Natalie is a communications architect who designs strategies that incorporate storytelling for social change. She is passionate about development and has over 6 years combined experience in communications for health, education, gender equality and climate action. She is the Head of Communications at SHE Changes climate and her work has significantly supported the movement’s external growth and visibility in the gender-climate space.

How Did You Get Into Climate Advocacy?

Mamta: My passion for creating a better world led me to embrace the challenging role at SCC. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work at the grassroots level, gaining firsthand experience of how climate change impacts vulnerable communities. Witnessing the resilience and determination within these communities as they confront and overcome this crisis has been immensely inspiring. I am committed to leveraging this experience through strong advocacy at SCC, serving as a conduit to amplify the voices of these women warriors in global policymaking. I firmly believe that women not only excel as leaders but, as half of the population, they have a rightful place at the table. Addressing the leadership crisis necessitates shared leadership, and it’s time to ensure that all voices are heard and represented. I believe we in SCC are committed to that.

Natalie: My personality pulled me into the world of communications, initially learning the ropes of media communications and podcasting, before ‘accidentally’ joining the world of storytelling. I realised how fundamental stories were in shaping our perspectives and in enabling people to be part of conversations by allowing them to understand things that would otherwise be considered complex — and so with this I grew into a communications professional grounded in the power of storytelling. Joining SHE Changes Climate came out of a passion for the environment, but a curiosity to understand how equitable governance is achieved. By working closely with advocacy professionals in the climate space, I’ve been able to see how communications and even storytelling is a conduit for climate advocacy campaigning.

SHE Changes Climate’s Mission

SHE Changes Climate (we write the ‘SHE’ in uppercase for emphasis and tend to abbreviate the name as SCC) is a global movement advocating for inclusion and diversity in climate leadership and policies. We believe that women in all their diversity are active participants in climate action at grassroots level and even in leadership, and this must be reflected in global climate leadership and policies. We are committed to ensuring that women in all their diversity are included as active participants in climate leadership and policy making processes. To achieve this, we are actively campaigning for inclusion and diversity by working closely with governments to influence climate policies such that they can be more inclusive, and we collaborate with like-minded organisations to raise awareness of inequalities in climate leadership and to support women leaders in the Global South.

She Changes Climate’s Objectives

Mamta: In the coming year, we aim to bring together women leaders in different countries, providing a platform for collaborative action and knowledge exchange. We will also continue to focus on building the voices of youth in climate decision-making processes. Through this collective effort, we aspire to create increased momentum, propelling just energy transition pathways, with women at the forefront and centre.

Natalie: SCC is currently in a progressive space, having transitioned from a campaign to a movement. On the communications front, we want to keep expanding our digital community, using various creative and collaborative methods to open up more conversations about inclusion and diversity as a necessity to equitable climate action.

Does Climate Change Impact Women Differently?

Mamta: This is the basis of our movement and over the past year working in climate communications, I have seen time and again the statistics showing women as victims of climate change. This is only a fraction of the narrative and one we’ve been intentional about as we approach our external communications as movement builders and shapers. When you go out into different parts of the world where climate disasters have struck communities, women will be clearly seen as the immediate responders, the community builders and the people leading on solutions to these disasters. We often hear the phrase “women are disproportionately affected by climate change” but there’s not enough exploration on how they effectively respond. If we do this, we will understand as a society why they should be the ones designing and implementing global climate action policies.

Natalie: Climate change is affecting everyone, but not equally, women and girls, especially those in the vulnerable communities, are most susceptible to the effects of climate change, especially due to the existing inequalities that limit their access to resources and to decision making. For example, almost 80% of the world’s undernourished people depend on agriculture for their livelihood, and 75% of the world’s poorest households are directly or indirectly dependent on farming or fishing (FAO, 2009). The challenge of maintaining sustainable livelihoods in a degrading environment is also a gender sensitive issue. Women are vulnerable and produce up to 90% of rural poor’s food and face climate change, depletion of natural resources, because they are disproportionately involved in livelihood and reliant on natural resource dependent activities (WWF, 2010). Women are disproportionately affected in times of natural disaster. Most of the women lack access to information regarding floods, earthquakes, cyclones, tsunami, etc. Women mostly stay at homes during disasters as they are not trained up with coping skills like swimming, climbing trees, etc. Life saving skills are mostly taught to men and women are excluded in decision making during disasters.

In the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian ocean an average of 77 percent casualties were women because they were not taught to swim where many drowned. But as Natalie mentions it is equally important to highlight that women in these vulnerable communities are also the solution providers when provided with agency. There are several examples in the global south where women in remote vulnerable areas are leading change through several entrepreneurial initiatives engaging technology, creating awareness, educating and building momentum for a just climate action.

The Major Barriers Hindering Progress in Addressing Climate Change

Mamta: The primary hurdle lies in acknowledging the pressing nature of the crisis. Decision-makers often exhibit short-sightedness in promptly addressing urgent actions. There’s a conspicuous absence of strong leadership focus in both government and the corporate sector, with those most impacted by climate change frequently excluded from decision-making circles, relegated to mere anecdotal evidence. The intricate connection between climate and human rightsM remains inadequately grasped, perpetuating siloed thinking. Recognizing the imperative for collective action, we must unite, pooling our diverse skills and expertise to confront this crisis head-on.

Natalie: “The climate crisis is a leadership crisis.” This is the statement that has always drawn people to our campaign: it is simple but packs a powerful punch because it states that governance is fundamental in the journey of progression or lack thereof. The statement is also drawn from reflections on gender disparity in climate leadership. COP — the largest annual climate conference, has been happening for over 28 years, and in that time, only 5 women have been appointed to lead. This says a lot about where we are at and why we need to change. With more equitable governance across the different tiers of climate leadership, we can be reassured and hopeful about how we address and manage the climate crisis.

Contributing Impactful Action in Mitigating Climate Change

Mamta: From what I have learnt, one of the most impactful actions an average person can take is to reduce their carbon footprint. Mindful consumption, supporting sustainable practices, reducing waste generation, all these are simple steps leading to a larger impact.

Natalie: We hosted an intergenerational dialogue at COP28 and this was one of the questions that came up and was aptly responded by one of the women leaders in our network, Jojo Mehta of Stop Ecocide international. She said: use the resources around you. In this case resources could look like access to information online to understand the global realities associated with climate change, the movements working to resolve these challenges, and the processes of shifting climate policies. It could even be as simple as adding an eco-friendly activity into your routine or volunteering your time at a movement working to address the climate crisis. It’s these little changes or added knowledge that goes a long way to driving impact.

Advice for women looking to pursue a career in climate

Mamta: Be resilient and persistent. Find your niche-every skill is required to tackle this crisis, and at every step promote diversity and inclusion in your action

Natalie: Be curious. Read. Ask when you don’t know. And try.

Related articles: Climate Change And Mental Health: How The Younger Generation Are Being Impacted

The post Women Driving Change: A Discussion with Mamta Borgoyary and Natalie Sifuma from SHE Changes Climate appeared first on Climate Global News.

Where It All Began

Sophia, an Iranian-American, was in middle school when she witnessed the disastrous impact climate change was having on Iran. However, she quickly came to the scary realisation that people across many parts of the globe, Iran included, were not getting access to the latest climate news, statistics and reports and were being left in the dark about matters that were happening in their own countries, impacting their daily lives and futures.

“With widespread droughts and heat waves – I was shocked to find my relatives were unaware of the rapid and alarming global warming impacting the Middle East, where temperatures are rising more than twice the global average. Determined to educate my family, I translated climate science articles into Farsi.”

This was a global issue that Sophia had witnessed from her family and other climate education organisations she was volunteering with at the time. There was a shocking lack of translation programs for climate change information and she wanted to make sure that it was addressed.

“So, I founded Climate Cardinals – the first organization working to make climate education more accessible to people who don’t speak English.”

Climate Cardinals

Climate Cardinals is an international youth-led nonprofit working to make the climate movement more accessible to those who don’t speak English. They are working to educate and empower people to tackle the climate crisis.

“As the founder of Climate Cardinals, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to making environmental education more accessible to people around the world to catalyse climate action. Now that we have grown, our mission has evolved beyond translations, and we now envision a world where everyone can become a Climate Cardinal – messengers sounding the alarm on our world’s greatest threat.”

Some of Sophia’s most notable partnerships have included: working with the UNEP to translate their Youth #ForNature initiative into dozens of languages, creating the most widely distributed petition on planetary health; partnering with the Italian Government to translate the COP26 Youth4Climate manifesto into the UN Languages; collaborating with UNICEF to translate their Children’s Climate Risk Index Report into multiple Indigenous and African Languages.

Global Achievements

Sophia’s work speaks for itself. The great effort that she had put into helping people across the globe is incredible. It was wonderful to hear the statistics to truly put it in to perspective!

“In the last 4 years,  Climate Cardinals has grown to a volunteer base of 13,000+ people across 80 countries, operated by full-time and part-time staff of 15 directors and 100 team members. We partnered with Google to employ their new AI and machine learning-assisted translation tools to translate over 500,000 words of essential climate resources into 40+ languages for partners like the Yale Center for Climate Communications and United Nations Environmental Programme.”

Sophia spoke about her role as the executive director and her plans for the coming year:

“As Executive Director, I have fundraised grants from groups like Twitter, Loreal, and National Geographic and expanded our capacity to translate 1.5 million words of crucial climate resources into 100+ languages. We are using our new funding to hire full-time staff, including our chief operator, and will be launching our ambassador program with an NGO partner and our chapter program with a technology partner, all this year.”

On top fo all of her work for Climate Cardinals, Sophia’s has also spent her time working as a UN advisor. At 18, Sophia was appointed by the head of the United Nations to represent the US as the youngest member of the inaugural UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. She served for over 2 years in this role, where she attended meetings with senior UN officers and country ambassadors to exchange ideas on how the UN could drive global climate ambition and action. She also worked with the UN Foundation to host a US consultation to establish key environmental priorities that American youth wanted to communicate to educate the nation on the urgency of the climate crisis. Following this, she was appointed by the United Nations-Association as their first Advisor.

“In my role as Advisor, I provide strategic guidance and organize, promote, and host events and consultations to educate the public about the SDGs and the role they can play through UNA-USA.”

Sophia Kianni has contributed a lot to the fight against climate change. What started as Sophia wanting to help and educate her family has ended up with her educating thousands of people around the world.

The post On a Mission to Make a Difference: Sophia Kianni appeared first on Climate Global News.

Saving The World’s Seagrass

Project Seagrass is an environmental charity dedicated to advancing seagrass conservation through education, influence, research and action. Leanne has been involved since 2014, when she formally joined as one of the first directors. She was also an original trustee when they achieved charitable incorporated organisation status in 2015.

Leanne told me how she first became interested in seagrass and why she felt it was so important to focus her work on it:

“I first connected with seagrass accidentally, back in the early 2000s, researching marine resource use patterns in Indonesia for my PhD. I had no idea before then that seagrass was relied upon by so many people and that it sustained life and lifestyles to such an extent. Everywhere there is seagrass, people depend on it for food, subsistence or cultural fulfilment. It delivers human and planetary wellbeing across its range in many different ways. And that is why I was inspired to join the Project Seagrass team and to use my skills and knowledge to support a future where seagrass thrives in harmony with people.”

Saving The World’s Seagrass

Seagrass And Our Fight Against Climate Change

Climate, communities and wildlife rely on seagrass for their wellbeing. Its benefits are far-reaching, and it acts as a natural solution for both the climate and biodiversity crises. Seagrass is a wonderful nature-based solution to focus on as it addresses our climate and biodiversity issues while supporting both people and the planet.

“With Seagrass, we have a huge opportunity to drive change. Here is a habitat that has suffered extensive loss across its range over the past century. So, this is where we can put something back to help nature.”

Seagrass soaks up and stores carbon in its tissue and beneath the sediment. It is a natural carbon sink and plays a vital role in our fight against climate change. However, not all seagrasses are equal— their environment, structure and health impact their capacity to provide an effective carbon sink.

”The data on carbon sequestration and storage values is emerging for different types of meadows in different contexts. We know seagrass has huge potential under the right circumstances. Seagrass unquestionably supports very high biodiversity, and healthy seagrass meadows can support the current fight against both the climate and biodiversity crises. It also provides nutrient cycling and natural coastal support- strengthening coastlines and providing a buffer against some storms and climate-related sea level rise.”

Sadly, degradation and loss continue globally. The goal is an overall net gain in terms of extent and improved health of seagrass systems.

“We’re improving our methods of restoration all the time, and there is a lot of solid science happening at the moment that will facilitate the restoration we need at scale, which is fantastic and absolutely essential. We also still have some stunning, dense, healthy meadows teeming with life, supporting incredible biodiversity and providing that carbon storage function if undisturbed. We must do more to protect these existing and healthy systems while bringing back more of what has been lost.”

Team Work

Climate change cannot be tackled in isolation. The greatest success will be seen if ideas are pooled and people combine their knowledge and work.

“Collaboration is key for us. In terms of conservation, we all win, or we all lose together, and Project Seagrass remains an open, collaborative and sharing organisation.”

Project Seagrass has also developed a citizen science app, SeagrassSpotter, which can be used by anyone. The application is used to map and monitor seagrass across its range. It is currently available in nine different languages and active in 106 countries, with 7272 sightings recorded (as of today). They have also had over 3000 volunteers, published over 80 scientific publications and planted 2,000,000 seagrass seeds.

What is Next?

Project Seagrass has seen great success over the last ten years. More and more people are learning about seagrass and its importance, and general awareness has grown enormously since Project Seagrass was first founded. Leanne’s passion for her work shines through, and there is no doubt that Project Seagrass will continue to achieve great things.

“We will continue to develop, share and deliver restoration science and action. We will keep working on the science that is needed to improve methods, on the education and outreach that is needed to bring people on this journey with us, on the advocacy that’s needed to allow us to scale up, and on the collaborations across sectors that are so important to achieve all of this by sharing knowledge and pooling resources for that net gain.”

Leanne explained that their biggest challenge will be maintaining their momentum and staying in the public eye.

“We need to keep the momentum going. We have started something and got people’s attention; the world seems to be listening, so now is the time for us to work even harder at sharing our message on the importance of nature for humanity and why we need to do more to protect and repair our beautiful world. Seagrass, for me, is an ideal example of a habitat that we can use to demonstrate human-nature compatibility because we’re not something separate from nature; we are a part of it.”

Related articles:
Women Driving Change: A Discussion with Mamta Borgoyary and Natalie Sifuma from SHE Changes Climate

The post Seagrass And Our Fight Against Climate Change appeared first on Climate Global News.

Climate Mental Health Network

The Climate Mental Health Network (CMHN) are one organisation who are doing important work to help individuals and communities manage the emotional impacts of climate change and de-stigmatise mental health issues. The CMHN works with parents, educators and youth to get everyone involved and tackle the problems. They provide educational guides and resources for school children, promote storytelling as a way to de-stigmatise mental health and has a Gen Z advisory board which is a group who collaborates, learns and creates together.

I spoke with Sarah Newman, Executive Director of CMHN, to learn more about their work and how we can help the younger generation have a positive and happier future.

“Young people are experiencing extreme levels of loneliness, anxiety and depression already, and then you add climate change on top of that, and it’s just a multiplier effect.”

The Contributing Factors

Climate anxiety is becoming increasingly prevalent among young people. The constant barrage of alarming news about environmental degradation and its consequences can lead to feelings of helplessness and fear. Young people are growing up knowing they will inherit a planet facing escalating issues and the mammoth task of addressing and solving them. These factors combined are overwhelming and can act as a trigger for anxiety and depression.

“Young people are experiencing the impacts of climate change in their everyday lives and know that it will only worsen in their lifetimes unless dramatic global actions are taken now. This existential threat influences significant life choices, including where to live, what to study, what type of work, whether to have children and how they can most effectively address climate change. There’s also a profound sense of disappointment in institutions and governments that have failed to respond to the climate crisis adequately. All of this culminates in a range of emotions that young people are experiencing, including anger, anxiety, sadness, fear and hopelessness.”

It’s sad to hear that many young people fear the future. They are witnessing increased climate-related disasters and rising concerns about food security and access to clean water.  The uncertainty surrounding the future exacerbates mental health issues, and the thought of trying to thrive in a changing world can be challenging to process.

With the loss of biodiversity, natural habitats and even entire species, some young people experience a sense of grief for the world around them. Solastalgia is the distress induced by changes to or loss of your homeland. Many people also mourn the disappearance of iconic landscapes and the extinction of animals they grew up loving and learning about. This grief over environmental loss can contribute to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Furthermore, climate change exacerbates social inequalities, often disproportionately affecting marginalised communities. Young people from these communities can face additional stressors, including economic instability, lack of access to resources and displacement due to climate-related events. This can lead to feelings of isolation from society, further impacting mental health.

While many young people are actively engaged in climate activism, the relentless pursuit of environmental justice can take a toll on their mental health. Balancing activism with personal well-being becomes challenging, leading to burnout, exhaustion and disillusionment. Gen Zers are the first group of people who have lived in an entirely digital age. Always being online and connected can be overwhelming, with constant comparisons and seeing the highlight reel of how others are acting and living.

From a Gen Zer Perspective

It is crucial to listen to and understand the younger generation. Their views and perspectives on matters are vital when addressing mental health issues.

Zoharia Drizin, part of the GenZ advisory board for CMHN and with an MS in Sustainable Management from DePaul University, gave her views on a few points:

“ I worry the most about what having children would mean and what their lives would be like. I have always dreamed of having a child, but now I may decide against this dream. I also worry a lot about mass extinctions and their impact on animals and plants. So many plants and medicines are still being discovered, and It’s concerning that plants for important drugs could become extinct before we discover them. Further, I worry about all the people who are unjustly suffering the consequences of the climate crisis in proportion to their impact. How the climate crisis exacerbates existing geopolitical inequalities and systemic injustices.”

She also explained why we must talk about our mental health struggles and how it can make a big difference to someone by understanding that you are not alone.

“It is important to talk about the impact of climate change on mental health because I am not alone in these worries. An exceedingly uncertain future can cause lots of anxiety. I had to hit rock bottom to get to where I am now, where I let myself enjoy a warm day and set boundaries to not burn out at work. However, I still struggle at times. I know many others are in the same boat, even more so if they haven’t had the support of friends, family and therapy to get them through the initial waves of hopelessness.”

Heidi Pan, another member of the CMHN advisory board, also spoke to the point. She is a 17-year-old environmental activist from New Jersey aiming to bridge the gap between aspiring environmentalists (herself included) and established professionals; she hosts and produces 1.5 Degrees, an interview-format video and audio podcast centred around the intersections of science, policy, culture and innovation in the fight against climate change

“There is so much uncertainty, and the sheer scale of the issue and what has to be done to address it often feels overwhelming. Part of what worries me is the state of the conversation. It feels like many of us are acting as if climate change is in the future when it is already having devastating effects. I fear the irreversibility of the damage. I fear the resistance to addressing it.”

She explained why she believes it is incredibly vital that we address the mental health issues that are arising.

“This may seem oversimplified, but we are humans trying to solve an issue caused by humans. All of us have emotions and mental health. Just as we can’t address climate change healthily and properly if we all have colds or broken bones, we can’t address climate change if we neglect our mental health.”

There Is Always Hope

Sarah Newman summed it up perfectly.

“Despite everything, many young people haven’t given up hope or optimism. They tirelessly work as climate activists to create their vision of the future world. It’s inspiring.”

Young people are showing remarkable resilience and determination. Many are channelling their anxiety and fear into positive action, advocating for policy change, participating in grassroots movements and implementing sustainable practices in their communities. Finding hope in collective action or simply talking about areas of concern can be protective factors against climate-related mental health issues.

Addressing the mental health impacts of climate change on the younger generation is essential, and it involves providing access to mental health resources and support systems, empowering youth to become agents of change and implementing policies to mitigate the effects of climate change. By acknowledging and addressing the intersection of climate change and mental health, we can better support the well-being of the younger generation as they navigate an uncertain future on a rapidly changing planet.

We are all in this together, and we must support each other by discussing the issues and how they affect us mentally. It is always helpful to be open with other people, as this will not only benefit your own mental health but also allow others to understand that they are not alone in how they feel.

“Climate change and Mental health are inextricably linked. To heal the planet, we must heal ourselves.”

The post Climate Change And Mental Health: How The Younger Generation Are Being Impacted appeared first on Climate Global News.

BeFC is working to overcome this challenge and improve the future of electricity with its paper biofuel cells. They have developed an eco-friendly, sustainable energy source that can help to protect the environment, paving the way for a greener future.

The Problem

Billions of batteries are disposed of every year and a massive 97% of miniature batteries, also known as button cells, end up in landfills and leach dangerous, heavy metals into the surrounding environment. Correct waste management is a big issue with traditional batteries. When they are not disposed of correctly the toxic heavy metals- lithium, cadmium and mercury- cause environmental contamination and threaten the health of wildlife and humans.

Furthermore, the manufacturing process of batteries creates greenhouse gasses and contributes to climate change and the extraction of raw materials for the production of batteries can cause resource depletion, habitat destruction and water pollution.

The Solution: How Do These Biofuel Cells Work?

It’s just paper, sugar, Oxygen and enzymes!

BeFC’s Andrew Chilton explained:

“BeFC fuel cells generate electricity using enzymes, sugar and oxygen – in a similar way to energy being generated in the human body.”

Delving into the science a little bit more: biofuel cells are devices that convert chemical energy from organic compounds into electrical energy using a biological catalyst. They are combining biology and electrochemistry to generate clean energy. Luckily, we don’t need to understand all the science behind it, but the most important factor is the sustainability advantage.

Better For The Environment and Us

The biofuel cells are manufactured from paper and can compost (in industrial compost) quickly without leaching toxic metals into the environment. The materials are natural or bio-sourced wherever possible and they make use of recycled or repurposed by-products when this is not feasible, contributing to greater energy security. By using organic compounds as fuel, biofuel cells minimise carbon emissions and their environmental impact. BeFC’s biofuel cells do not require the use of any finite or rare earth metals, such is the issue with traditional batteries.

“All materials used in the production process are carefully assessed to ensure that they are as environmentally friendly as possible. We must be respectful of our environment. We have to look after the environment if it is going to look after us. People will not stop using technology, so we need to find ways of powering and managing these devices that respect the environment. This is a major part of BeFC’s mission.”

Biofuel cells are also safer.

“Our cells are also much safer for children. Thousands of children end up in A&E every year after consuming button cells. The lithium in them can seriously injure and even kill infants. Because our biofuel cells are made of paper and do not include toxic metals, they are safer in this respect to both the environment and children.”

Reduce Your Environmental Impact

It is 2024 and people and businesses alike are always looking for new and simple ways to reduce their environmental impact. However, people are easily put off if the change is too big or inconvenient! Individual actions, no matter how small, contribute to the health of our planet. Changing from batteries to biofuel cells could be one of those important switches to make.

“By using a product powered by a BeFC biofuel cell you will be helping the environment without doing much! This is what is so good about the product. The fact that our biofuel cells do not leach toxic metals into the environment means that you will be “passively” contributing to the management of the environment. You can continue to use your electric products but the energy source will be kinder when eventually disposed of.”

Is This The Future?

Looking ahead, the future of biofuel cells looks promising. Continued research and innovation mean that technology is always evolving and products are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. The positives of the BeFC biofuel cell are wonderful to hear and it is encouraging to think of a future where sustainable batteries could be the go-to option.

However, it can’t be the answer to all of our sustainable energy needs! They are designed (for now) for low-power applications, so there are limitations to the types of devices that they can power. There are still many challenges to overcome before biofuel cells become commonplace, but once their full potential can be discovered the benefits could be significant.

Alternatives to traditional batteries can play a crucial role in our transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Biofuel cells show an exciting fusion of biology and chemistry, providing a sustainable option for energy generation. By addressing the need for a more eco-friendly solution BeFc is helping to protect the planet and its ecosystems for the future.

“Our biofuel cells have been purposely developed to meet the demands of industry and end users, but achieve this in a way that is respectful to the environment.”

The post Wave Goodbye To Batteries: A Sustainable Energy Solution From Paper And Enzymes! appeared first on Climate Global News.

Vehicles on the road account for about one-fifth of EU CO₂ emissions. The use of e-bikes would help to reduce these figures drastically. They create no fumes or noise pollution and require much less space. Ideal for busy cities!

Could electric bikes be the future of sustainable transportation? 

Forest E-Bikes

Forest is a London-based e-bike company on a mission to build healthier and happier cities. After a pilot of 200 e-bikes in two London boroughs during the Summer of 2020, the service launched in September 2021. Since then, Forest has grown greatly, and it now covers the whole of central London with a fleet almost as large as the TfL – Santander Cycle scheme. 

Forest has the environment at the core of its values. All aspects of their operation emit zero emissions. Forest’s slogan, “the bikes that look like trees,” underscores the company’s dedication to environmental consciousness and sustainability.

Forest’s Head of Sustainability, Laura Elms, explained:

“Forest prides itself on being not only the most sustainable shared bike operator in London but also the most affordable, with a 20-minute ride being 50% cheaper than its London-based competitors.”

How is Forest Helping to Protect The Environment? 

Forest’s mission is to offer an affordable e-bike service which can replace many trips taken by carbon-emitting modes of transport, helping to improve urban air quality and reduce congestion.

The entire Forest fleet, including the service vehicles, is powered by certified renewable energy.

Elms added:

“So far, we have avoided over 500 tonnes of CO₂, which is equivalent to planting approximately 300,000 trees.”

“Forest is also the only micro-mobility provider globally to be validated by Verra and is proud to be an accredited B Corporation. The company’s commitment to the environment and society has been recognised.”

To further help the environment, in August of this year, Forest launched its ‘River Bikes’, a fleet of bright blue bikes! These e-bikes have a special purpose- 5% of all proceeds from the River Bikes are being donated to The Rivers Trust in Q1 2024. The Rivers Trust is an environmental charity which aims to restore UK rivers to health.

It is lovely to see an e-bike company considering more than just the impact of their transportation, expanding their efforts to have positive impacts across all of our natural habitats. 

What Makes Forest Unique? 

“Forest is both the most affordable and the most sustainable shared e-bike provider. To facilitate this level of affordability, Forest has a unique ad tech platform which allows partner companies to advertise their brand or services to Forest users via the bike rental app. Partner companies they have worked with have included the likes of Whole Foods Market, UPS, Nutmeg, The Financial Times and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.”

“Forest is constantly innovating to find fun ways to offer customers even more rides for less money. We recently launched ‘Forest Plus’, which allows all users to ride for 60 minutes daily (with no unlocking fees) for only £45 per month (that’s just 2.5p per minute!).”

Should We All Be Trying E-Bikes? 

Elms spoke to the point and explained why she thinks people should be giving e-bikes a try:

“The benefits of riding a Forest e-bike are threefold; it’s active, good for the environment and will save you money!”

E-bikes are environmentally friendly, affordable, and offer health benefits. It’s easy to see why they should be a big part of the future of sustainable transportation. The benefits of e-bikes are fantastic, and they are already becoming much more common and accepted in many large cities. The infrastructure for them is improving. You’ll find more bike-friendly facilities and lanes to keep you safe. 

Sustainability and Convenience is The Future

Switching to an e-bike is a significant step towards more sustainable and responsible travel. They will be essential for increasing low-carbon, convenient transportation for people. Their affordability and electric-powered design make them accessible to all. There are minimal barriers to preventing them from becoming a mainstream mode of transport for short distances. 

Forest shows us that it is possible to implement small changes in your life to impact our environment and society positively. Choosing to use an e-bike for some of your travel is choosing to reduce greenhouse gasses and noise pollution and create a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy. 

“A cleaner, healthier, happier world is possible, one pedal at a time.”

Learn more here: humanforest.co.uk

The post Forest E-Bikes: Sustainable and Convenient Travel For The Planet And The People appeared first on Climate Global News.

WWF South Africa works to look after the country’s natural resources so everyone can continue benefiting from healthy ecosystems and their services. They are addressing the declining biodiversity of the country by expanding protected areas and reconnecting people to the land. This will have benefits for both humans and the environment. 

The Eastern Cape, where WWF are currently working on a new Grasslands National Park project.

The Link Between Biodiversity and Climate Change

Climate change has altered landscapes across the globe. It has caused the extinction of many plants and animals,  increased disease and changed species distribution. Human health is also affected by reduced ecosystem services, such as the loss of food, medicine and livelihoods provided by nature.

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals, many of which have not yet even been discovered! Maintaining biodiversity is essential; it increases the resilience of ecosystems and buffers the impacts of climate change. 

WWF, Senior Manager: Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, Angus Burns, spoke to the point:

“Climate change is a major driver of biodiversity loss whilst the loss of biodiversity accelerates climate change processes. Climate change also increases the risk of extinction and impacts the ability of ecosystems to regulate provisioning services such as water. We need to fight to sustain biodiversity because it is one of the strongest forms of natural defence against the impacts of human-accelerated climate change.”

Protecting South Africa’s Biomes

WWF South Africa has dedicated programmes of work focusing on securing refugia for biodiversity by expanding national parks and other conservation areas such as private and provincial nature reserves and protected environments. Only the most biodiverse land qualifies for inclusion in these initiatives, and the work aligns with the government’s national protected area expansion strategy. They aim to reconnect people to the most valuable and vulnerable landscapes, namely in the Grasslands, Succulent Karoo and Fynbos biomes, and assist with expanding protected areas to benefit people and nature.

Burns expanded on the work they’re doing at WWF to conserve biodiversity across South Africa:

“We also have a dedicated climate programme that promotes the national transition to net zero by 2050 and catalyses innovation and transformation towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy with pathways to a Just Energy Transition. Since biodiversity and climate are interconnected, it is just as important that we focus on climate mitigation measures. These two areas of work will ultimately enable mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Photo by Angus Burns/WWF South Africa

Why Are National Parks Important For Biodiversity And Our Fight Against Climate Change?

National Parks and other conservation areas act as refugia for biodiversity, enabling greater opportunities for climate change adaptation and resilience. Biodiverse systems give nature a better chance of adapting to changing environments. The impact of human-accelerated climate change causes a shift that is often too fast for most species to adapt to. However, the greater the biodiversity in an area, the better the chances for adaptation to occur in some form.

South Africa has 19 National Parks, covering over 4 million hectares. These are protected and managed by SANPark. SANParks is a close partner with WWF South Africa. Together, they have been working to expand the national parks to assist the government with meeting national protected area targets and including more biodiversity-rich land into valuable national assets.

Burns explained:

“National parks offer people the opportunity to directly enjoy our country’s unspoilt natural heritage whilst acting as large, landscape-scale habitats for biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Connectivity between national parks and surrounding well-managed landscapes offers more opportunities for biodiversity to persist and flourish. Ultimately, people benefit from this too because of biodiversity’s myriad ecological services, which sustain us as humans, such as water production, pollination, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and air pollution mitigation.”

Will South Africa Adapt? 

We know that combating climate change will only be possible if we all work together and make bold changes to how we live and grow our economies. It is up to each one of us to value and protect nature’s biodiversity. South Africa has a unique mix of ecosystems that will shape how it adapts to the changing climate. The more diverse and thriving these ecosystems remain, the more successful they will be in contributing to the fight against climate change. National Parks should be treasured as safe havens and expanded where possible to give the people of South Africa the greatest chance of preserving everything their country has to offer. 

Photo by Angus Burns/WWF South Africa

Burns concluded:

“Our mega-diverse country may well be the saving grace for us on the African continent (and indeed globally), but only if we all strive to cherish the biodiversity that sustains- whilst also changing our habits to be less reliant on fossil fuels!  The establishment and continued growth of our national parks are a significant way to achieve this.” 

Time will tell how well South Africa’s ecosystems adapt to these challenging changes! 

The post Protecting National Parks and Conserving Biodiversity appeared first on Climate Global News.

Solar power is one of the answers, and SILENT Yachts has led the way in this feat. With no greenhouse gasses or noise pollution being produced, these yachts allow you to appreciate your journey on the water in a new way. 

How Did SILENT Yachts Begin? 

Michael Köhler, alongside his wife Heiki, founded SILENT Yachts in 2009. As sailors who have covered over 75,000 NM all around the world, they wanted to find a solution to cruising the oceans sustainably and comfortably. 

Michael Köhler explained:

“Our primary goal initially was to find the best way to power a yacht. During the previous decades of cruising regular motor and sailing yachts, Heike and I kept facing the same issues. With a sailing yacht, you are always dependent on the wind, which has to come from the right direction at the right time. When cruising on a motor yacht, you constantly burn incredible amounts of diesel. Neither of these was an option we wanted to continue with. After years of research and testing, we realised that the sun was a much more reliable energy source.” 

The Power of the Sun

SILENT Yachts are fitted with solar panels which harness energy from the sun and store it in lithium batteries for propulsion and the use of all appliances on board. The yachts are run entirely by the power of the sun! As long as the sun is shining, the batteries will be charged, and any extra energy is stored, ready to be used when required. As a renewable source of power, solar energy has a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. This is critical to protecting the ocean’s ecosystems.

Sustainable by Design

The SILENT Yachts have been designed with the planet in mind. As sailors, Köhler and Heike wished to preserve the purity of the oceans, so they ensured that sustainability was placed at the core of their products. They use a holistic approach to address all areas of the yacht, including the materials they use, the products lifecycle and re-using materials.

Köhler describes the benefits of their solar-powered fleet:

“Every aspect of our yachts, from the design of the hull to the interior and its appliances, is designed to minimise energy consumption and maximise efficiency. This enables sustainable self-propulsion with a virtually unlimited range. A SILENT Yacht provides a zero-emission experience during cruising and on anchorage. While cruising with a SILENT yacht, you experience no noise, fumes, or vibrations.”

The team has created a boat which addresses the critical environmental factors, reducing greenhouse gasses, energy consumption and noise pollution. The oceans have long taken the brunt of global warming, but SILENT Yachts have ensured they will not add to these issues. The reduced noise levels are another benefit, causing less disturbance to marine life and making for a more peaceful and pleasant cruising experience for everyone on board. SILENT Yachts were created to help transition away from the use of harmful fossil fuels, but they made sure not to overlook comfort and style too!  

Köhler reminisces:

“On anchor, you get to feel the freedom of being totally self-sufficient and using all your appliances without needing to switch on noisy diesel generators and fracture the beauty of silently swinging amid gin-clear waters.’

People’s Perceptions Matter 

New technology can take a while for people to accept. It has to prove itself and show why it is worth replacing the old way! Having a boat run entirely by solar power is a huge success and appealing to those who wish to look after the oceans. Undoubtedly, the need is growing for more renewable energy solutions.

Köhler has seen first-hand the shift in the yachting world towards solar power:

“The perception of the market is changing quickly. Solar-electric yachts are not a niche anymore. Everyone in the industry, clients and other shipyards, is now aware that they will become the new mainstream. People now understand that they can own a yacht which is significantly less harmful to the environment, significantly more comfortable, while also being cheaper and easier to own. They understand that to continue living their dream at sea, they must act to preserve the oceans. A new generation of future yacht owners is being raised with heightened environmental awareness.”

Solar-powered yachts will be essential to future cruising, proving that finding alternative ways to protect our precious ocean environments is possible and worthwhile. SILENT Yachts provides boats that allow you to enjoy the water while doing your part to address today’s pressing climate change issues. With any hope, people will continue to be inspired by their love of the oceans, and more success stories will follow. In the long term, everyone will benefit from having a cleaner and healthier ocean.

Visit Silent Yachts website here

The post Solar Powered Yachts: The Future of Ocean Travel? appeared first on Climate Global News.

The Silo in London is a zero-waste restaurant. They are highlighting to the world that it is both achievable and desirable to run a sustainable business. At Silo, they believe waste is a failure of the imagination. This is a powerful way of looking at it. Companies do not need to see achieving zero-waste as an arduous task but as an exciting opportunity to change our modern-day choices and look after our planet. 

Moving From a Linear to a Circular Economy

A linear economy is one in which we use resources, often not to their full potential, and throw them away. The focus is on making a profit despite the product’s lifecycle or long-term impact on our environment. 

On the other hand, a circular economy is a system where materials never become waste. Products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, recycling, and composting. The circular economy tackles climate change and other global challenges, like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by removing the link between economic success and the consumption of finite resources. The circular economy focuses on three important principles: eliminating waste, circulating products and materials and regenerating nature by supporting natural processes. 

The food industry is a crucial place to start when achieving circularity. Our global food production is a significant driver of climate change and relies on finite resources and fossil fuels. 

Silo owner and chef, Douglas McMaster, explains why he believes the food industry needs to move towards a circular approach:

“The earth has finite resources that we’re running out of. Furthermore, the current systems are destroying the natural world. There is no future of food without finding sustainable food systems.”

The Silo Way 

Silo was the first zero-waste restaurant and is working to alter how the food industry is viewed. They show great respect for the environment with their techniques and focus on cutting down food miles and over-processing while preserving the nutrients and integrity of their ingredients. 

Circularity and zero-waste have been accomplished by trading directly with farmers as locally as possible, using reusable delivery vessels and choosing local ingredients that generate no waste. Any remaining scraps of food are then composted- closing the loop.

Silo focuses on clean farming and pure foods. They provide high-quality, pure foods and adopt a more primitive diet by combining modern and ancient methods. At Silo, they prefer food sources that require little to no processing and create everything on-site from its whole form. Furthermore, they have their own flour mill, an on-site brewery, churn their own butter and make their own oat milk.

It is not just cooking that Silo focuses on. Their furniture and fitting are also created sustainably, maintaining their circular economy goal. They chose to upcycle, with many of their materials otherwise being wasted. If you were to visit, you would notice that the plates are made from plastic bags and the tables from food packaging. The light shades are created from mycelium grown on used brewing grains, and the crockery is from crushed wine bottles!  These inventive solutions have allowed them to achieve zero-waste in style. 

A Role Model for Other Businesses

The Silo is a great role model to other restaurants, cafes and businesses in general. They show that it is possible to create tasty natural foods whilst achieving circularity and zero- waste. It proves that zero-waste food businesses are financially viable and do work! Cooking for a circular economy is the future, and I’m sure we will see many more restaurants following in the footsteps of Silo in the coming years. 

McMaster concluded:

 “ Being open to change is the first step, this is often the biggest step. I believe a big shift will swing with the generation; the Gen-Z’s are all thinking about how cooking is connected to the environment.”

The post Silo: Cooking for a Circular Economy appeared first on Climate Global News.

New operating environment – What do stakeholders want and need?

The environment our industry is operating in is getting more complex. The old ways, even ones that are agreed and currently legal, are no longer accepted by the public and politicians and expectations are higher than ever. The list of what customers, regulators and companies want to achieve and what the environment needs is not that different, but the complexity arises because the definitions and scope of these things are changing.

Why won’t the current / recent approaches cut it?

Just buying more of the same won’t change the outcome because it’s not changing the approach. We need to think and act as a system. Asset by asset thinking has to stop. They are not islands and treating them as such will always cost more than we have and need. Can we do this differently by thinking of systems as whole entities not just individual components?

We do the same with programmes. We still treat them as component projects that add up to a programme, which is backwards, bottom up and needs to be driven top down and risk managed across, not down. Taking an aggregated approach to risk, across, not down, is proven to be more effective, save money, focus attention, and thus free up essential funds. But it requires a break away from the old norm to implement.

Looking at the future of engineers. Environmental and Safety Engineer.Sewage treatment plant designer.

Embracing the change

Outside investment and operation of our assets puts service at risk. SRO’s are challenging us to work across boundaries and geographies, which we’ve never really done before, so our contract models aren’t set up for this.

Industry positives

United Utilities innovation labs invite the whole supply chain to tackle problems giving smaller and different companies and groups the opportunity to break into the relatively closed industry. 

Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival shows the power of the collective. Coming together in sprint style events, widening thinking, and asking ‘how can we’ or ‘what if’ has again driven some amazing results.

How can we apply this success and ways of achieving together to what we do. Planning longer term and thinking across not just down? 

Embracing the whole supply chain

The whole supply chain has a part to play. But what does that mean? There is a place for the incumbent contractors and designers. But we also need a wider cohort of SMEs not encumbered by PI. Give them a seat at the table, let their thinking, fleet of foot nature and innovative approaches shine and be heard.

The industry also needs funding. How can we develop a different approach to funding, making it attractive to investment and make sensible return?

Could we attract experience from other sectors like oil, gas, or manufacturing to operate our assets? 

Operating renewable energy is a different beast we’re not yet geared up for and as we lift ourselves out in programme and systematic thinking do we need help about how to do that?

We’re in a new world, it needs new thinking but that doesn’t mean we always need to bring those skills and the capacity in-house. 

What are the right models?

I think we can all agree that our thinking needs to move left. I’m hearing more about ECI (early contractor involvement) in AMP8 planning and I commend this but I think we can go further.

Thinking back to using the whole supply chain, moving left means using the right partners, be they SME’s, contractors, strategic planners, modellers, legal support and engineers, in our long term planning, getting their support in how we intervene in our asset base to deliver and enhance service for the long term and then working together to create the programmes that can deliver this need for our customers and the environment. And then, creating the projects or interventions, we need to make those programmes work.

There is a model out there that can enable all of this. One size will not fit all. Projects, programmes, and lots of what we do is timebound. Therefore, models can be created, built, and disbanded.

Choose change

Models aren’t sentient, they don’t make decisions or choose – we do – we the water industry. So, let’s choose change. Let’s choose to disrupt now before we are disrupted. Let’s choose putting our industry back at the forefront of all industries and let’s choose to do it right and do it carefully. And let’s choose to give our customers, our environment, and our regulators something to be proud of again.

Read more in our whitepaper ‘Tackling the challenges of AMP8 and beyond’ here.

The post Tackling the challenges of AMP8 and beyond appeared first on Climate Global News.