Jamie Hailstone

A new Lancet Countdown report reveals climate change severely impacts food security in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), despite their minimal global emissions. An estimated 2.7 million more people in 26 SIDS now face moderate to severe food insecurity due to increased heatwaves and droughts. These nations, highly dependent on food imports and lacking adequate climate finance, are experiencing rising food prices and strained supply chains. Experts warn this serves as an early indicator for global food systems, stressing that degraded ecosystems worsen climate shocks. Investing in nature is crucial for building resilient food systems, combating malnutrition, and preventing economic decline.

The UK's June heatwave caused 24 million lost working hours and a £1.15 billion economic hit, according to new research from the Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and CMCC. A survey of 1,950 adults revealed an average 0.47-hour reduction in work per person, with 3.6% of workers not working at all due to the heat. Experts warn that rising CO2 levels will increase heatwave frequency and intensity, necessitating both emissions reduction and adaptation strategies. While adaptation measures like flexible working can mitigate losses, extreme heat exacerbates inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, younger workers, and those with existing health conditions. Other reports also underscore the escalating economic costs and the 'new normal' of climate extremes, with heat, flooding, and drought posing major risks.

A new analysis reveals over 58,000 tonnes of microfibres from textile production leak into the environment annually, primarily during wet processing like washing and dyeing. Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan are major contributors to this environmental leakage, largely due to varying wastewater treatment and sludge containment practices. The report by Earth Action emphasizes that while wastewater treatment significantly reduces microfibre pollution in water, captured fibres must undergo controlled sludge disposal to prevent relocation to land. Integrating advanced wastewater treatment with well-managed sludge disposal is crucial for substantial reductions. Experts suggest a combined approach, including production changes, could cut microfibre leakage by 95%, urging collective action from brands, mills, and governments to address this pervasive issue.

New research reveals that the largest disparities in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution are between countries, not within them. A study by Lutz Sager shows global inequality increased from 2000-2020, with Asia and Africa facing rising pollution while Europe and North America improved. The global Gini index for PM2.5 exposure reached 0.35, surpassing income inequality in many nations. This disproportionately impacts a "choking billion" people, primarily in India, China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who endure extremely high pollution levels. Experts note the health burden is even more unequally distributed than the exposure itself, yet air pollution receives minimal global philanthropy, with funds often misdirected, highlighting an urgent need for targeted investment in highly affected regions.

Parts of the shipping industry are partnering with environmental scientists to monitor ocean plastic pollution.

Record heatwaves across the U.K and Europe this summer have inflicted substantial economic costs, highlighted by two new reports

The area affected by wildfires across Europe could almost triple by the end of the century, according to a new analysis.

An adaptation blueprint for embedding climate adaptation into major soccer tournament infrastructure, funding and legacy programmes has been launched by the non-profit Football for Future.

The record for the average sea surface temperature for the oceans around the world for the month of August was broken on Saturday (22 August).

Discarded plastic bottles and caps are the most found litter on beaches and waterways worldwide, according to a new survey.