Climate Thoughts with Brian

Tag: environment

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
Review of ‘The Last Witness: One Man’s Fight for the Truth and the Conspiracy to Silence Him’ by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

‘The Last Witness’ is a shocking account of Douglas Gowan’s struggle from the 1960s on to draw attention to widespread pollution of toxic chemicals in Wales. These chemicals were dumped by the giant chemical company Monsanto and contained dangerously high levels of PCBs. This book follows the initial podcast and the BBC documentary, ‘Buried’, as…
Read more: Review of ‘The Last Witness: One Man’s Fight for the Truth and the Conspiracy to Silence Him’ by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor
Review of ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson

I must begin by making a whispered confession- this is the first time that I have read ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson. Of course, I have previously been aware of its revolutionary impact, ground-breaking work and awakening of the public, but it always seemed to be a book to be read at another time. Here,…
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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%
Yorkshire Water’s CEO permanently ‘unavailable’ for Ripon City Council’s accountability meeting

Despite no future meeting date being set, Yorkshire Water’s CEO states she cannot attend meeting, owing to her ‘availability’. Ripon City Council recently invited the CEO of Yorkshire Water to a council meeting following levels of pollution in local rivers. The invitation, unanimously agreed on by councillors present, read, ‘This council calls upon Yorkshire Water…
Read more: Yorkshire Water’s CEO permanently ‘unavailable’ for Ripon City Council’s accountability meeting
Back to Bentham: What next for the people of Bentham still waiting for answers?

Almost four months ago, ITV released their documentary on high PFAS levels in the blood of some Bentham residents. Bentham, once dubbed ‘the most PFAS polluted town in the UK, has been in the spotlight for several years now, as investigations revealed incredibly high levels of PFAS chemicals in the groundwater of their wastewater lagoons.…
Read more: Back to Bentham: What next for the people of Bentham still waiting for answers?
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.