gas and oil facilities, with the US, Russia and Turkmenistan responsible for the most. In 2022 these “super-emitter” sites were shown spewing methane into the atmosphere at alarming rates. What does this mean? These emissions hotspots are caused by…

Landmark lawsuit against Shell

Climate Change, Energy, Fossil Fuels, Greenwashing, Injustice, Pollution February 15, 2023

What’s going on here? Oil and gas giant, Shell, is facing legal action on multiple fronts – including a landmark lawsuit which is the first notable one of its kind. The new lawsuit will target Shell’s senior leadership directly. What does this mean? Shell’s board of directors is being sued by Client Earth, an environmental law charity, on the grounds that they…

Germany – energy vs. the environment

Campaigning, Climate Change, Energy, Fossil Fuels January 18, 2023
Lützerath and Garzweiler coal mine

Back in 2021 Germany was celebrating the election of a new coalition government (which includes the Green party) and hopes were high for a new era of environmental action. But now, Germany, like much of Europe, is struggling with energy supply issues due to the war on Ukraine. As a result, it looks extremely likely that climate policies will fall, as short term solutions for this more immediate issue take priority. A small town called Lützerath has become a key site in this battle between energy and the environment…

Carbon neutral claims based on ‘useless’ offsets, reveals Bloomberg

Climate Change, Finance, Greenwashing, Renewable Energy November 29, 2022
wind farm

What’s going on here? Many large companies, including airlines and energy companies – notoriously big emitters – claim to be carbon neutral. They do so by purchasing carbon offsets: paying to reduce carbon somewhere else to compensate for their own emissions. But a new report by Bloomberg Green uncovers that these offsets are mostly low quality, and potentially useless. What does this…

A golden floating rainforest in the sea with no coastline

Biodiversity, Fishing, Oceans, Plastic Pollution, Renewable Energy November 8, 2022
Blue open ocean to horizon

Nestled in the bottom corner of the North Atlantic, circling Bermuda, you’ll find a sea with no coastline. Forming part of the High Seas, the Sargasso Sea is brimming with mystery and magic. Perhaps it’s the proximity to the famed Bermuda Triangle; perhaps it’s that few seem to have heard of the sea, despite its importance. Or perhaps it’s what bobs on…

A de-facto windfall tax on renewables? 

Climate Change, Energy, Government, Renewable Energy October 26, 2022

What’s going on here? Earlier this month the UK Government introduced the Energy Prices Bill to the House of Commons. The bill would give the Government emergency powers, intended to help households and businesses with increasing energy costs. What does this mean? In light of massive energy price rises, many have welcomed the financial support for consumers and businesses. But, industry and…

The UK government is gearing up to approve a huge climate-wrecking oil field – We must #StopRosebank

Campaigning, Climate Change, Energy, Fossil Fuels September 20, 2022

Guest Article by Jessica Kleczka The UK could approve the biggest undeveloped oil field in the North Sea in the next few weeks. The Rosebank oil field is located off the coast of Shetland, and three times the size of the nearby Cambo oil field, which was paused after a successful campaign last year. Rosebank is owned by Norwegian state-owned oil company…