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April News

  • Apr 4
  • 5 min read
April News
April News


  1. Poor countries say rich world betraying them over climate pledges on shipping

Poor countries have accused wealthy nations of betraying their climate commitments during critical negotiations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on decarbonising shipping. The proposal under discussion suggests that ships pay a levy based on their emissions, with proceeds funding climate action in vulnerable countries. However, powerful economies like China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia oppose this levy, fearing it could increase consumer prices. The EU is also considering a compromise that could dilute the proposal.


Shipping is responsible for over 2% of global emissions, and the levy is seen as a crucial funding source for poor nations suffering from climate-related disasters. Small island states, such as the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, argue that the levy would have minimal impact on consumer prices and stress that it is essential for fairness and climate justice.


Despite concerns about trade impacts, experts suggest that the levy would only slightly increase shipping costs, with minimal effects on product prices.

The negotiations are the culmination of years of efforts to address carbon emissions from shipping, but with the talks nearing their end, there is concern that the rich world may backslide on commitments, jeopardising the progress made.




  1. An Italian village learnt to live with its neighbouring Bears after a long time of conflict.


Pettorano sul Gizio, a medieval mountain town in Italy's Abruzzo region, is facing significant depopulation, with its population dropping from 5,000 in 1920 to just 390 today. The town is marked by abandonment, but its unique focus on protecting the endangered Marsican brown bear is bringing it new life. These bears, which have historically clashed with locals due to raiding crops, have become a symbol of conservation efforts in the area.


In 2015, Pettorano sul Gizio became Italy's first "bear-smart" community, installing electric fences, bear-proof bins, and educating residents on coexisting with the animals. This initiative has drastically reduced bear-related damage, with no incidents reported since 2020. As a result, the town has attracted a new generation of young people involved in nature restoration and eco-tourism, with an increasing number of tourists and even new residents.


The town's bear-friendly approach has revitalised both the local economy and community spirit, with businesses catering to nature-loving visitors. While tourism is growing, the hope is to encourage long-term residents to remain, making the town not just a tourist destination, but a place where people can thrive alongside nature.




  1. Global warming is ‘exposing’ new coastlines and islands as Arctic glaciers shrink

A new study reveals that between 2000 and 2020, retreating glaciers in the Arctic exposed 2,500 km of new coastline and created 35 new islands, according to satellite data of over 1,700 glaciers across Greenland, Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, Russian Arctic, Iceland, and Svalbard. The retreat of these glaciers, largely driven by rising temperatures, resulted in an average of 123 km of new coastline each year, with glaciers like Zachariae Isstrom in Greenland contributing significantly to this change.


While glacier melt has led to the formation of new coastlines, these areas are more prone to erosion and landslides, which could trigger dangerous tsunamis, as highlighted by the study. The research also emphasizes the potential ecological impacts, with the newly exposed coastlines possibly becoming important ecosystems that could influence the global carbon cycle.


The study also raises concerns about the lack of permafrost in these new areas, making them more susceptible to erosion, and suggests that glacier melt may threaten biodiversity hotspots, endangering species such as seals and Arctic birds. Further in-depth local risk assessments are necessary to understand the potential hazards these changes pose to both human communities and ecosystems in the Arctic.




  1. How can human behaviour shape effective climate policies?

The article, written by Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, explores how human behaviour plays a crucial role in achieving climate goals. It highlights that technological advancements alone won't be enough to meet the UK's and global climate targets, and behaviour change in individuals and businesses is essential for reaching net-zero emissions. Key areas requiring behavioural change include reducing car use, eating less red meat, cutting waste, and adopting electric vehicles.


The article discusses various psychological and sociological theories on behaviour change and concludes that social and practical factors, like norms, price, and ease, are more effective in influencing actions than individual knowledge or values. It also emphasises that interventions should target both individual and contextual factors, with examples such as "nudges" (e.g., defaulting consumers to green energy tariffs) being more effective than informational campaigns.


Professor Whitmarsh stresses the importance of public engagement in shaping policies that encourage behaviour change. Interventions must be timely, targeted, and combine different approaches, such as regulations and incentives. Finally, the article calls for more government action to create supportive policies that remove barriers to behaviour change and help accelerate the transition to a net-zero future.




  1. Are Critical Mineral Mines Better Than Fossil Fuels? Overall, Yes—But Only If We Do It Right


As the world shifts to renewable energy, mining for the materials needed—like cobalt, nickel, and lithium—is causing serious environmental and social concerns. From deforestation in Indonesia to water depletion in South America, and from child labor in the Congo to Indigenous land conflicts in the Philippines, the impacts are real and troubling.


This raises an important question: Is renewable energy actually better for the planet than sticking with fossil fuels?


Experts say yes, but it's not that simple. Fossil fuels continuously release greenhouse gases and require constant extraction, causing ongoing environmental damage. In contrast, solar panels and wind turbines only need materials once during construction and then generate clean energy for decades. This means over time, we’d need less mining overall compared to continuously extracting coal, oil, and gas.

In fact, a 2023 study from the Netherlands found that even with a massive increase in demand for energy-transition metals, global mining would drop by a third due to reduced coal use in a net-zero emissions scenario by 2050.


Most mining isn't even for energy tech—it’s for metals like iron and aluminum used in construction and everyday products. Critical minerals for clean energy make up just a small part of global mining.

And unlike fossil fuels, metals can be reused. Recycling electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels could reduce new mining needs by another third. Shifting to public transit and prioritizing reuse over new production would also reduce the burden.


Companies are starting to adapt. Tesla and other automakers are turning to batteries that avoid cobalt and nickel. Engineers are finding ways to extract valuable minerals from old mine waste. Even early-stage research is exploring recovery from ocean water, plants, and space.


Bottom line: clean energy mining has its challenges, but it’s still a better path forward—if we approach it responsibly. That means smarter sourcing, widespread recycling, and thoughtful consumption. As one expert put it, “The transition needs to happen—but we have to be strategic, smart, and responsible.”




  1. Colombia Establishes First Protected Territory for Isolated Indigenous People


Colombia has created a groundbreaking protected territory in the Amazonas region to safeguard the uncontacted Indigenous Yuri-Passé people. Spanning over 1 million hectares between the Caquetá and Putumayo Rivers, this is the country's first area specifically designed to protect Indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation.


The territory bans economic development and forced human contact and includes a buffer zone to minimize disturbances. Its creation follows years of advocacy by conservationists and Indigenous communities, and builds on a 2018 decree allowing special protection zones.


Local Indigenous communities played a leading role in the effort, marking a significant step toward self-determined conservation and protection of isolated groups. The region is also rich in biodiversity, though the absence of park rangers due to threats from organised crime remains a concern.

Advocates hope this new recognition will prompt increased government support and protection for both the forest and its inhabitants.






We totally recommend you read the full articles for more details.

Monthly news will be back in May :)

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