Climate Thoughts with Brian

Tag: climate-change

Yorkshire Water awarded lowest environment rating by Environment Agency

Yorkshire Water has been downgraded from a two star rating to a one star rating by the Environment Agency today, now classifying the company as a ‘poor performing company.’ The Environment Agency noted that Yorkshire Water had reported ‘335 pollution incidents including 13 classed as serious, 82% of incidents were self-reported.’ Yorkshire Water was rated…
Read more: Yorkshire Water awarded lowest environment rating by Environment Agency
‘Unprecedented highs’ of greenhouse gases lock in temperature increase for the planet

https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldmeteorologicalorganization/55484135012/in/album-72157717964599896 Credit Muhammad Amdad Hossain / WMO Levels of carbon dioxide and other major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached unprecedented highs in 2025, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), thus locking in more long-term temperature increase for the planet. The globally averaged surface concentration of CO2 in 2025 was…
Read more: ‘Unprecedented highs’ of greenhouse gases lock in temperature increase for the planet
Review of ‘The Surge: The Race Against the Most Destructive Force in Nature’ by Jeevan Vasagar

‘The Surge’ is an incredibly timely focus on humanity’s relationship with water and how we remain at the mercy of the waves, as government after government fails to properly protect its peoples. Governments instead, like the UK Government recently, warn the public to ‘prepare for emergencies’ and ensure they have enough resources for a few…
Read more: Review of ‘The Surge: The Race Against the Most Destructive Force in Nature’ by Jeevan Vasagar
Over 10,000 children in Yorkshire hospitalised owing to toxic air pollution

New Freedom of Information data obtained by Mums for Lungs has found that over 200,000 children are taken to hospital with breathing difficulties in a survey of 11 major English cities. The youngest children are most affected. Over 120,000 babies and toddlers aged up to 3 accounting for over half (57%) of those admitted to…
Read more: Over 10,000 children in Yorkshire hospitalised owing to toxic air pollution
Yorkshire Water have ‘no plans for water restrictions’ as reservoir levels hit 45.5%

As the latest water situation report for September is published, Yorkshire Water repeat their statement that they have ‘no plans for water restrictions’. Levels hit 45.5% for September, coming very close to the 46% levels of September 2025, when the region was under a hosepipe ban. Readings remain well below the 68.7% average for this…
Read more: Yorkshire Water have ‘no plans for water restrictions’ as reservoir levels hit 45.5%
Almost 3,000 excess deaths estimated in England and Wales during recent heatwaves

Public protecting themselves against the direct sun A new combined report from Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated that more than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes in the recent May and June heatwaves. The report states that almost half of these (42%) died as…
Read more: Almost 3,000 excess deaths estimated in England and Wales during recent heatwaves
Ripon Repair Café: One Year On and Still Going Strong.

Repair culture proving popular against rising consumerism Ripon Repair Café opened its doors once again this Saturday (11th July) to mark the first anniversary of beginning their repair journey in 2025. Sue Griffin, an organiser for the local repair team said, ‘In the first year of the repair café, we have saved a lot of…
Read more: Ripon Repair Café: One Year On and Still Going Strong.
European heat records are broken by spring heat dome

Credit @Tomer Burg The UK has just set a provisional new May heat record with 35.0C recorded in West London, exceeding the 34.8C reached yesterday. France has also seen record breaking heat with 36C recorded in the country’s southwest on Monday as a heat dome sits across much of western Europe. Friederike Otto, Professor of Climate Science,…
Read more: European heat records are broken by spring heat dome
Thousands of people across the country protest against sewage pollution

Pictures of Scarborough Surfers Against Sewage Protest credit @torysmasher In over 50 locations across the country, people gathered today to express their outrage at the ongoing sewage pollution of waterways, rivers and the coastline around the UK. Organised by Surfers Against Sewage, these ‘Paddle Out Protests’ aim to protest against the sewage pollution by the…
Read more: Thousands of people across the country protest against sewage pollution
Review of ‘Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home’ by Katharine K Wilkinson

Wilkinson’s book crackles with purpose and the potential of what might be possible. It reminds us that there is a ‘we’ at the heart of this journey and that we are bound and bonded by a common framework of humanity. ‘Climate Wayfinding’ is a book which encourages- even demands- time for reflection; time for strengthening…
Read more: Review of ‘Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home’ by Katharine K Wilkinson