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West Midlands Health and Planning group

Background
In 2010, West Midlands PCT's and local authorities came together to prepare a joint public health response to the Local Transport Plan 3. Subsequent work with Centro has demonstrated how this response influenced the final Local Transport Plan and associated implementation plan.

In 2011 a wider group prepared a joint response to the National Planning Policy Framework. It was clear that there was a wide range of healthy urban environment work underway across the West Midlands and extensive local experience and learning. Working with the West Midlands Learning for Public Health Network (LfPHWM) a West Midlands Health and Planning group was established.

The objective of the group is to share learning and experience and coordinate joint work across the West Midlands. With the constraints on people’s time and capacity it was felt that the group needed to take a practical approach to sharing best practice and identify opportunities to undertake joint work across specific areas of practice. The underlying model for the work is the Marmot Review objective E – “To create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities”.

WMHPG news, information and resources 15 January 2021

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

The Role of SDGs in Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: https://www.orfonline.org/research/role-sdgs-post-pandemic-economic-recovery/

Ten urgent actions government must take to keep people afloat in lockdown: https://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/ten-urgent-actions-government-must-take-keep-people-afloat-lockdown

Healthy planning & environment

Government consultation - The regulation of genetic technologies: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/agri-food-chain-directorate/the-regulation-of-genetic-technologies/ “This consultation is about the regulation of genetic technologies. It mainly focuses on the regulation of gene edited (GE) organisms possessing genetic changes which could have been introduced by traditional breeding. This is covered in part 1 of the consultation.” Closes March 17 2021

Human health: Ensuring a high level of protection -  a reference paper on addressing Human Health in Environmental Impact Assessment: https://www.iaia.org/reference-and-guidance-documents/HumanHealthEnsuringProtectionSummary.pdf

Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/2/e2023989118.full

Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2020.615419/full

Governments urged to redirect $1trn of 'planet-wrecking' subsidies to nature conservation and restoration: https://www.edie.net/news/11/Governments-urged-to-redirect--1trn-of--planet-wrecking--subsidies-to-nature-conservation-and-restoration/

Rethinking zero deforestation beyond 2020 to more equitably and effectively conserve tropical forests: https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(20)30597-2?mc_cid=469776d136&mc_eid=9a7f181f0f

Housing

Better housing is crucial for our health and the COVID-19 recovery: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/better-housing-is-crucial-for-our-health-and-the-covid-19-recovery

Report finds data problems in Brownfield Land Registers: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Report-finds-data-problems-in-Brownfield-Land-Registers/51668

Climate change & sustainability

Ashden Awards 2021 - Uncovering and spotlighting the world's next climate champions: https://ashden.org/enter-2021-awards/ “The Ashden Awards boost outstanding climate solutions. For more than 20 years our awards have backed radical ideas delivering lower emissions and a fairer world, with grants and development support on offer to winners and finalists.”

Copernicus: 2020 warmest year on record for Europe; globally, 2020 ties with 2016 for warmest year recorded: https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-2020-warmest-year-record-europe-globally-2020-ties-2016-warmest-year-recorded

How close are we to the temperature tipping point of the terrestrial biosphere? https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/3/eaay1052

UKHACC – Carbon Literacy Guide and Quiz: http://www.ukhealthalliance.org/carbon-literacy-guide/ (I managed 14 out of 20 in the quiz – see how you do…)

Analysis: The climate papers most featured in the media in 2020: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-the-climate-papers-most-featured-in-the-media-in-2020

The effect of climate change on indicators of fire danger in the UK: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abd9f2 “The results imply that greater attention needs to be given to wildfire danger in both emergency and spatial planning, and in the development of guidelines for activities that may trigger fires.”

Met Office: A review of the UK’s climate in 2020: https://www.carbonbrief.org/met-office-a-review-of-the-uks-climate-in-2020

CO2 levels to breach 50% rise from pre-industrial era in 2021 - Met Office: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-carbon/co2-levels-to-breach-50-rise-from-pre-industrial-era-in-2021-met-office-idUKKBN29D00M

Analysis: Which countries met the UN’s 2020 deadline to raise ‘climate ambition’? https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-which-countries-met-the-uns-2020-deadline-to-raise-climate-ambition

Upward-scaling tipping cascades to meet climate goals: plausible grounds for hope: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14693062.2020.1870097

Natural disasters cause $210 billion in damage in 2020, insurer says: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-munich-re-disaster/natural-disasters-cause-210-billion-in-damage-in-2020-insurer-says-idUKKBN29C17O

Predictions of mass-migration due to climate change are rife, but not necessarily accurate: http://geographical.co.uk/people/the-refugee-crisis/item/3930-are-predictions-of-mass-climate-migrations-really-accurate

Tried and tested solutions for 2021: https://www.cat.org.uk/tried-and-tested-solutions-for-2021/

Britain sees greenest year for electricity in 2020 – National Grid: https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-electricity/britain-sees-greenest-year-for-electricity-in-2020-national-grid-idUSL8N2JM3CC

Alok Sharma to work full-time on Cop26 climate conference preparation: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/08/alok-sharma-work-full-time-cop26-climate-conference-preparation

Peat bogs: restoring them could slow climate change – and revive a forgotten world: https://theconversation.com/peat-bogs-restoring-them-could-slow-climate-change-and-revive-a-forgotten-world-139182

Carbon capture technology will not solve the climate crisis, report says: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/carbon-capture-technology-will-not-solve-the-climate-crisis-report-says/

Oil companies show little interest in Arctic oil rights: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/oil-companies-show-little-interest-in-arctic-oil-rights/

Trump’s EPA launches surprise attack on Biden’s climate rules: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/12/trump-epa-biden-climate-rules-458280

How mapping the weather 12,000 years ago can help predict future climate change: https://theconversation.com/how-mapping-the-weather-12-000-years-ago-can-help-predict-future-climate-change-152852

Activating ‘tipping points’ in society could push world towards greater climate action, researchers say: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/tipping-points-society-climate-change-b1785171.html

Climate Deniers Shift Tactics to ‘Inactivism’: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-deniers-shift-tactics-to-inactivism/

Solar panels capture more sunlight with capsaicin - the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy: https://theconversation.com/solar-panels-capture-more-sunlight-with-capsaicin-the-chemical-that-makes-chili-peppers-spicy-152901

Active travel & transport

The number of patients hospitalized with bicycle injuries is increasing - A cry for better road safety: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457520316560?s=09

EV emissions depend on the time of day that you charge them: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/01/ev-emissions-depend-on-when-you-charge/

‘Pay as you go’ car use could save thousands of tonnes of CO2: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/increasing-car-club-membership-could-save-thousands-of-tonnes-of-co2/

Air quality & pollution

Air pollution is associated with increased risk of pregnancy loss: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/01/11/air-pollution-is-associated-with-increased-risk-of-pregnancy-loss/

First lockdown’s effect on air pollution was overstated, our study reveals: https://theconversation.com/first-lockdowns-effect-on-air-pollution-was-overstated-our-study-reveals-153152

Clean air: Coal burning ban and wet wood restrictions planned: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55636395

They’re everywhere: New study finds polyester fibres throughout the Arctic Ocean: https://theconversation.com/theyre-everywhere-new-study-finds-polyester-fibres-throughout-the-arctic-ocean-152881

'Loophole' will let UK continue to ship plastic waste to poorer countries: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/12/loophole-will-let-uk-continue-to-ship-plastic-waste-to-poorer-countries

Biodegradable plastics will not solve the plastic problem: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/biodegradable-plastics-will-not-solve-the-plastic-problem/

Accelerating to a Better Future - A podcast on food packaging and waste: https://shows.acast.com/accelerating-to-a-better-future/episodes/out-of-the-cardboard-box?mc_cid=469776d136&mc_eid=9a7f181f0f

Food & food security

The biggest food news story over the past week has been the free school meals provided to children;

Other news has covered the developing situation around post-brexit food supplies and infrastructure;

the most sustainable way to feed the future: https://www.airprotein.com/about

Industry self-regulation fails to deliver healthier diets, again: https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4762

Danish government tells citizens to eat a climate friendly diet of pulses, fruit and vegetables: https://inews.co.uk/news/danish-government-tells-citizens-eat-climate-friendly-diet-vegetables-pulses-822888

Global food demand is leading to vast biodiversity loss: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/global-food-demand-is-leading-to-vast-biodiveristy-loss/

A drastic revolution in the way we eat and farm could limit habitat lost to agriculture to a mere 1%: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/01/if-we-drastically-revolutionize-the-way-we-eat-and-farm-habitat-lost-to-agriculture-would-drop-to-a-mere-1/

WMHPG news, information and resources 08 January 2021

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Councils’ core funding per resident set to drop below 2015-16 levels: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Councils-core-funding-per-resident-set-to-drop-below-2015-16-levels/51610

The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities: a New Year’s message: https://www.ifs.org.uk/inequality/the-ifs-deaton-review-of-inequalities-a-new-years-message/  - media coverage: IFS calls for a fairer UK after Covid brings greater inequality: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/05/ifs-calls-for-a-fairer-uk-after-covid-brings-greater-inequality

Healthy planning & environment

Study ties amphibian collapses with increased malaria outbreaks: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/amphibian-die-offs-can-cause-human-health-problems/

Supreme Court rules Heathrow expansion lawful: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/supreme-court-rules-heathrow-expansion-lawful/

Two-way street: how Barcelona is democratising public space: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/two-way-street-how-barcelona-is-democratising-public-space

The best environmental journalism of 2020: https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2020/12/18/best-environmental-journalism-2020/

Global food industry on course to drive rapid habitat loss – research: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/21/global-food-industry-to-drive-rapid-habitat-loss-research

Unearthed today: What are supermarkets doing to stop deforestation? https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2020/12/17/unearthed-today-what-are-supermarkets-doing-to-stop-deforestation/

A new London Plan by Christmas? …Stop the cavalry! https://lichfields.uk/blog/2020/december/22/a-new-london-plan-by-christmas-stop-the-cavalry/

Housing

Jenrick announces revised plan for housing algorithum: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Jenrick-announces-revised-plan-for-housing-algorithum/51583

Council ensures homeless people are offered COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Council-ensures-homeless-people-are-offered-COVID-19-vaccine/51641

Climate change & sustainability

The top green resolutions to make for 2021: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/211755/the-green-resolutions-make-2021/

10 energy and climate issues to watch in 2021: https://www.axios.com/10-energy-and-climate-issues-2021-2481eee1-c823-4114-82ea-f00fd23d77ff.html

21 New Year's resolutions for sustainability professionals in 2021 and beyond: https://www.edie.net/news/7/21-New-Year-s-resolutions-for-sustainability-professionals-in-2021-and-beyond/

Echo Chamber Effects in the Climate Change Blogosphere: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2020.1861048 “Consistent with expectations, findings reveal that audience members (N = 760) with high risk perceptions primarily consume climate mainstream blogs and audience members with low risk perceptions primarily consume climate sceptical blogs. Implications for research and practice are discussed.”

Climate warming prolongs the time interval between leaf‐out and flowering in temperate trees: Effects of chilling, forcing and photoperiod: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2745.13558 “This study provides the large‐scale empirical evidence of prolonged time interval between leaf‐out and flowering with climate warming. The unequal advances of the two events may alter the partition of resources between vegetative growth and reproduction and cause different changes of spring frost damage to vegetative and reproductive tissues, which may alter species fitness and further affect ecosystem structure and function.”

In-depth Q&A: How does the UK’s ‘energy white paper’ aim to tackle climate change? https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-how-does-the-uks-energy-white-paper-aim-to-tackle-climate-change

Jenrick criticised over decision not to block new Cumbria coal mine: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/06/jenrick-criticised-over-decision-not-block-new-cumbria-coal-mine

Analysis: Why the new Met Office temperature record shows faster warming since 1970s: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-the-new-met-office-temperature-record-shows-faster-warming-since-1970s

Democrats win control of US Senate, boosting prospect of climate action: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/01/06/democrats-set-win-control-us-senate-boosting-prospect-climate-action/

The cost of debt of renewable and non-renewable energy firms: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-00745-x

Met Office - 2020 - a remarkable year: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2021/2020-statistics-round-up

Grantham Institute – Outlook Magazine - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/about-us/outlook-magazine/

Webinar 14 January - What does NHS England's Net-Zero Plan Mean for Clinical Practice? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-does-nhs-englands-net-zero-plan-mean-for-clinical-practice-registration-133249562027

Treasury: Net zero transition 'essential for long term prosperity': https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4025152/treasury-net-zero-transition-essential-long-term-prosperity

UK summer temperatures look set to increase by far more than the global average: https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/uk-summer-temperatures-increase-more-global-average-818125

'How much will it cost to slow climate change?' https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/ask-sara-how-much-will-it-cost-to-slow-climate-change/

Climate crisis will cause falling humidity in global cities – study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/04/climate-crisis-will-cause-falling-humidity-in-global-cities-study

Global climate action needs trusted finance data: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03646-x

Guest post: How to ‘fairly’ share emissions from goods traded around the world: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-to-fairly-share-emissions-from-goods-traded-around-the-world

Brexit deal threatens UK labour and climate standards, thinktank warns: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/27/brexit-deal-threatens-uk-labour-climate-standards-thinktank-warns

Windfarms in Great Britain break record for clean power generation: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/19/windfarms-in-great-britain-break-record-for-clear-power-generation

No coal in the nation’s stocking: Britain sees first coal-free Christmas Day: https://www.current-news.co.uk/news/no-coal-in-the-nations-stocking-britain-sees-first-coal-free-christmas-day

Keeping up with fast pace of attribution science: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/keeping-up-with-fast-pace-of-attribution-science/

A new carbon capture method that actually makes energy sense: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/a-new-improved-carbon-capture-method-that-makes-energy-sense/

Norway supreme court verdict opens Arctic to more oil drilling: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-norway-oil-environment/greenpeace-loses-norway-supreme-court-case-over-arctic-oil-idUKKBN28W104

The Weekly Planet: The 5 Biggest Climate Stories of 2020: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/12/5-biggest-climate-stories-2020/617468/

Exclusive: GM, Ford knew about climate change 50 years ago: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063717035?s=09

Four ways microbial fuel cells might revolutionise electricity production in the future: https://theconversation.com/four-ways-microbial-fuel-cells-might-revolutionise-electricity-production-in-the-future-152184

Outdoor heaters are very inefficient – here’s how to keep warm outdoors more sustainably: https://theconversation.com/outdoor-heaters-are-very-inefficient-heres-how-to-keep-warm-outdoors-more-sustainably-149423

Active travel & transport

Would you ditch your car if public transport was free? Here’s what researchers have found: https://theconversation.com/would-you-ditch-your-car-if-public-transport-was-free-heres-what-researchers-have-found-133001

Removed London bike lane blocked by parked cars most of the time – study: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/01/removed-london-bike-lane-blocked-by-parked-cars-most-of-the-time-study-kensington-and-chelsea-council

Cars: transition from lockdown is a fork in the road – here are two possible outcomes for future travel: https://theconversation.com/cars-transition-from-lockdown-is-a-fork-in-the-road-here-are-two-possible-outcomes-for-future-travel-139885

UK public transport downturn to continue after pandemic ends: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/30/uk-public-transport-downturn-to-continue-after-pandemic-ends

UK electric vehicle market enjoys 'best ever year' in 2020: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4025422/uk-electric-vehicle-market-enjoys-best-2020

Air quality & pollution

Indoor Air Pollution from Residential Stoves: Examining the Flooding of Particulate Matter into Homes during Real-World Use: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/12/1326 “Taken together, the study demonstrates that people inside homes with a residential stove are at risk of exposure to high intensities of PM2.5 and PM1 within a short period of time through normal use. It is recommended that this risk be reflected in the testing and regulation of residential stoves”

Effects of short-term exposures to ultrafine particles near an airport in healthy subjects: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041201934797X?via%3Dihub

Air pollution caused death of 9-year-old, coroner rules: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/12/16/air-pollution-caused-death-of-9-year-old-coroner-rules/

Air pollution death ruling: What comes next? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55352247

Highways England to investigate link between road water and microplastics: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/01/04/highways-england-to-investigate-link-between-road-water-and-microplastics/

Microplastics revealed in the placentas of unborn babies: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/22/microplastics-revealed-in-placentas-unborn-babies

Rethinking the science of plastic recycling: UK startup lands £1.2M for turning trash into treasure using AI & robotics: https://www.uktech.news/news/uk-startup-lands-12m-for-turning-trash-into-treasure-using-ai-robotics-20201215

Food & food security

#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY: https://endchildfoodpoverty.org/

How much would food cost if we factored in planetary impacts? https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/how-much-would-food-cost-if-we-factored-in-planetary-impacts/

Food shortages, Brexit and COVID-19: how Britain's problems converged at Christmas: https://theconversation.com/amp/food-shortages-brexit-and-covid-19-how-britains-problems-converged-at-christmas-152412

More CO2 in the atmosphere hurts key plants and crops more than it helps: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/more-co2-in-the-atmosphere-hurts-key-plants-and-crops-more-than-it-helps/

And finally….

In pictures: Jonk wins Earth Photo competition with stunning series of abandoned buildings: http://geographical.co.uk/nature/geophoto/item/3927-earth-photo?awt_a=8l6Q&awt_l=D_aJ8&awt_m=3kK5PrsQzsPJO6Q

WMHPG news, information and resources 18 December 2020

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Build Back Fairer: The COVID-19 Marmot Review: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review

Royal College of Physicians - Inequalities in Health Alliance: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/inequalities-health-alliance

Humanitarian Energy Award Appeal: https://ashden.org/humanitarian-energy-award-appeal/ “…we are seeking donations to our 2021 Humanitarian Energy award. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Yemen was awarded this year for their community-owned microgrids that have brought energy, incomes and a new role for women to villages shaken  by years of war.”

Poverty in the pandemic: An update on the impact of coronavirus on low-income families and children: https://cpag.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/report/poverty-pandemic-update-impact-coronavirus-low-income-families-and?s=09

Footing the COVID-19 bill: economic case for tax hike on wealthy: https://theconversation.com/footing-the-covid-19-bill-economic-case-for-tax-hike-on-wealthy-151945

More than 2m UK households in arrears on energy bills: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/dec/16/more-than-2m-uk-households-in-arrears-on-energy-bills

Universal basic income policies and their potential for addressing health inequities: Transformative approaches to a healthy, prosperous life for all (2019): https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/social-determinants/publications/2019/universal-basic-income-policies-and-their-potential-for-addressing-health-inequities-transformative-approaches-to-a-healthy,-prosperous-life-for-all-2019

The Post-Pandemic Brave New World: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2020/12/post-pandemic-brave-new-world-sandbu.htm

Healthy planning & environment

Future cities: new challenges mean we need to reimagine the look of urban landscapes: https://theconversation.com/future-cities-new-challenges-mean-we-need-to-reimagine-the-look-of-urban-landscapes-151709

TCPA - Report: No place for place-making: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/report-no-place-for-place-making

Over 300,000 of us have told the government: don’t push through bad planning changes: https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/over-300000-of-us-sign-petition-against-planning-changes/

Thousands of councillors call for rethink on planning reforms: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Thousands-of-councillors-call-for-rethink-on-planning-reforms/51554

Opinion: Environmental impact bonds can help cities invest in green infrastructure: https://medium.com/ensia/opinion-environmental-impact-bonds-can-help-cities-invest-in-green-infrastructure-b15812387ba6

Using satellite imagery, researchers have built an automatic habitat loss detector: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/using-satellite-imagery-researchers-have-built-an-automatic-habitat-loss-detector/

Are Christmas jumpers bad for the environment? https://environmentjournal.online/articles/are-christmas-jumpers-bad-for-the-environment/

Housing

LGA responds to number of deaths of homeless people: https://www.local.gov.uk/lga-responds-number-deaths-homeless-people?s=09

Housing, household transmission and ethnicity, 26 November 2020: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-household-transmission-and-ethnicity-26-november-2020?s=09

Jenrick announces revised plan for housing algorithm: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Jenrick-announces-revised-plan-for-housing-algorithum/

England's social housing reforms are welcome, but what about private renters? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/07/social-housing-reforms-private-renters

Pathways From Homelessness 2021: Everyone Always In? Online Symposium: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/ca7f180e-7413-472b-bc25-9eaf8bb3370a/summary

Climate change & sustainability

The Sixth Carbon Budget: The UK’s path to Net Zero: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Sixth-Carbon-Budget-The-UKs-path-to-Net-Zero.pdf

In-depth Q&A: How does the UK’s ‘energy white paper’ aim to tackle climate change? https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-how-does-the-uks-energy-white-paper-aim-to-tackle-climate-change

Here’s What You Need To Know About The 2020 Global Carbon Budget: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/12/11/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-2020-global-carbon-budget/

Global Carbon Project: Coronavirus causes ‘record fall’ in fossil-fuel emissions in 2020: https://www.carbonbrief.org/global-carbon-project-coronavirus-causes-record-fall-in-fossil-fuel-emissions-in-2020

EU leaders strike deal on tougher 2030 climate target: https://uk.reuters.com/article/eu-summit-climate-deal/eu-leaders-strike-deal-on-tougher-2030-climate-target-idUKKBN28L0O4

Greta Thunberg: 'We are speeding in the wrong direction' on climate crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/10/greta-thunberg-we-are-speeding-in-the-wrong-direction-on-climate-crisis

UK Supreme Court lifts ban on Heathrow airport third runway: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/16/uk-supreme-court-lifts-ban-heathrow-airport-third-runway

New climate models suggest faster melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet: https://www.carbonbrief.org/new-climate-models-suggest-faster-melting-of-the-greenland-ice-sheet

Kick-starting local climate action: https://www.cat.org.uk/kick-starting-local-climate-action/

It pays to be prepared: What the world can learn from COVID-19 about preparing for climate change: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/covid-climate-preparedness

This material can store the sun’s energy for months, maybe even years: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/this-material-can-store-suns-heat-for-months-maybe-even-years

Tackling gender inequality is ‘crucial’ for climate adaptation: https://www.carbonbrief.org/tackling-gender-inequality-is-crucial-for-climate-adaptation

Lloyd's of London steps back from coal in first climate change policy: https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN28Q2TK

Asset managers with portfolios worth $9tr target net zero portfolios by 2050: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4024829/asset-managers-portfolios-worth-usd9tr-target-net-zero-portfolios-2050

UK plans climate donor conference to address ‘dismal’ support for poorer nations: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/14/uk-plans-climate-donor-conference-address-dismal-support-poorer-nations/

Richer nations should compensate for the impacts of climate change to avoid deepening inequality, says Marco Magrini: http://geographical.co.uk/opinion/item/3918-richer-nations-should-compensate-for-the-impacts-of-climate-change-to-avoid-deepening-inequality-says-marco-magrini

U.N. chief calls for more climate finance for poor nations as 2020 goal slips: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-summit-finance/u-n-chief-calls-for-more-climate-finance-for-poor-nations-as-2020-goal-slips-idUKKBN28M0Y5

Eight in ten councils hit by climate-related incidents: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Eight-in-ten-councils-hit-by-climate-related-incidents/51564

A tropical fish evolved to endure rising temperatures – but it may not be fast enough to survive climate change: https://theconversation.com/a-tropical-fish-evolved-to-endure-rising-temperatures-but-it-may-not-be-fast-enough-to-survive-climate-change-151948

Big but affordable effort needed for America to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Princeton study shows: https://environmenthalfcentury.princeton.edu/research/2020/big-affordable-effort-needed-america-reach-net-zero-emissions-2050-princeton-study

Active travel & transport

Cycling Injury Risk in London: Impacts of Road Characteristics and Infrastructure: https://findingspress.org/article/18226-cycling-injury-risk-in-london-impacts-of-road-characteristics-and-infrastructure “When compared to no infrastructure, this study found that protected cycle infrastructure reduced odds of injury by 40-65% in the morning commute, whereas advisory lanes increased injury odds by 34%. Junctions were found to increase injury odds threefold; higher pedestrian density also increased injury odds. This study supports growing evidence of a ‘safety in numbers’ effect.”

Millions of electric cars will need charging in future – but how? https://theconversation.com/millions-of-electric-cars-will-need-charging-in-future-but-how-152106

Funding gap has 'devastating' impact on rural and remote bus services: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Funding-gap-has-devastating-impact-on-rural-and-remote-bus-services/51555

Air quality & pollution

Air pollution a cause in girl's death, coroner rules in landmark case: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/girls-death-contributed-to-by-air-pollution-coroner-rules-in-landmark-case

Air pollution and climate change measures should be linked: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/air-pollution-and-climate-change-measures-should-be-linked/

If nothing is done, this pandemic will make air quality worse, not better: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/If-nothing-is-done-this-pandemic-will-make-air-quality-worse-not-better-595/

Study connects diabetes, air pollution to interstitial lung disease: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2020/diabetes-ozone-lung-disease

Mayor of London, Bloomberg and Imperial join forces to tackle city’s toxic air: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/210653/mayor-london-bloomberg-imperial-join-forces/

Councils warned to push ahead with clean air zones: http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Councils-warned-to-push-ahead-with-clean-air-zones/17023

Deadliest plastics: bags and packaging biggest marine life killers, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/14/deadliest-plastics-bags-and-packaging-biggest-marine-life-killers-study-finds

EU officials approved over 100 potentially harmful pesticides - without proper testing: https://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2019/12/eu-officials-approved-over-100-potentially-harmful-pesticides-without-proper

Food & food security

UK health professionals call for a healthier food system in new food, climate and health paper: http://www.ukhealthalliance.org/all-consuming/

Post-Brexit Food Safety Standards Report 2020: Deregulation in the Pursuit of Trade deals Increases Public Health Risks - ResearchAndMarkets.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201210005514/en/Post-Brexit-Food-Safety-Standards-Report-2020-Deregulation-in-the-Pursuit-of-Trade-deals-Increases-Public-Health-Risks---ResearchAndMarkets.com

Calculation of external climate costs for food highlights inadequate pricing of animal products: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19474-6

And finally….

The best books of 2020: Nature, climate and the environment: http://geographical.co.uk/reviews/books/item/3914-the-best-books-of-2020-nature-and-wildlife

WMHPG news, information and resources 11 December 2020

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

State of the North 2020/21: Power up, level up, rise up: https://www.ippr.org/research/publications/state-of-the-north-2020-21

The financial impact of COVID-19 on disabled people and their carers: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/financial-impact-covid-19-disabled-people-and-their-carers

Destitution in the UK 2020: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/destitution-uk-2020

Emergency benefits increase saved 700,000 from poverty, study shows: https://www.bigissue.com/latest/emergency-benefits-increase-saved-700000-from-poverty-study-shows/

Public health grant cuts 'worst in poorest areas': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55216408

What could the impact of COVID-19 be on UK demography? https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2020/12/07/what-could-the-impact-of-covid-19-be-on-uk-demography/

Healthy planning & environment

The health and well-being effects of drought: assessing multi-stakeholder perspectives through narratives from the UK: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-020-02916-x

Jenrick outlines fast track planning service for public buildings: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Jenrick-outlines-fast-track-planning-service-for-public-buildings/51519

Future Wales – the future starts now: https://lichfields.uk/blog/2020/december/10/future-wales-the-future-starts-now/

Anthropocene: human-made materials now weigh as much as all living biomass, say scientists: https://theconversation.com/anthropocene-human-made-materials-now-weigh-as-much-as-all-living-biomass-say-scientists-151721

Global soils underpin life but future looks ‘bleak’, warns UN report: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/04/global-soils-underpin-life-but-future-looks-bleak-warns-un-report

The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking water: https://ensia.com/features/volatile-chemicals-vocs-drinking-water/

Cities can lead a green revolution after Covid. In Barcelona, we're showing how: https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/dec/05/cities-green-revolution-covid-barcelona-transport-sustainable-industries

Housing

CollaborAGE Directory: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/collaborage/ “The Housing LIN has long championed a variety of community-led approaches to housing for an ageing population. In line with this, we have published a range of useful materials to raise awareness and showcase latest practice.”

Delivering design value: the housing design quality conundrum: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/delivering-design-value-the-housing-design-quality-conundrum/

Climate change & sustainability

The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32290-X/fulltext

United Nations Environment Programme – Emissions Gap Report 2020: https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2020

Analysis: When might the world exceed 1.5C and 2C of global warming? https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-when-might-the-world-exceed-1-5c-and-2c-of-global-warming

National Audit Office – Achieving Net Zero: https://www.nao.org.uk/report/achieving-net-zero/

CCC: UK must cut emissions ‘78% by 2035’ to be on course for net-zero goal: https://www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-uk-must-cut-emissions-78-by-2035-to-be-on-course-for-net-zero-goal

Government fails to back post-Brexit climate change legislation: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/government-fails-to-back-post-brexit-climate-change-legislation/

Arctic warming cascades through ocean and over land, U.S. report says: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-arctic/arctic-warming-cascades-through-ocean-and-over-land-u-s-report-says-idUKKBN28I2BM

Hydrogen should be prioritised for planes and ships: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/12/07/hydrogen-should-be-prioritised-for-planes-and-ships/

'Climate TRACE' coalition aims to pinpoint sources of carbon pollution: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/climate-trace-coalition-aims-to-pinpoint-sources-of-carbon-pollution/

Climate Action Tracker: https://climateactiontracker.org/

UNEP: Net-zero pledges provide an ‘opening’ to close growing emissions ‘gap’: https://www.carbonbrief.org/unep-net-zero-pledges-provide-an-opening-to-close-growing-emissions-gap

The world’s rich need to cut their carbon footprint by a factor of 30 to slow climate change, U.N. warns: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/09/carbon-footprints-climate-change-rich-one-percent/

New York State Just Set a New Standard for Fossil Fuel Divestment: https://earther.gizmodo.com/new-york-state-just-set-a-new-standard-for-fossil-fuel-1845838073/

Should you get a heat pump? Here’s how they compare to a gas boiler: https://theconversation.com/should-you-get-a-heat-pump-heres-how-they-compare-to-a-gas-boiler-151493

The world’s ocean is bearing the brunt of a changing climate. Explore its past and future in our new series: https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-ocean-is-bearing-the-brunt-of-a-changing-climate-explore-its-past-and-future-in-our-new-series-151548

Analysis: Surge in China’s steel production helps to fuel record-high CO2 emissions: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-surge-in-chinas-steel-production-helps-to-fuel-record-high-co2-emissions

What will climate change look like near me? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-d6338d9f-8789-4bc2-b6d7-3691c0e7d138

Climate change is best tackled through lots of small-scale solutions – here are nine reasons why: https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-best-tackled-through-lots-of-small-scale-solutions-here-are-nine-reasons-why-151147

‘Major Hurdle’ Cleared As Youth Activists Advance Historic Climate Case: https://desmog.co.uk/2020/11/30/major-hurdle-cleared-youth-activists-advance-historic-climate-case

Gift guide: 12 books on climate and environment for the holidays: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/gift-guide-12-books-on-climate-and-environment-for-the-holidays/

Active travel & transport

Urban mobility arrives at its own crossroads: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/Urban-mobility-arrives-at-its-own-crossroads-588/

We need to stop building roads just for cars: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/We-need-to-stop-building-roads-just-for-cars-590/

Tories relying on Labour councils to boost cycling: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Tories-relying-on-Labour-councils-to-boost-cycling/51536

UK's first all-electric car charging forecourt opens in Essex: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/07/uk-first-all-electric-car-charging-forecourt-opens-in-essex

The curse of 'white oil': electric vehicles' dirty secret: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/08/the-curse-of-white-oil-electric-vehicles-dirty-secret-lithium

The importance of second life batteries for energy storage: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/12/01/the-importance-of-second-life-batteries-for-energy-storage/

The great hybrid car debate: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/12/07/the-great-hybrid-car-debate/

Air quality & pollution

Royal College of Physicians - Prescribing clean air: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/prescribing-clean-air

How have the Covid pandemic and lockdown affected air quality in cities? https://www.centreforcities.org/publication/covid-pandemic-lockdown-air-quality-cities/ “Air pollution in cities fell over the course of the first national lockdown, but now meets or exceeds pre-pandemic levels in 80 per cent of places studied.”

Air pollution spikes linked to lower test results: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/12/03/air-pollution-spikes-linked-to-lower-test-results/

Clean air policies are for the birds - According to a new estimate, reducing ozone pollution has saved 1.5 billion birds over the past 40 years: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/clean-air-policies-are-for-the-birds/

Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestlé named top plastic polluters for third year in a row: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/07/coca-cola-pepsi-and-nestle-named-top-plastic-polluters-for-third-year-in-a-row

Food & food security

Brexit food supply fears grow: 'It's too late, baby': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55230463

Amid Threat of Catastrophic Global Famine, COVID-19 Response Must Prioritize Food Security, Humanitarian Needs, Experts Tell General Assembly: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/amid-threat-catastrophic-global-famine-covid-19-response-must-prioritize-food-security

Anticipatory changes in British household purchases of soft drinks associated with the announcement of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: A controlled interrupted time series analysis: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003269#ack

Global Nutrition Report 2020: https://globalnutritionreport.org/

Researchers engineer bulkier wheat grains, boosting yields: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/researchers-engineer-bulkier-wheat-grains-boosting-yields/

Food affordability: the danger of the single story: https://www.thebetterfoodjourney.com/blog/food-affordability-the-danger-of-the-single-story

Ex-homelessness tsar launches food appeal and urges 'Beveridge moment': https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/07/million-people-uk-regularly-struggle-afford-food-report-poverty

The vegans’ dilemma: https://theecologist.org/2020/dec/04/vegans-dilemma

Good food must be a right for everyone: https://theecologist.org/2020/dec/03/good-food-must-be-right-everyone

Is a Scotch egg a meal? I investigated more than 300 council rulings to find out: https://theconversation.com/is-a-scotch-egg-a-meal-i-investigated-more-than-300-council-rulings-to-find-out-151320

WMHPG news, information and resources 04 December 2020

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Sustainable Development Goals data update, UK: December 2020: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/sustainabledevelopmentgoalstakingstockprogressandpossibilities/december2020

Is inequality inevitable? https://www.gatesnotes.com/Podcast/Is-inequality-inevitable

NEF - Winter plan for jobs, incomes and communities: https://neweconomics.org/2020/11/winter-plan-for-jobs-incomes-and-communities?mc_cid=e69b3f0f2f&mc_eid=330863fa78

NEF – Falling through the cracks: https://neweconomics.org/2020/11/falling-through-the-cracks

To what extent do socioeconomic inequalities in SRH (self-rated health) reflect inequalities in burden of disease? The HELIUS study: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/42/4/e412/5675478

Developing the Health Index for England: https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2020/12/03/developing-the-health-index-for-england/

NHS Scotland – alcohol specific deaths: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/alcohol-deaths/2019/alcohol-specific-deaths-19-main-points.pdf “019 represents the first substantial decrease in recent years, after a period of general increase since 2012.It also represents28% fewer deaths than the peak of 1,417 registered in 2006.”

Healthy planning & environment

TCPA - Why the Planning System needs to be at the heart of delivering the UK’s Climate Change targets: https://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/reports-and-publications/policy/planning/planning-white-paper-consultation-october-2020.pdf

The economic costs of planting, preserving, and managing the world’s forests to mitigate climate change: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19578-z

Following a t-shirt from cotton field to landfill shows the true cost of fast fashion: https://theconversation.com/following-a-t-shirt-from-cotton-field-to-landfill-shows-the-true-cost-of-fast-fashion-127363

Humans waging 'suicidal war' on nature - UN chief Antonio Guterres: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55147647

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon skyrockets to 12-year high under Bolsonaro: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment/deforestation-in-brazils-amazon-skyrockets-to-12-year-high-under-bolsonaro-idUKKBN28A2RG

Revealed: UK supermarket and fast food chicken linked to deforestation in Brazil: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/25/revealed-uk-supermarket-and-fast-food-chicken-linked-to-brazil-deforestation-soy-soya

Housing

Public housing needs radical reform: here’s how: https://theconversation.com/public-housing-needs-radical-reform-heres-how-149049

One person every minute calls Shelter's emergency helpline: https://www.localgov.co.uk/One-person-every-minute-calls-Shelters-emergency-helpline/

Climate change & sustainability

Health Justice Means Climate Justice and COP26. Join us in calling on the UK Government and the COP26 Leadership to: Commit to ambitious and historically accurate emissions reductions: Cancel all new fossil fuel extractive projects: Guarantee a Fossil Free COP26: https://www.medact.org/2020/actions/sign-ons/health-justice-means-climate-justice-at-cop26-%E2%94%80-letter-to-the-uk-government-cop26-leadership/

UK Spending Review 2020: Imperial experts respond: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/209493/uk-spending-review-2020-imperial-experts/

Solar geoengineering may not prevent strong warming from direct effects of CO2 on stratocumulus cloud cover: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/48/30179.short

Guest post: Investigating climate change’s ‘humidity paradox’: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-investigating-climate-changes-humidity-paradox

WMO Provisional Report on the State of the Global Climate 2020: https://library.wmo.int/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=21804#.X8e_KWhKg2w

Factcheck: What is the carbon footprint of streaming video on Netflix? https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-what-is-the-carbon-footprint-of-streaming-video-on-netflix

Britain's National Grid gets funding for hydrogen research facility: https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-hydrogen/britains-national-grid-gets-funding-for-hydrogen-research-facility-idUKKBN28A167

In-depth Q&A: Does the world need hydrogen to solve climate change? https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-does-the-world-need-hydrogen-to-solve-climate-change

1% of people cause half of global aviation emissions – study: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/17/people-cause-global-aviation-emissions-study-covid-19

EU urged to address aviation’s full climate impact, including non-CO2 emissions: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/11/26/eu-urged-address-aviations-full-climate-impact-including-non-co2-emissions/

UK cutting carbon from power grid ‘almost twice as fast as any other major economy’: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/uk-power-sector-emissions-decline-b1764044.html

'We packed long underwear and never wore it': Arctic scientists shocked at warming: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/13/arctic-melting-climate-change

More than 2,500 ‘excess deaths’ as summer heatwaves take toll: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2020/11/19/more-than-2500-excess-deaths-as-summer-heatwaves-take-toll/

Coronavirus: Tracking how the world’s ‘green recovery’ plans aim to cut emissions: https://www.carbonbrief.org/coronavirus-tracking-how-the-worlds-green-recovery-plans-aim-to-cut-emissions

Can shearing of Thwaites glacier slow or stop if humans control greenhouse gas emissions? https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/can-shearing-of-thwaites-glacier-slow-or-stop-if-humans-control-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Climate change is making autumn leaves change colour earlier – here’s why: https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-making-autumn-leaves-change-colour-earlier-heres-why-150662

Some stirring examples of 'blunt' talk on climate: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/some-stirring-examples-of-blunt-talk-on-climate

An ancient people with a modern climate plan: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/11/24/native-americans-climate-change-swinomish/

UK’s nuclear sites costing taxpayers ‘astronomical sums’, say MPs: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/27/uks-nuclear-sites-costing-taxpayers-astronomical-sums-say-mps

Free returns come at a cost to the climate: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/free-returns-come-at-a-cost-to-the-climate/

Black Friday and the climate emergency: https://theecologist.org/2020/nov/26/black-friday-and-climate-emergency

Investigation: How Pesticide Companies Are Marketing Themselves as a Solution to Climate Change: https://desmog.co.uk/2020/11/18/pesticides-industry-climate-change-marketing-pr

Active travel & transport

Plug-in hybrids: Is Europe heading for a new Dieselgate? https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/plug-hybrids-europe-heading-new-dieselgate

Aston Martin in row over 'sock puppet PR firm' pushing anti-electric vehicle study: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/02/aston-martin-pr-firm-anti-electric-vehicle-study

Hybrids…Solution or Stop Gap? https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/27/hybridssolution-or-stop-gap/

Electric cars: Questions raised over ‘misleading’ EV report: https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/electric-cars-questions-raised-misleading-ev-report-778113

The solution is the problem - A response to the UK Prime Minister’s plan to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030: https://theecologist.org/2020/nov/24/solution-problem

Legal Battle Looms After Confirmation That £700,000 Pop-Up Cycleway On Kensington High Street To Be Removed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/11/28/legal-battle-looms-after-confirmation-that-700000-pop-up-cycleway-on-kensington-high-street-to-be-removed/

Walking and cycling schemes are good for business, say retailers: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/walking-and-cycling-schemes-are-good-for-business-say-retailers/

Feature: Reconciling the ‘20-minute neighbourhood’: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/17/feature-reconciling-the-20-minute-neighbourhood/

Government forces carmakers to be more Henry Ford – and it will be good for them: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/20/government-forces-carmakers-to-be-more-henry-ford-and-it-will-be-good-for-them/

SUPERPOWER: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/SUPERPOWER-582/

Air quality & pollution

Inquest to determine if air pollution led to death of 9-year old Ella: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/30/inquest-to-determine-if-air-pollution-led-to-death-of-9-year-old-ella/

New study reveals high levels of pollution on London Underground: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/new-study-reveals-high-levels-of-pollution-on-london-underground

Public call for WHO air pollution limits to be enshrined in UK law: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/30/public-call-for-who-air-pollution-limits-to-be-enshrined-in-uk-law/

The Clean Air Act saved 1.5 billion birds: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/25/the-clean-air-act-saved-1-5-billion-birds/

Glass is worse for the environment than plastic, say researchers: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/glass-is-worse-for-the-environment-than-plastic-say-researchers/

94 million face masks being thrown away every week: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/94-million-face-masks-being-thrown-away-every-week/

Food & food security

UK food bank trust says half of users repaying universal credit debts: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/01/uk-food-bank-users-more-commonly-debt-government-trussell-trust

Prevalence of severe childhood obesity in Wales UK: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/42/4/e435/5661681

Environment to benefit from ‘biggest farming shake-up in 50 years’: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/30/environment-to-benefit-from-biggest-farming-shake-up-in-50-years

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Reduction Policies: Progress and Promise: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-103005

UK Agriculture Bill: how farming and forestry could co-exist happily: https://theconversation.com/uk-agriculture-bill-how-farming-and-forestry-could-co-exist-happily-151311

Undercover footage at French farm shows ‘deplorable’ conditions for pigs: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/undercover-footage-at-french-farm-shows-deplorable-conditions-for-pigs

And finally…

Natural History Museum – wildlife photographer of the year: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/gallery/2020-the-embrace?tags=ed.current

WMHPG news, information and resources 27 November 2020

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Not the usual topic for the update – but a fascinating read about a recurrence of smallpox at Birmingham University in 1978 - ‘It was a total invasion’: the virus that came back from the dead: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/21/it-was-a-total-invasion-the-virus-that-came-back-from-the-dead - case identification, contact tracing, ring vaccination – lessons for today?

Webinar – Institute of Health Equity & The Health Foundation: Build back fairer: Inequalities and COVID-19 in England. Dec 15 9am. https://thehealthfoundation.zoom.us/webinar/register/2216061336310/WN_h0NPQe3BSW6TFYZl0JvIvg

A COVID-19 pandemic world and beyond: The health impact of home and agile working in Wales report published: https://whiasu.publichealthnetwork.cymru/en/news/covid-19-pandemic-world-and-beyond-health-impact-home-and-agile-working-wales-report-published/

Podcast – Danny Dorling on inequality: https://www.compassonline.org.uk/podcast/?link_id=4&can_id=dd6258d92993d0661aca84a790a64a40

Conscious Fashion Campaign launches virtual event to promote UN Sustainable Development Goals: https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/conscious-fashion-campaign-launches-virtual-event-to-promote-un-sustainable-development-goals/2020112452134

Healthy planning & environment

“It made me feel brighter in myself”- The health and well-being impacts of a residential front garden horticultural intervention: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016920462030325X “The research highlights the importance of residential front gardens to human health and well-being, and thus their contribution to the wider debates around city densification, natural capital and urban planning.”

Future Wales –Looking forwards or backwards? https://lichfields.uk/media/6224/future-wales-looking-forwards-or-backwards.pdf

One-fifth of ecosystems in danger of collapse – here’s what that might look like: https://theconversation.com/one-fifth-of-ecosystems-in-danger-of-collapse-heres-what-that-might-look-like-148137

Flooding can help resurrect wetlands and slow climate change – here’s how: https://theconversation.com/flooding-can-help-resurrect-wetlands-and-slow-climate-change-heres-how-148939

Engaging farmers and landowners is key to protecting biodiversity: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/engaging-farmers-and-landowners-is-key-to-protecting-biodiversity/

Housing

Accommodation-based programmes for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/accommodation-based-programmes-for-individuals-experiencing-or-at-risk-of-homelessness/

Building post-pandemic prosperity: https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/housing-and-planning/building-post-pandemic-prosperity

Climate change & sustainability

WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin (GHG Bulletin) - No. 16: The State of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere Based on Global Observations through 2019: https://library.wmo.int/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=21795#.X7-g0rOnyHs

Climate change: Covid pandemic has little impact on rise in CO2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55018581

Media reaction: Boris Johnson’s ‘10-point’ net-zero plan for climate change: https://www.carbonbrief.org/media-reaction-boris-johnsons-10-point-net-zero-plan-for-climate-change

Press Release: TCPA responds to Prime Minister's ten-point climate plan: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/news/press-release-tcpa-responds-to-prime-ministers-ten-point-climate-plan

Responses and comment on the Comprehensive Spending Review – overall reactions

Comments about the National Infrastructure Review

Comments about the planned cut to international aid funding

UK to double renewables capacity eligible for next subsidy auctions: https://de.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-renewables/uk-to-double-renewables-capacity-eligible-for-next-subsidy-auctions-idUKKBN28400M

The airline industry has a super-emitter problem: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/11/the-airline-industry-has-a-super-emitter-problem/

Arctic wildfires are lasting longer and burning more intensely: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/arctic-wildfires-are-lasting-longer-and-burning-more-intensely/

UK is underprepared for increase in heatwaves: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/uk-is-underprepared-for-increase-in-heatwaves/

John Kerry: First ever US climate envoy warns Paris agreement 'is not enough': https://news.sky.com/story/john-kerry-first-ever-us-climate-envoy-warns-paris-agreement-is-not-enough-12141270

Active travel & transport

Barcelona to convert a third of central streets into car-free green spaces: https://www.dezeen.com/2020/11/19/barcelona-eixample-masterplan-streets-green-space/

ISPAH’s Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity: https://www.ispah.org/resources/key-resources/8-investments/

'No need to speed’: Slow down, save lives.: http://www.transport-network.co.uk/No-need-to-speed-Slow-down-save-lives/16974

Air quality & pollution

Air quality in Europe – 2020 report: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2020-report

AI and satellite technology reveals detailed map of air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/20/ai-and-satellite-technology-reveals-detailed-map-of-air-pollution/

Study shows how air pollution exposures affect mental health in older people: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201118/Study-shows-how-air-pollution-exposures-affect-mental-health-in-older-people.aspx

Students create device to capture car tyre microplastic debris: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-54980602

Microplastic pollution found near summit of Mount Everest: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/20/microplastic-pollution-found-near-summit-of-mount-everest

Campaigners call for UK and EU bans on plastic 'sample' sachets: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/26/campaigners-call-for-uk-and-eu-bans-on-plastic-sample-sachets

Food & food security

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Seminar Series on Food: https://globalnutritionreport.org/events/world-wildlife-fund-wwf-kathryn-fuller-science-nature-seminar-series-food/

In the most comprehensive study to date, researchers found that greener farming methods don’t compromise yields: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/11/farming-that-embraces-nature-doesnt-lose-out-on-yields/

WMHPG news, information and resources 20 November 2020

West Midlands Healthy Urban Development Group

Weekly update: news, information and resources

 

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

International Institute for Sustainable Development – Responsible Business: https://www.iisd.org/topics/responsible-business

The 2020 Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals: Stories and insights through innovative visuals: https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/2020-atlas-sustainable-development-goals-stories-and-insights-through-innovative-visuals

Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life: https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3048

Expanding childcare in Wales could loosen poverty’s grip on families: https://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/expanding-childcare-wales-could-loosen-poverty-grip-families

'It’s desperate': stories from the frontline of the Covid jobs crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/10/covid-jobs-crisis-redundant

From dough to doughnuts: Charting Europe’s post-pandemic future: https://meta.eeb.org/2020/11/10/from-dough-to-doughnuts-charting-europes-post-pandemic-future/

Healthy planning & environment

Consultation – Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy: https://lcrsds.commonplace.is/ “Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is continuing work on developing its first Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). The Metro Mayor and Combined Authority are committed to ensuring that local people have the opportunity to genuinely influence local decision-making. The overriding purpose of this second stage 'Our Places' engagement is to make sure the SDS continues to be shaped positively and meaningfully by the people of the Liverpool City Region.”

The Power of Placemaking through Corporate Social Responsibility: https://www.pps.org/article/the-power-of-placemaking-through-corporate-social-responsibility

Housing

The relationship between housing created through Permitted Development Rights and health: a systematic review: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AASPSIFZD6PKEGI2PKJH/full?target=10.1080/23748834.2020.1833281 “These findings provide an indication of the impacts of deregulating a planning system without explicitly considering health and wellbeing. They warrant further assessment of how to enable the change of a buildings use to take place whilst also ensuring the homes created are supportive of good health.”

Impact of housing design and placemaking on social value and wellbeing in the pandemic – Interim report: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/impact-of-housing-design-and-placemaking-on-social-value-and-wellbeing-in-the-pandemic-interim-report/

Forgotten mothers: the case for a policy focus on the experiences of motherhood and homelessness: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/forgotten-mothers-the-case-for-a-policy-focus-on-the-experiences-of-motherhood-and-homelessness/

Delivering more homes and better places: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/delivering-more-homes-and-better-places/

Climate change & sustainability

UK Government announces 10 point climate plan;

Comment and reactions;

UKHACC Response to the DfT’s Consultation on ending the sale of new petrol, diesel & hybrid cars & vans: http://www.ukhealthalliance.org/ukhacc-response-to-the-dfts-consultation-on-ending-the-sale-of-new-petrol-diesel-hybrid-cars-vans/

Ministers Met With Fossil Fuel Producers 149 Times While Planning Green Recovery: https://desmog.co.uk/2020/11/10/beis-government-ministers-fossil-fuels-meetings-covid-green-recovery

The global scale, distribution and growth of aviation: Implications for climate change: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378020307779

Government to help fund four carbon capture and storage hubs in the UK: https://www.itv.com/news/2020-11-16/government-to-help-fund-four-carbon-capture-and-storage-hubs-in-the-uk

Carbon dioxide removal sucks: https://theecologist.org/2020/nov/13/carbon-dioxide-removal-sucks

Sustainable Health Equity: Achieving a Net-Zero UK: http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/sustainable-health-equity-achieving-a-net-zero-uk

Greenland is melting: we need to worry about what’s happening on the largest island in the world: https://theconversation.com/greenland-is-melting-we-need-to-worry-about-whats-happening-on-the-largest-island-in-the-world-150261

Is the climate crisis pushing the world towards a ‘point of no return’? https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-crisis-tipping-point-world-warm-b1721822.html

Invention that makes renewable energy from rotting veg wins James Dyson prize: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/nov/19/invention-that-makes-renewable-energy-from-rotting-veg-wins-james-dyson-prize

Decarbonising The Bank Of England’s Pandemic QE: https://neweconomics.org/uploads/files/NEF-Decarbonise-BoE-report.pdf

Britain yet to choose between carbon tax or trading scheme post-Brexit: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/britain-yet-to-choose-between-carbon-tax-or-trading-scheme-post-brexit/articleshow/79193594.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

International Energy Authority – Renewables 2020: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2020?s=09 “Renewables 2020 provides detailed analysis and forecasts through 2025 of the impact of Covid-19 on renewables in the electricity heat and transport sectors.”

Ships moved more than 11 billion tonnes of our stuff around the globe last year, and it’s killing the climate. This week is a chance to change: https://theconversation.com/ships-moved-more-than-11-billion-tonnes-of-our-stuff-around-the-globe-last-year-and-its-killing-the-climate-this-week-is-a-chance-to-change-150078

Revealed: The social media campaign spending thousands to promote climate denial online set up by chair of pro-Brexit think tank: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-denial-online-facebook-brexit-think-tank-b1639923.html?s=09

How One Firm Drove Influence Campaigns Nationwide for Big Oil: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/climate/fti-consulting.html

Revealed: The social media campaign spending thousands to promote climate denial online set up by chair of pro-Brexit think tank: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-denial-online-facebook-brexit-think-tank-b1639923.html

Four climate strategies that could reach across partisan divides: h ttps://theconversation.com/four-climate-strategies-that-could-reach-across-partisan-divides-150100

Active travel & transport

LTNs for all? Mapping the extent of London’s new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d30896202a18c0001b49180/t/5fb246b254d7bd32ba4cec90/1605519046389/LTNs+for+all.pdf

Tory MPs call for an end to active travel schemes: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/11/tory-mps-call-for-an-end-to-active-travel-schemes/

Taking the politics out of road pricing: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/Taking-the-politics-out-of-road-pricing-577/

Road pricing could offset loss of fuel duty from electric cars: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/16/road-pricing-could-offset-loss-of-fuel-duty-from-electric-cars

Air quality & pollution

How air pollution affects homeless populations: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201113154626.htm

The public are unaware of the health impacts of indoor fires: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/11/the-public-are-unaware-of-the-health-impacts-of-indoor-fires/

Open fires negatively impact cognitive health: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/16/open-fires-negatively-impact-cognitive-health/

Global treaty to tackle plastic pollution gains steam without US and UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/16/us-and-uk-yet-to-show-support-for-global-treaty-to-tackle-plastic-pollution

Dear Joe Biden: are you kidding me? Erin Brockovich: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/19/dear-joe-biden-are-you-kidding-me-erin-brockovich

Food & food security

The British government's first disaster of 2021? A food shortage: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/17/british-government-food-shortage-uk-fresh-europe-ports-storage-space

‘Landmark moment’ as Agriculture Bill passed into law: https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/eu-referendum/landmark-moment-as-agriculture-bill-passed-into-law

2,600 food parcels provided for children every day in first six months of the pandemic: https://www.trusselltrust.org/2020/11/12/2600-food-parcels-provided-for-children-every-day-in-first-six-months-of-the-pandemic/

Angry Chef -  The Immunity Protocols of Pioppi: https://angry-chef.com/blog/the-immunity-protocols-of-pioppi?s=09 (language warning)

WMHPG news, information and resources 13 November 2020

West Midlands Healthy Urban Development Group

Weekly update: news, information and resources

 

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Real Living Wage Increases To £9.50 In Uk And £10.85 In London As Cost Of Living Rises: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/news/real-living-wage-increases-%C2%A3950-uk-and-%C2%A31085-london-cost-living-rises%C2%A0%C2%A0

Children in UK lag behind international counterparts in healthy development: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/05/children-in-uk-lag-behind-international-counterparts-in-healthy-development

Child poverty set to become 'national crisis', warns former PM: https://news.sky.com/story/child-poverty-set-to-become-national-crisis-warns-former-pm-12121957

Official Statistics: Child education and homelessness: 2020 update: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-education-and-homelessness-2020-update

Poverty in Wales 2020: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/poverty-wales-2020

The UK welfare system is failing claimants with mental health problems – here’s what needs to be done: https://theconversation.com/the-uk-welfare-system-is-failing-claimants-with-mental-health-problems-heres-what-needs-to-be-done-149048

Healthy planning & environment

Healthy City Design International 2020. 30 Nov – 3 Dec: Designing resilient communities: Recovery, renewal and renaissance: https://www.accelevents.com/e/HCD2020

The People and Nature Survey for England: Monthly interim indicators for September 2020 (Experimental Statistics): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-people-and-nature-survey-for-england-monthly-interim-indicators-for-september-2020-experimental-statistics “Interim experimental indicators from the People and Nature Survey, covering the period 1-30 September 2020, to understand the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on how people use the natural environment in England.”

National Audit Office - Achieving government’s long-term environmental goals: https://www.nao.org.uk/report/achieving-governments-long-term-environmental-goals/

Children’s views should be taken into account when designing urban space: https://theconversation.com/childrens-views-should-be-taken-into-account-when-designing-urban-space-148888

Focus on freshwater conservation, and land gets swept along for the ride: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/11/focus-on-freshwater-conservation-and-land-gets-swept-along-for-the-ride

The Environmental Effects of Free Trade Agreements: https://more.bham.ac.uk/eutip/the-environmental-effects-of-free-trade-agreements/

We found a way to turn urine into solid fertiliser – it could make farming more sustainable: https://theconversation.com/we-found-a-way-to-turn-urine-into-solid-fertiliser-it-could-make-farming-more-sustainable-148877

Media Release: IPBES #PandemicsReport: Escaping the 'Era of Pandemics': https://ipbes.net/pandemics

Housing

RIBA - Homes for all: Putting council housing at the heart of local recovery: https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/homes-for-all-council-housing-report

Councils asked to review rough sleeping plans: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Councils-asked-to-review-rough-sleeping-plans/51366

Charities urge return of homelessness scheme in English lockdown: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/06/charities-urge-return-of-homelessness-scheme-in-english-lockdown

Homes England funding rule undermines ‘levelling-up agenda’: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Homes-England-funding-rule-undermines-levelling-up-agenda/51338

Climate change & sustainability

Ashden & London Climate Week virtual events;

Climate change, migration and urbanisation: patterns in sub-Saharan Africa: https://theconversation.com/amp/climate-change-migration-and-urbanisation-patterns-in-sub-saharan-africa-149036

The carbon footprint of AI and cloud computing: http://geographical.co.uk/nature/energy/item/3876-the-carbon-footprint-of-ai-and-cloud-computing

Reaching UK net zero target cheaper than we thought, says climate adviser: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/12/reaching-uk-net-zero-target-cheaper-than-we-thought-says-climate-adviser

U.K. Delays Energy Policy Paper, Leaving Questions on Green Goal: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-11/u-k-delays-energy-policy-paper-leaving-questions-on-green-goal

IEA: Wind and solar capacity will overtake both gas and coal globally by 2024: https://www.carbonbrief.org/iea-wind-and-solar-capacity-will-overtake-both-gas-and-coal-globally-by-2024

Hydrogen: where is low-carbon fuel most useful for decarbonisation? https://theconversation.com/hydrogen-where-is-low-carbon-fuel-most-useful-for-decarbonisation-147696

Hydrogen homes is a terrible idea: https://theecologist.org/2020/nov/03/hydrogen-homes-terrible-idea

UK to make climate risk reports mandatory for large companies: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/09/uk-to-make-climate-risk-reports-mandatory-for-large-companies

Media reaction: What Joe Biden’s US election victory means for climate change: https://www.carbonbrief.org/media-reaction-what-joe-bidens-us-election-victory-means-for-climate-change

Hurricane season: Record number of named Atlantic storms: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54887071

Climate of Change: UEA's climate story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKH0-fk8Cro&feature=youtu.be

CORRECTED-S.African investors exit local coal project on climate concerns: https://uk.reuters.com/article/climatechange-safrica-coal/s-african-investors-exit-local-coal-project-on-climate-concerns-idUKL8N2HR8NN

Rolls-Royce vows to create 6,000 UK jobs with nuclear power station plans: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/11/rolls-royce-vows-to-create-6000-uk-jobs-with-nuclear-power-station-plans

Putin orders Russian government to work towards Paris climate goals: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-russia-climatechange/putin-orders-russian-government-to-try-to-meet-paris-climate-goals-idUKKBN27L2AS

Active travel & transport

Retail expert predicts ‘carless’ town centres: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/05/retail-expert-predicts-carless-town-centres/

ISPAH’s Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity | #8Investments: https://www.ispah.org/resources/key-resources/8-investments/

Encouraging walking and cycling isn't hard – here are three tried and tested methods: https://theconversation.com/amp/encouraging-walking-and-cycling-isnt-hard-here-are-three-tried-and-tested-methods-147490

We must think outside the delivery box before it’s too late: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/We-must-think-outside-the-delivery-box-before-it-s-too-late-576/

How to cycle in the rain: Look after your bike and keep dry: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2020/everyday-walking-and-cycling/how-to-cycle-in-the-rain-look-after-your-bike-and-keep-yourself-dry

Air quality & pollution

The links between Covid-19 and air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/04/the-links-between-covid-19-and-air-pollution/

UK number 2 for generating ‘e-waste’ in the world: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/uk-number-2-for-generating-e-waste-in-the-world/

Bonfire night led to a dramatic spike in air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/10/bonfire-night-led-to-a-dramatic-spike-in-air-pollution/

Food & food security

The Geopolitics of Food Security: Barriers to the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/geopolitics-food-security-barriers-sustainable-development-goal-zero-hunger

UK to ban all online junk food advertising to tackle obesity: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/nov/10/uk-to-ban-all-online-junk-food-advertising-to-tackle-obesity

The food industry isn’t sustainable for our health or the climate. That’s why we need a carbon tax: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/food-industry-carbon-tax-climate-change-public-health-coronavirus-b1719815.html

And finally….

Shell’s climate poll on Twitter backfires spectacularly: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/03/shells-climate-poll-on-twitter-backfires-spectacularly

WMHPG news, information and resources 6 November 2020

West Midlands Healthy Urban Development Group

Weekly update: news, information and resources

 

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Accelerating evidence-informed decision-making for the Sustainable Development Goals using machine learning: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-020-00235-5

This is your brain on neoliberalism: https://neweconomics.org/2020/10/this-is-your-brain-on-neoliberalism

Healthy planning & environment

Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health – edition 6 : https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/edition-6.html?s=09

TCPA – Common Ground – a shared vision for planning reform: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/commonground

Great Place Guide – Canberra: https://www.act.gov.au/cityrenewal/get-involved/great-place-guide

Bristol City Council considers ban on adverts for junk food, polluting cars and gambling: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/bristol-city-council-considers-ban-on-adverts-for-junk-food-polluting-cars-and-gambling/

There is still something to be said for human silence: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/11/there-is-still-something-to-be-said-for-human-silence/

Protect nature or face deadlier pandemics than COVID-19, scientists warn: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-biodiversity/protect-nature-or-face-deadlier-pandemics-than-covid-19-scientists-warn-idUKKBN27E2NK

Farming for Nature – Best Practice Guides: https://www.farmingfornature.ie/resources/best-practice-guides/

Smoke cloud from Australian summer’s bushfires three-times larger than anything previously recorded: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/nov/03/smoke-cloud-from-australian-summers-bushfires-three-times-larger-than-anything-previously-recorded

Get Africa’s Great Green Wall back on track: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03080-z

Central Asia risks becoming a hyperarid desert in the near future: https://theconversation.com/central-asia-risks-becoming-a-hyperarid-desert-in-the-near-future-148703

Cenozoic evolution of the steppe-desert biome in Central Asia: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/41/eabb8227 “Past responses to disturbance in the Asian steppe-desert imply that modern ecosystems are unlikely to recover their present structures and diversity if forced into a new regime. This is of concern for Asian steppes today, which are being modified for human use and lost to desertification at unprecedented rates.”

Housing

Low-carbon building toolkit launches: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/low-carbon-building-toolkit-launches/

Climate change & sustainability

Guest post: How declining ice in clouds makes high ‘climate sensitivity’ plausible: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-declining-ice-in-clouds-makes-high-climate-sensitivity-plausible

CMIP6: the next generation of climate models explained: https://www.carbonbrief.org/cmip6-the-next-generation-of-climate-models-explained

Geo-engineering: It’s probably not a good idea: https://climatenewsnetwork.net/geo-engineering-its-probably-not-a-good-idea/

The US has left the Paris climate deal — what’s next? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03066-x

UK health professions call for climate tax on meat: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/04/uk-health-professions-call-for-climate-tax-on-meat

To achieve net-zero we must address social inequality: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/to-achieve-net-zero-we-must-address-social-inequality/

Warmer climate and Arctic sea ice in a veritable suicide pact: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/10/warmer-climate-and-arctic-sea-ice-in-a-veritable-suicide-pact/

Euro hydrogen industry could be worth €120bn by 2050: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/03/euro-hydrogen-industry-could-be-worth-e120bn-by-2050/

Solar panel installations by homeowners and power companies plummet after subsidy cuts: https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/solar-panel-installations-homeowners-power-companies-plummet-749069

Greta Thunberg Hears Your Excuses. She Is Not Impressed: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/02/magazine/greta-thunberg-interview.html

Biden leans into climate change with two new ads.: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/us/elections/biden-leans-into-climate-change-with-two-new-ads.html

New nuclear plant at Sizewell set for green light: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54754016

Tesla Project to Install Another Giant Battery in Australia: https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-11-05/tesla-project-will-install-another-giant-battery-in-australia

Exxon to cut 14,000 jobs as pandemic hits oil demand: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxonmobil-layoffs/exxon-to-cut-1900-u-s-jobs-as-pandemic-hurts-demand-idUSKBN27E2QO

Innovation is an essential part of dealing with climate change: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/10/31/innovation-is-an-essential-part-of-dealing-with-climate-change

Shell’s climate poll on Twitter backfires spectacularly: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/03/shells-climate-poll-on-twitter-backfires-spectacularly

Active travel & transport

Bristol University looking for people to participate in walking and retirement study: https://www.bristolhealthpartners.org.uk/latest-news/2020/11/05/bristol-university-looking-for-people-to-participate-in-walking-and-retirement-study/1372

Does commuting mode choice impact health? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.4184?s=09

Many local areas have introduced low traffic neighbourhoods during lockdown. This have had a mixed reception and discussions about continuing them in the longer term.

Scotland has recieved four times more EV funding than England: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/29/scotland-has-recieved-four-times-more-ev-funding-than-england/

Councils urged to keep active travel schemes to avoid 'traffic gridlock': https://www.localgov.co.uk/Councils-urged-to-keep-active-travel-schemes-to-avoid-traffic-gridlock/51339

Air quality & pollution

Tiny air pollution rise linked to 11% more Covid-19 deaths – study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/04/tiny-air-pollution-rise-linked-to-11-more-covid-19-deaths-study - original paper here: Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States: Strengths and limitations of an ecological regression analysis: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/45/eabd4049

Thousands of workers exposed to dangerous air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/27/thousands-of-workers-exposed-to-dangerous-air-pollution/

Burning solid fuels led to 1 million deaths in 2014: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/11/03/burning-biomass-led-to-an-estimated-1-million-deaths-in-china-in-2014/

Air fryers pose indoor air pollution risk: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/23/air-fryers-pose-indoor-air-pollution-risk/

What Can You Do With Your Old Electrical Wires and Cables? https://earth911.com/inspire/what-can-you-do-with-your-old-electrical-wires-and-cables/

Food & food security

Farmers call on MPs to support food and farming standards in the Ag Bill: https://www.sustainweb.org/news/nov20-farmers-letter-mps/

UK Health Alliance on Climate Change - Building a Healthier Food System for Food and Planet: http://www.ukhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UKHACC-ALL-Consuming-Building-a-Healthier-Food-System-for-People-Planet.pdf

Webinar – 24 November - The future for food labelling in the UK - government strategy and options for reform, standards and safety, and future trading relationships: https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/Food-labelling-policy-in-the-UK

Charities tell PM to protect children from ‘winter of hunger’: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Charities-tell-PM-to-protect-children-from-winter-of-hunger/51353

Reviving county farms: https://www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/December-2019_Reviving-county-farms.pdf

WMHPG news, information and resources 30 October 2020

We do not accept responsibility for the availability, reliability or content of these news items and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Sustainable development goals

Faculty of Public Health – Emergency Brexit Webinar, October 19 2020: https://betterhealthforall.org/ (scroll down for article). Full recording of the webinar available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFluGuavgzU

The false promise of herd immunity for COVID-19: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02948-4

A Wealth of Data: New Insight on Economic Inequality: https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2020/10/22/a-wealth-of-data-new-insight-on-economic-inequality/

JRF Webinar - Navigating the storm: charting a course to solve rising poverty in Wales: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8616026883592/WN_iOZXT6VcSZC3Jr6D4-YhBQ

Healthy planning & environment

PHE - Health Impact Assessment in spatial planning: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-impact-assessment-in-spatial-planning “This guide is for local authority public health and planning teams and supports the use of Health Impact Assessment in the spatial planning process.”

'Massive' coral reef taller than the Empire State Building discovered in Australia: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/amp/great-barrier-reef-skyscraper-intl-scli-scn/index.html

Swiss study shows that paying people to conserve biodiversity pays off: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/10/swiss-study-shows-that-paying-people-to-conserve-biodiversity-pays-off/

Machine Learning-Based Integration of High-Resolution Wildfire Smoke Simulations and Observations for Regional Health Impact Assessment: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/12/2137

Household recycling 'soared' during pandemic: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Household-recycling-soared-during-pandemic/51261

Amsterdam releases 5,000 leaf fleas to halt Japanese knotweed spread: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/23/amsterdam-releases-leaf-fleas-halt-japanese-knotweed-growth

Bringing back the beast: rewilding projects are expanding European carnivore range: http://geographical.co.uk/nature/wildlife/item/3868-bringing-back-the-predators-rewilding-projects-are-expanding-european-carnivore-ranges

In the face of a global pandemic, how can conservation efforts reduce the chance that poaching will spread disease? https://ensia.com/features/infectious-disease-spillover-covid-poaching-wildlife-trade-africa/

Housing

Stories from lockdown: interviews show how poor housing quality made life even more tough: https://theconversation.com/stories-from-lockdown-interviews-show-how-poor-housing-quality-made-life-even-more-tough-148686

Rural homelessness doubles since 2018, rural campaigners say: https://www.cpre.org.uk/about-us/cpre-media/rural-homelessness-doubles-since-2018/

Climate change & sustainability

State of the climate: 2020 on course to be warmest year on record: https://www.carbonbrief.org/state-of-the-climate-2020-on-course-to-be-warmest-year-on-record

The Carbon Brief Quiz 2020: https://www.carbonbrief.org/the-carbon-brief-quiz-2020

'Sleeping giant' Arctic methane deposits starting to release, scientists find: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/27/sleeping-giant-arctic-methane-deposits-starting-to-release-scientists-find

Alarm as Arctic sea ice not yet freezing at latest date on record: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/22/alarm-as-arctic-sea-ice-not-yet-freezing-at-latest-date-on-record

Scientists honing new ways to measure a city's carbon footprint: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/10/scientists-honing-new-ways-to-measure-a-citys-carbon-footprint/

Why lockdown had little to no effect on global temperatures: https://theconversation.com/why-lockdown-had-little-to-no-effect-on-global-temperatures-148129

How Norway produces hydropower with a minimal carbon footprint: https://www.theexplorer.no/stories/energy/how-norway-produces-hydropower-with-a-minimal-carbon-footprint/

EU leaders kick 2030 emissions decision to December: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-kick-2030-emissions-decision-to-december/

Mapped: How climate change disproportionately affects women’s health: https://www.carbonbrief.org/mapped-how-climate-change-disproportionately-affects-womens-health

Climatewatch: the insecurity market: http://geographical.co.uk/opinion/item/3866-climatewatch-the-insecurity-market

Animal agriculture is responsible for 14% of global CO2 emissions: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/animal-agriculture-is-responsible-for-14-of-global-co2-emissions/

Climate change: 'Dangerous and dirty' used cars sold to Africa: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54665545

Street turbines #power your home: https://twitter.com/CurieuxExplorer/status/1319155909004685312

BP leads energy companies preparing two major UK carbon capture projects: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/27/bp-leads-energy-companies-preparing-two-major-uk-carbon-capture-projects

British Poo-troleum: https://theecologist.org/2020/oct/21/british-poo-troleum

Japan aims for zero emissions, carbon neutral society by 2050 – PM: https://uk.reuters.com/article/japan-politics-suga/update-1-japan-aims-for-zero-emissions-carbon-neutral-society-by-2050-pm-idUKL4N2HH1AC

Active travel & transport

Connecting people and places: Exploring new measures of travel behavior: https://www.brookings.edu/interactives/connecting-people-and-places-exploring-new-measures-of-travel-behavior/

Despite a loud opposing minority, low-traffic neighbourhoods are increasingly popular: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/oct/22/despite-a-loud-opposing-minority-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-are-increasingly-popular

The new transport agenda – the new normal: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/news.php/The-new-transport-agenda-the-new-normal-571/

‘No deal’ Brexit will increase price of electric vehicles: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/22/no-deal-brexit-will-increase-price-of-electric-vehicles/

The unsustainability of the electric car: https://meta.eeb.org/2020/10/22/the-unsustainability-of-the-electric-car/

Air quality & pollution

Small increases in air pollution linked to rise in depression, finds study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/24/small-increases-in-air-pollution-linked-to-rise-in-depression-finds-study

New study links air pollution to 15 percent of COVID-19 deaths: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/27/new-study-links-air-pollution-15-percent-of-covid-19-deaths

Air pollution costs UK residents £880 a year: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/21/air-pollution-costs-uk-residents-880-a-year/

Working from home could lead to spike in indoor air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2020/10/22/working-from-home-could-lead-to-spike-in-indoor-air-pollution/

The war against plastic is distracting us from pollution that cannot be seen: https://theconversation.com/the-war-against-plastic-is-distracting-us-from-pollution-that-cannot-be-seen-147161

Most plastic recycling produces low-value materials – but we’ve found a way to turn a common plastic into high-value molecules: https://theconversation.com/most-plastic-recycling-produces-low-value-materials-but-weve-found-a-way-to-turn-a-common-plastic-into-high-value-molecules-148506

Paper recycling isn’t necessarily good for the climate: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/10/paper-recycling-isnt-necessarily-good-for-the-climate/

Food & food security

A whole new way of doing nutrition research: https://theconversation.com/a-whole-new-way-of-doing-nutrition-research-148352

Time to take unhealthy options out of the spotlight – we need tough restrictions on junk food ads: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/time-take-unhealthy-options-spotlight-need-tough-restrictions/?s=09

And finally….

23 Best Climate Change Science Fiction Books: https://best-sci-fi-books.com/23-best-climate-change-science-fiction-books/

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