Climate Thoughts with Brian

Tag: nature

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
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
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%
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?
Consultation continues on Hope Moor Wind Farm Proposal

First steps in assessing the environmental impact for Hope Moor wind farm proposal taken in Yorkshire Fred. Olsen Renewables continue their public consultation on their proposals to build approximately 23 wind turbines on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, near to Richmond and Barnard Castle. This planned project would generate more than 150MW of renewable…
Read more: Consultation continues on Hope Moor Wind Farm Proposal
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…
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Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average

European State of the Climate report provides comprehensive overview of climate indicators Findings released today from European Centre for Medium- Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlight key changes in climate indicators for the world’s fastest warming continent. A range of factors are addressed in the report ranging from cold environments,…
Read more: Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average
Review of ‘The Visual Life of Climate Change’ by Saffron O’Neill

‘The Visual Life of Climate Change’ is an enthralling exploration and evaluation of the efficacy of climate related images and challenges the reader to be more critical of the ideologies and narratives posed by any image. O’Neill makes the early point that, ‘Images are not simply facile illustrations accompanying the ‘serious’ work of textual communication,…
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Review of ‘Green Thinking- Unlearning Outdated Ideas in Science, Economics and Politics’ by Natalie Bennett

In ‘Green Thinking’, Natalie Bennett calls for a deep, transformative, ‘breaking the chains’ moment, to move us away from outdated ideas which promote harmful outcomes. It challenges assumptions and models and really is a ‘breakthrough book’- the transformative model that we need for the 21st-century. She argues that, ‘We are in the Age of Shocks-…
Read more: Review of ‘Green Thinking- Unlearning Outdated Ideas in Science, Economics and Politics’ by Natalie Bennett