Sandra Laville

Water should be in the hands of parliament and the public, according to the Labour MP. Photograph: Loop Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Labour MP Clive Lewis to argue for nationalisation and public involvement in management of water companies

The UK's rivers contain a cocktail of chemicals and stimulants including caffeine, antidepressants and painkillers from water company sewage

Exclusive: Researchers find 61% of fresh waters in the UK contain high levels of phosphate and nitrate

The environment secretary has caused a backlash among groups demanding an end to the pollution of rivers by water companies, after a direct appeal ahead of a demonstration backfired.

Steve Reed’s letter to campaign groups ahead of demonstration met with anger from those who say he has ignored the key issue of privatisation

Plastic pollution is changing the processes of the entire Earth system, exacerbating climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, and the use of freshwater and land, according to scientific analysis.

Sandra Laville 3 min read The physical shocks caused by climate breakdown will hit global economic growth by a third, according to a risk assessment by a network of central banks.

Plastic pollution isn’t just an eyesore or a waste issue — it's a crisis reshaping our entire planetary system, from our oceans to human health, as scientists urge global treaty action to rein in production.

Plastic pollution is changing the processes of the entire Earth system, exacerbating climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, and the use of freshwater and land, according to scientific analysis.