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WMHPG news, information and resources 11 November 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

Budget measures bring number of families entitled to Universal Credit to 7 million: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/15818

Bristol infant school limits heating to tackle fuel costs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-59181519

Make extreme wealth extinct: it’s the only way to avoid climate breakdown: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/10/extreme-wealth-polluting-climate-breakdown-rich

Healthy planning & environment

We can’t afford to just build greener. We must build less: https://theconversation.com/we-cant-afford-to-just-build-greener-we-must-build-less-170570

Designing Neighbourhoods: The Value of Good Design by UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/designing-neighbourhoods-the-value-of-good-design-tickets-183489972447

The Enormous Hole That Whaling Left Behind: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/11/whaling-whales-food-krill-iron/620604/

Powerful street art unveiled highlighting species loss and climate change: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/231560/powerful-street-unveiled-highlighting-species-loss/

Housing

Building Back Britain Commission – Paper One: Levelling up and the housing challenge: https://buildingbackbritain.com/our-research/paper-one-levelling-up-and-the-housing-challenge/

Unwinding The Pandemic Rent Arrears Crisis: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/unwinding-the-pandemic-rent-arrears-crisis/

The Pandemic Arrears Crisis - Private landlord perspectives on the temporary legislation impacting the Private Rented Sector: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/the-pandemic-arrears-crisis/

People with mental health issues three times more likely to fall into council tax arrears, charity warns: https://www.localgov.co.uk/People-with-mental-health-issues-three-times-more-likely-to-fall-into-council-tax-arrears-charity-warns/53250

The Scale, Causes And Impacts Of Homelessness Among EEA Citizens: https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/246343/eea-report_v3.pdf

What changes does the sector need to make to offer high-quality housing to homeless people? https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/sponsored/sponsored/what-changes-does-the-sector-need-to-make-to-offer-high-quality-housing-to-homeless-people

Climate change & sustainability

COP26 – I could have produced a whole email on COP26 – so I’ve selected some sites that provide comprehensive updates and summaries from COP26

Reuters – COP26 updates: https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/

ClimateTracker.org – COP26 updates: https://climatetracker.org/category/cop26-coverage/

Draft COP26 agreement – ‘draft cover decision’: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Overarching_decision_1-CMA-3.pdf

COP26: what the draft climate agreement says – and why it’s being criticised: https://theconversation.com/cop26-what-the-draft-climate-agreement-says-and-why-its-being-criticised-171632

‘COP26 is a failure’: Greta Thunberg says climate summit has turned into a PR event: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/greta-thunberg-says-cop26-climate-summit-is-a-failure-and-a-pr-event.html

Glasgow’s one degree 2030 credibility gap: net zero’s lip service to climate action: https://climateactiontracker.org/press/Glasgows-one-degree-2030-credibility-gap-net-zeros-lip-service-to-climate-action/

COP26: World headed for 2.4C warming despite climate summit – report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59220687

In Glasgow, I saw three big shifts in the climate conversation: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Energy/Reflections-from-COP26

Analysis: Do COP26 promises keep global warming below 2C? https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-do-cop26-promises-keep-global-warming-below-2c

What Happened In Glasgow? https://neweconomics.org/2021/11/what-happened-in-glasgow

COP26: Fossil fuel industry has largest delegation at climate summit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59199484.amp

COP26: Seven reasons global transport is so hard to decarbonise: https://theconversation.com/cop26-seven-reasons-global-transport-is-so-hard-to-decarbonise-170908

COP26: how the world’s militaries hide their huge carbon emissions: https://theconversation.com/cop26-how-the-worlds-militaries-hide-their-huge-carbon-emissions-171466

Getting to net zero in UK public services: The road to decarbonisation: https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2021/11/26609.pdf

Gender and climate change - Overview of linkages between gender and climate change: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/gender-and-climate-change-overview-linkages-between-gender-and-climate-change

ONS - Three-quarters of adults in Great Britain worry about climate change: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/threequartersofadultsingreatbritainworryaboutclimatechange/2021-11-05

Net zero: A just transition is necessary, and is key for maintaining public support: https://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/net-zero-just-transition-necessary-and-key-maintaining-public-support

Women’s participation is essential to achieve global climate targets: https://theconversation.com/womens-participation-is-essential-to-achieve-global-climate-targets-171510

Tidal turbines could generate 11% of the UK’s power – new research: https://theconversation.com/tidal-turbines-could-generate-11-of-the-uks-power-new-research-168890

Energy Price Crisis: The Answer Is More Climate Action, Not Less: https://meta.eeb.org/2021/10/21/energy-price-crisis-the-answer-is-more-climate-action-not-less/

Rolls-Royce gets funding to develop mini nuclear reactors: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59212983

Active travel & transport

‘Forced Car Ownership’ in the UK and Germany: Socio-Spatial Patterns and Potential Economic Stress Impacts: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/viewFile/1081/1081

Charities call for easing of zebra crossing rules to promote walking: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/07/charities-call-for-easing-of-zebra-crossing-rules-to-promote-walking

Councils warn investment in bus services is vital to meet climate targets: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/07/charities-call-for-easing-of-zebra-crossing-rules-to-promote-walking

Air quality & pollution

Air Quality News Magazine: https://airqualitynews.com/aqn-magazine/

Ammonia from farms behind 60% of UK particulate air pollution – study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/04/ammonia-from-farms-behind-60-of-uk-particulate-air-pollution-study

Air pollution disproportionally affects people of color, lower-income residents in DC: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211108130240.htm

Food and food security

Prevalence of food security in the UK measured by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdab120/6232493

Food security: What is it and how is it measured? https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/food-security-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-measured/

The Hunger Project: https://www.thehungerproject.org.uk/

Nine Steps To End Food Poverty In The UK: https://views-voices.oxfam.org.uk/2017/12/nine-steps-to-end-food-poverty-in-the-uk/

Greener and more sustainable food systems should be at the centre of climate action: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/opinion/food-climate-crisis-agriculture-hunger-b1955087.html

WMHPG news, information and resources 28 October 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

Covid19

FPH - Joint statement on rising COVID-19 rates: https://www.fph.org.uk/news-events/fph-news/joint-statement-on-rising-covid-19-rates/

Government indecision is still costing lives in the UK: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/10/25/government-indecision-is-still-costing-lives-in-the-uk/

Call for action on TB as deaths rise for first time in decade: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/28/call-for-action-on-tb-tuberculosis-as-deaths-rise-for-first-time-in-decade

Dragged down by debt: Millions of low-income households pulled under by arrears while living costs rise: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/dragged-down-debt-millions-low-income-households-pulled-under-arrears-while-living-costs-rise

Poverty limits options but we can invest in systems to keep people afloat: https://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/poverty-limits-options-we-can-invest-systems-keep-people-afloat

Healthy planning & environment

TCPA - The Climate Crisis – a guide for local authorities on planning for climate change: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/planning-for-climate-change

Environmental Action And Public Health Must Go Hand In Hand: https://meta.eeb.org/2021/10/14/environmental-action-and-public-health-must-go-hand-in-hand/

Cities and climate change: why low-rise buildings are the future – not skyscrapers: https://theconversation.com/cities-and-climate-change-why-low-rise-buildings-are-the-future-not-skyscrapers-170673

Environment Bill: UK government offers five principles for protecting nature – here’s why they won’t work: https://theconversation.com/environment-bill-uk-government-offers-five-principles-for-protecting-nature-heres-why-they-wont-work-166366

The insect apocalypse is more nuanced than it first appears: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/10/the-insect-apocalypse-is-more-nuanced-than-it-first-appears/

Ivory poaching has led to evolution of tuskless elephants, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/21/ivory-poaching-evolution-tuskless-elephants-study

Councils warn against 'unnecessary' free garden waste collections: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Councils-warn-against-unnecessary-free-garden-waste-collections/53155

Housing

Retrofitting risks ‘dangerous divide’: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Retrofitting-risks-dangerous-divide/53135

Heat and buildings strategy: the good, bad and ugly of the UK’s plan to replace gas boilers: https://theconversation.com/heat-and-buildings-strategy-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-the-uks-plan-to-replace-gas-boilers-170227

Climate change & sustainability

Lancet Countdown – 2021 Report: https://www.lancetcountdown.org/2021-report/

Lancet Countdown UK Policy Brief: RCOG, RCPCH & UKHACC Call For Environmental Action To Protect Maternal & Child Health: http://www.ukhealthalliance.org/lancet-countdown-21/

Autumn budget 2021: Key climate and energy announcements: https://www.carbonbrief.org/autumn-budget-2021-key-climate-and-energy-announcements

COP26

4 key issues to watch as world leaders prepare for the Glasgow climate summit: https://theconversation.com/4-key-issues-to-watch-as-world-leaders-prepare-for-the-glasgow-climate-summit-170536

What Will Success Look Like in Glasgow? https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/23/opinion/climate-glasgow-biden-xi.html

Earth will warm by 2.7°C under pledges made ahead of COP26: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2294725-earth-will-warm-by-2-7c-under-pledges-made-ahead-of-cop26/

Cop26: ‘World conflict and chaos’ could be the result of a summit failure: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/24/world-conflict-and-chaos-could-be-the-result-of-a-summit-failure

What the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow could achieve: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/what-the-cop26-climate-summit-in-glasgow-could-achieve-40979207.html

Good COP, Bad COP: China, India and the prospect of success at COP26: http://geographical.co.uk/geopolitics/hotspot/item/4179-good-cop-bad-cop-tim-marshall-takes-on-cop26-geopolitics

COP26: Greta Thunberg to join climate strike in Glasgow during conference: https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/cop26-greta-thunberg-to-join-climate-strike-in-glasgow-during-conference-3432405

Climate change report will show $100bn target both hit and missed ahead of COP26: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-10-24/climate-change-report-will-show-100bn-target-both-hit-and-missed

Climate vulnerable nations will go to COP 26 with a view to restructuring debt: Mohammed Nasheed: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/climate-vulnerable-nations-will-go-to-cop-26-with-a-view-to-restructuring-debt-mohammed-nasheed/article37152246.ece

THE SUN SAYS It would be a tragedy if the COP26 summit were to end in fudge or failure: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/16523439/boris-johnsons-cop26-environment-green/

Poorer countries spend five times more on debt than climate crisis – report: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/27/poorer-countries-spend-five-times-more-on-debt-than-climate-crisis-report

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland – Statement on the climate emergency: http://www.scottishacademy.org.uk/statement-climate-emergency

A quick guide to climate change jargon – what experts mean by mitigation, carbon neutral and 6 other key terms: https://theconversation.com/a-quick-guide-to-climate-change-jargon-what-experts-mean-by-mitigation-carbon-neutral-and-6-other-key-terms-167172

Two-thirds of UK voters support tax rises for action on climate change: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/budget-taxes-climate-change-cop26-b1943529.html

Analysis: Why climate-finance ‘flows’ are falling short of $100bn pledge: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-climate-finance-flows-are-falling-short-of-100bn-pledge

Australia - Nationals accept net zero target by 2050: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-accept-net-zero-target-by-2050-20211024-p592pa.html

Australia commits to 2050 net zero emissions plan but with no detail and no modelling: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/26/scott-morrison-says-australia-2050-net-zero-emissions-plan-based-on-choices-not-mandates

Saudi Arabia sets target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/23/saudi-arabia-sets-target-of-net-zero-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2060

Violence and mental health are likely to get worse in a warming world: https://theconversation.com/violence-and-mental-health-are-likely-to-get-worse-in-a-warming-world-169547

The supply chain crisis has a silver lining – container ships should be decarbonised faster: https://theconversation.com/the-supply-chain-crisis-has-a-silver-lining-container-ships-should-be-decarbonised-faster-170391

Active travel & transport

Making streets safer for women and girls: http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Making-streets-safer-for-women-and-girls/17431

Grantham Institute - Research pathways for net zero transport: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/briefing-papers/research-pathways-for-net-zero-transport.php

Mayor of London prioritises active travel and urban greening: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/mayor-of-london-prioritises-active-travel-and-urban-greening/

Air quality & pollution

Air and Noise Pollution Linked to Increased Heart Failure: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20211022/air-noise-pollution-increased-heart-failure

Air Pollution Killed a Million People in Africa in 2019: https://eos.org/articles/air-pollution-killed-a-million-people-in-africa-in-2019

MP’s vote to allow sewage in Britain’s rivers and seas: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/mps-vote-to-allow-sewage-in-britains-rivers-and-seas/

Recycling plastics does not work, says Boris Johnson: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59039155

‘It comes from bacteria, and goes back to bacteria’: the future of plastic alternatives: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/15/it-comes-from-bacteria-and-goes-back-to-bacteria-the-future-of-plastic-alternatives

In a first, study explores how airborne microplastics affect the climate: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/10/how-airborne-microplastics-affect-the-climate/

Food and food security

Rising to the Triple Challenge of Brexit, COVID-19 and Climate Change for health, well-being and equity in Wales: https://phw.nhs.wales/publications/publications1/rising-to-the-triple-challenge-of-brexit-covid-19-and-climate-change-for-health-well-being-and-equity-in-wales1/

And finally….

Cognitive Bias Codex – Every cognitive bias listed: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/all-188-cognitive-biases.html

WMHPG news, information and resources 10/09/2021

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

Covid-19 has been devastating for the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: https://ifamagazine.com/article/covid-19-has-been-devastating-for-the-uns-2030-sustainable-development-goals/

JRF - Keep the lifeline - open letter to the Prime Minister: https://www.jrf.org.uk/press/keep-the-lifeline-open-letter-to-the-prime-minister

Schools in poorest areas of England to be worst hit by pupil premium change: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/sep/05/schools-in-poorest-areas-of-england-to-be-worst-hit-by-pupil-premium-change

Healthy planning & environment

TCPA – Tomorrow 125: https://www.tomorrow125.org.uk/ “The TCPA has today launched ‘Tomorrow 125’ a project to explore how the Garden City idea can help us construct a pathway to a hopeful future based on a fairer society. At a time when the climate crisis is impossible to ignore, and we cautiously feel our way into the new post-pandemic ‘normal’, does the Garden City idea offer insights into a new way to live in the 21st Century?”

Report reveals ‘unprecedented’ water scarcity: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/report-reveals-unprecedented-water-scarcity/

H20: The molecule that made us (iPlayer): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000z2cw/h2o-the-molecule-that-made-us Interesting and informative documentary – especially episode 2 which looks at water scarcity and environmental impact across the world.

Amazon fires surge anew in Brazil as cleared forest burns: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/amazon-fires-surge-anew-brazil-cleared-forest-burns-2021-09-03/

Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment: https://www.who.int/tools/compendium-on-health-and-environment

Animals ‘shapeshifting’ in response to climate crisis, research finds: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/animals-shapeshifting-in-response-to-climate-crisis-research-finds

Housing

National Audit Office - Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme: https://www.nao.org.uk/report/green-homes-grant/

Rents outside London soaring at fastest rate on record, agencies say: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/08/rents-outside-london-soaring-at-fastest-rate-on-record-agencies-say

Climate change & sustainability

Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health: https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1734

Cumbria coal mine: Local Tory MP drops support for controversial project ahead of Cop26: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/cumbria-coal-mine-neil-hudson-b1915025.html

Guest post: Reviewing the summer of extreme weather in 2021: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-reviewing-the-summer-of-extreme-weather-in-2021

Study: Warmer Arctic led to killer cold in Texas, much of US: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/arctic-texas-study-science-michael-mann-b1913439.html

Climate change: ditch 90% of world’s coal and 60% of oil and gas to limit warming to 1.5°C – experts: https://theconversation.com/climate-change-ditch-90-of-worlds-coal-and-60-of-oil-and-gas-to-limit-warming-to-1-5-c-experts-167494

New guide will teach children about the climate crisis: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/new-guide-will-teach-children-about-the-climate-crisis/

How a hot blob off New Zealand is contributing to drought in South America: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/how-a-hot-blob-off-new-zealand-is-contributing-to-drought-in-south-america

Exclusive: Ministers bowed to pressure to drop key climate commitments for UK trade deal with Australia: https://news.sky.com/story/exclusive-ministers-bowed-to-pressure-to-drop-key-climate-commitments-for-uk-trade-deal-with-australia-12401988

Reclaiming Hydrogen for a Renewable Future: Distinguishing Fossil Fuel Industry Spin from Zero-Emission Solutions: https://earthjustice.org/features/green-hydrogen-renewable-zero-emission

Guest post: Energy needed to eradicate poverty ‘compatible with climate goals’: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-energy-needed-to-eradicate-poverty-compatible-with-climate-goals

20 meat and dairy firms emit more greenhouse gas than Germany, Britain or France: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/20-meat-and-dairy-firms-emit-more-greenhouse-gas-than-germany-britain-or-france

Jet Zero and the politics of the technofix: https://theecologist.org/2021/aug/27/jet-zero-and-politics-technofix

Climate impact of a transatlantic flight could cost global economy $3,000: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/climate-crisis-transatlantic-flight-global-economy-gdp

Dung beetle experiment suggests carbon dioxide is bad for insects too: https://theconversation.com/dung-beetle-experiment-suggests-carbon-dioxide-is-bad-for-insects-too-166836

Royal Pharmaceutical Society Declaration of Climate and Ecological Emergency: https://www.rpharms.com/about-us/sustainability/declaration

World's top three Christian leaders in climate appeal ahead of U.N. summit: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/worlds-top-three-christian-leaders-climate-appeal-ahead-un-summit-2021-09-07/

Climate change deniers are as slippery as those who justified the slave trade: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/04/climate-change-deniers-are-as-slippery-as-those-who-justified-the-slave-trade

India seeks to move coal to areas of shortage as power demand rises: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-seeks-move-coal-areas-shortage-power-demand-rises-2021-09-04/

UK rejects campaigners’ call to postpone Cop26 climate talks again: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/09/07/uk-rejects-campaigners-call-postpone-cop26-climate-talks/

No 10 wargaming to stop Nicola Sturgeon using Cop26 as ‘advert’ for Scottish independence: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cop26-scotland-independence-indyref2-b1902613.html

Active travel & transport

Transport noise linked to increased risk of dementia, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/09/transport-noise-linked-to-increased-risk-of-dementia-study-finds - primary paper here - https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1954

Walking is economic growth: https://medium.com/happy-cities/walking-economics-aaf64898f361

Park, Charge, and Ride: UK's first solar powered Park and Ride site opens in Leeds: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4036694/solar-powered-park-and-ride-opens-leeds

Majority of Academics Behind EV-Sceptic Paper Are Petrol or Diesel Specialists: https://www.desmog.com/2021/09/01/academics-electric-vehicles-petrol-diesel-cars/

Oxfordshire plans wave of 20mph zones: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Oxfordshire-plans-wave-of-20mph-zones/52871

Air quality & pollution

Linkages for Healthy Air and a Healthy Planet: Reducing Air Pollution, Protecting Health and Mitigating Climate Change: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2021/09/08/linkages-for-healthy-air-and-a-healthy-planet-reducing-air-pollution-protecting-health-and-mitigating-climate-change

THE STATE OF GLOBAL AIR QUALITY FUNDING 2021: https://www.cleanairfund.org/publication/global-funding-2021/ - more here - More global aid goes to fossil fuel projects than tackling dirty air – study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/more-global-aid-goes-to-fossil-fuel-projects-than-tackling-dirty-air-study-pollution

Reducing environmental pollution could save thousands of lives: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/09/06/reducing-environmental-pollution-could-cut-24-of-deaths/

Air pollution: science shows there’s no safe limit – here’s how laws must change: https://theconversation.com/air-pollution-science-shows-theres-no-safe-limit-heres-how-laws-must-change-167223

Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases: A Review by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies’ Environmental Committee, Part 2: Air Pollution and Organ Systems: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6904854/

Exposure to air pollution linked to greater risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation, report finds: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-air-pollution-link-risk-b1914580.html

Sewage discharge rules eased over fears of chemical shortage: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/07/government-ease-sewage-discharge-rules-amid-chemical-shortage

Food and food security

Food banks bracing for ‘busiest and most difficult winter on record’: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/food-banks-covid-universal-credit-b1910399.html

A fundamentally new way to freeze foods could cut carbon emissions equal to 1 million cars: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/09/new-freezing-strategy-could-cut-the-energy-use-of-food-industry/

Small strategic dietary changes yield surprisingly large health and environmental returns: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/09/a-series-of-small-dietary-changes-can-bring-surprisingly-large-health-and-environmental-gains

What would a national food database achieve across the environment, food security and health? https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/what-would-a-national-food-database-achieve-across-the-environment-food-security-and-health/659529.article

WMHPG news, information and resources 02 September 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.

Webinar - Public Health: Back to the Future: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public-health-back-to-the-future-tickets-166296498303 “Through an interview with David Kidney (Executive Chair of WM Health Technologies Cluster and former CEO of UK Public Health Register ) and open discussion, Zafar Iqbal will reflect on his 30 years experience in Public Health and share his views of the future of Public Health in this country.” Wed, 6 October 2021 12:30 – 13:30 BST

Sustainable development goals

Universal credit cut - impact by constituency: https://www.jrf.org.uk/universal-credit-cut-impact-constituency

Healthy planning & environment

NIHR call for applications for commissioned research - 21/525 Permitted Developments Rights: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/21525-permitted-developments-rights/28041

Researchers calculated how many lives energy-efficient buildings could save: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/08/researchers-calculated-how-many-lives-energy-efficient-buildings-could-save/

Continued inequalities in use of greenspace: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/news/2021/august/continued-inequalities-in-use-of-greenspace/

New report reveals one third of tree species threatened with extinction: https://globaltrees.org/news-blog/new-report-reveals-one-third-of-tree-species-threatened-with-extinction/

Fracking and poorer surface water quality link established – new research: https://theconversation.com/fracking-and-poorer-surface-water-quality-link-established-new-research-166692

We can’t build our way out of the environmental crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/01/build-environmental-crisis-infrastructure-pandemic-concrete

Housing

Cuts to housing benefits led to over 75,000 more overcrowded households during the pandemic: https://theconversation.com/cuts-to-housing-benefits-led-to-over-75-000-more-overcrowded-households-during-the-pandemic-165711

‘Draughty and inefficient’ homes are worse for climate than cars: https://www.bigissue.com/latest/homes-pollute-more-than-cars-and-must-be-priority-in-climate-change-fight/

Covid homeless scheme not leading to permanent accommodation, warns charity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58334379

Climate change & sustainability

Extreme sea levels at different global warming levels: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-021-01127-1

Toward an ice-free mountain range: demise of Pyrenean glaciers during 2011–2020: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021GL094339

Grantham Art Prize 2021 - We invite 12-25-year-olds to design a mural that sends a strong message about the habitats and living organisms under threat across the UK to let people know about the importance of biodiversity loss: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/events/grantham-art-prize-2021/?mc_cid=1e59eb6852&mc_eid=9a7f181f0f

Extreme weather & hurricane Ida

Weather-related disasters increase over past 50 years, causing more damage but fewer deaths: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/weather-related-disasters-increase-over-past-50-years-causing-more-damage-fewer

‘Another Year of Weather Extremes: Outliers … or Omens?’ https://yaleclimateconnections.org/webinar-another-year-of-weather-extremes-outliers-or-omens/

Hurricane Ida: 4 essential reads about New Orleans’ high hurricane risk and what climate change has to do with the storms: https://theconversation.com/hurricane-ida-4-essential-reads-about-new-orleans-high-hurricane-risk-and-what-climate-change-has-to-do-with-the-storms-166954

Severity Of Hurricane Ida Reflects Threat From Global Warming, Reports Find: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2021/08/29/severity-of-hurricane-ida-reflects-threat-from-global-warming-reports-find/

Insurers may take $18 bln hit from Hurricane Ida - industry experts: https://www.reuters.com/business/insurers-may-take-18-bln-hit-hurricane-ida-industry-experts-2021-09-01/

Biden declares emergency in California over Caldor fire: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-wildfires-biden/biden-declares-emergency-in-california-over-caldor-fire-idUSKBN2FY090

Southern Blob of unusual Pacific heat blamed for creating megadrought: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/southern-blob-of-unusual-pacific-heat-blamed-for-creating-megadrought-20210826-p58m7p.html

Running Dry: The impact of water scarcity on children in the Middle East and North Africa: https://www.unicef.org/mena/reports/running-dry-impact-water-scarcity-children

Control methane to slow global warming — fast: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02287-y

Controversy around climate change reports: a case study of Twitter responses to the 2019 IPCC report on land: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-021-03182-1

Public concern about climate change and pollution doubles to a near-record level: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/public-concern-about-climate-change-and-pollution-doubles-near-record-level

Frustration mounts as Cop26 delegates wait for the UK’s promised Covid vaccines: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/09/01/frustration-mounts-cop26-delegates-wait-uks-promised-covid-vaccines/

Atlas of the Invisible: using data to map the climate crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/01/atlas-of-the-invisible-using-data-reveal-climate-crisis

Who speaks for Afghans? – Climate Weekly: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/08/27/speaks-afghans-climate-weekly/

Over-50s want climate crisis addressed ‘even if it leads to high prices’: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/30/over-50s-want-climate-crisis-addressed-even-if-it-leads-to-high-prices

Extinction Rebellion protesters enter Science Museum demanding end to Shell sponsorship: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/extinction-rebellion-sr-science-museum-shell-b1910750.html

China Briefing, 26 August 2021: Closed coal mines reopened; Rapid warming for Tibet; ‘Record low’ carbon prices: https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-26-august-2021-closed-coal-mines-reopened-rapid-warming-for-tibet-record-low-carbon-prices

Acting on climate change, a $11 trillion opportunity for India: Report: https://www.thehindu.com/business/acting-on-climate-change-a-11-trillion-opportunity-for-india-report/article36161844.ece

Gas, like coal, has no future as the world wakes up to climate emergency: https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3146479/gas-coal-has-no-future-world-wakes-climate-emergency

Business rates system 'discourages shift to net zero': https://www.localgov.co.uk/Business-rates-system-discourages-shift-to-net-zero/2854

Active travel & transport

Decarbonising transport outside cities: it is possible, let’s get on with it: https://greenertransportsolutions.com/insight/decarbonising-transport-outside-cities-it-is-possible-lets-get-on-with-it/

The current car tax system punishes low mileage drivers, report says: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/08/25/the-current-car-tax-system-punishes-low-mileage-drivers-report-says/

New eco-petrol baffles a quarter of motorists: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58398606

Toyota restarts driverless shuttles after Paralympics accident forced athlete to withdraw from event: https://news.sky.com/story/toyota-restarts-driverless-shuttles-after-paralympics-accident-forced-athlete-to-withdraw-from-event-12395714

DHL Express orders 12 fully electric cargo planes: https://www.edie.net/amp-news/8/DHL-Express-orders-12-fully-electric-cargo-planes/

Air quality & pollution

Air Quality Life Index – how much longer would you live if you breathed clean air? https://aqli.epic.uchicago.edu/

Air pollution linked to more severe mental illness – study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/air-pollution-linked-to-more-severe-mental-illness-study

Common air pollutants linked with increased risk of cardiac arrest: https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Common-air-pollutants-linked-with-increased-risk-of-cardiac-arrest

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/aug/31/pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals-air-breathing - primary paper here: The Air That We Breathe: Neutral and Volatile PFAS in Indoor Air: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00481

Veolia survey: 83% of businesses unaware of impending plastic tax: https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/veolia-survey-83-of-businesses-unaware-of-impending-plastic-tax/

Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/single-use-plastic-plates-and-cutlery-to-be-banned-in-england

Highly polluting leaded petrol now eradicated from the world, says UN: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-58388810

Food and food security

Food systems: seven priorities to end hunger and protect the planet: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02331-x

‘Nothing to eat’: Somalia hit by triple threat of climate crisis, Covid and conflict: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/aug/23/nothing-to-eat-somalia-hit-by-triple-threat-of-climate-crisis-covid-and-conflict

Labour crisis revealed: Food shortages caused by 500,000 worker deficit: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/wholesalers/labour-crisis-revealed-food-shortages-caused-by-500000-worker-deficit/659312.article

We mapped the landscape for taxes on sugary drinks in seven African countries: https://theconversation.com/amp/we-mapped-the-landscape-for-taxes-on-sugary-drinks-in-seven-african-countries-158243

And finally….

Cartoonists’ ‘Code Red’ caricatures of new IPCC report: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/08/cartoonists-code-red-caricatures-of-new-ipcc-report/

WMHPG news, information and resources 26 August 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.

July-August 2021 ASPHER (The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region) Newsletter: https://www.aspher.org/download/805/aspher_newsletter_july-august_2021.pdf

Sustainable development goals

Global, regional, and national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health: all-cause and cause-specific mortality findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01207-1/fulltext

Camilla Kingdon: Cuts to Universal Credit will leave children hungry: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/08/17/camilla-kingdon-cuts-to-universal-credit-will-leave-children-hungry/

UK heading for the biggest overnight cut to the basic rate of social security since World War II: https://www.jrf.org.uk/press/uk-heading-biggest-overnight-cut-basic-rate-social-security-world-war-ii

Challenge Poverty Week 2021: https://www.challengepoverty.net/

A Fair Start: Equalising access to early education: http://files.localgov.co.uk/suttontrust.pdf

Understanding People, Understanding Places: A report on the levelling up agenda: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/2021-08/Levelling%20Up%20Report%20-%20Understanding%20People%20-%20Understanding%20Places.pdf

High Court grants permission for ‘Levelling Up Fund’ legal challenge: https://www.localgov.co.uk/High-Court-grants-permission-for-Levelling-Up-Fund-legal-challenge/52825

Healthy planning & environment

Scottish Land Commission - Towards a Public Interest Led Approach to Development: https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/611ba5365de67_Land%20for%20Housing%20Review%20FINAL.pdf

Fine Margins: Viability assessments in planning and plan-making: https://lichfields.uk/media/6509/fine-margins_viability-assessments-in-planning-and-plan-making.pdf

It’s not that easy being green: https://www.worldgbc.org/news-media/bosco-verticale-not-easy-being-green

Four takeaways on public space investment for placemakers: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2021/08/20/four-takeaways-on-public-space-investment-for-placemakers/

Gatwick Plans Second Runway: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/gatwick-airport-runway-second-flights-b1908436.html

LED streetlights decimating moth numbers in England: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/25/led-streetlights-moth-england-eco-friendly-sodium-insect-decline

Housing

A New Deal for the Private Rented Sector: https://www.nrla.org.uk/download?document=1333

The climate and health benefits from intensive building energy efficiency improvements: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/34/eabg0947

Climate change & sustainability

UNICEF - The Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index: https://www.unicef.org/reports/climate-crisis-child-rights-crisis

A billion children at ‘extreme risk’ from climate impacts – UNICEF: https://snip.ly/bzcyqs?s=09&utm_source=pocket_mylist#https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/20/a-billion-children-at-extreme-risk-from-climate-impacts-unicef

Cities on the Route to 2030: Building a zero emissions, resilient planet for all: https://6fefcbb86e61af1b2fc4-c70d8ead6ced550b4d987d7c03fcdd1d.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/cms/reports/documents/000/005/759/original/CDP_Cities_on_the_Route_to_2030.pdf

Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill – Declare your support for the CEE bill: https://www.ceebill.uk/

The Grantham Annual Lecture 2021 – Weathering the climate crisis and COVID-19: A perspective from the epicentre of the perfect storm: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/137998/the-grantham-annual-lecture-2021-weathering-the-climate-crisis-and-covid-19-a-perspective-from-the-epicentre-of-the-perfect-storm/

Extreme weather events:

Rain falls on peak of Greenland ice cap for first time on record: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/20/rain-falls-peak-greenland-ice-cap-first-time-on-record-climate-crisis

Siberia’s massive wildfires are unlocking extreme carbon pollution: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/siberias-massive-wildfires-are-unlocking-extreme-carbon-pollution

Climate change: Europe's 2020 heat reached 'troubling' level: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58333124

At least 22 dead after 17 inches of rain in Tennessee: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/22/tennessee-flood-killed-rain-506540

Caldor fire continues to rage after winds fan northern California blaze: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/22/caldor-fire-california-continues-to-rage

Drought scare looms large over a fifth of India: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/drought-scare-looms-large-over-a-fifth-of-india-78606

Drought and water scarcity

Ensuring Prosperity in a Water-stressed World: https://www.wri.org/water

Afghanistan at risk of hunger amid drought and Taliban takeover: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/08/24/afghanistan-risk-famine-amid-drought-taliban-takeover/

Madagascar on the brink of climate change-induced famine: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-58303792

Extinction Rebellion gears up for two weeks of climate protests across London: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/extinction-rebellion-gears-up-for-two-weeks-of-climate-protests-across-london-40777445.html

Extinction Rebellion to Target London’s Financial District Over Fossil Fuel Funding: https://www.desmog.com/2021/08/19/extinction-rebellion-to-target-londons-financial-district-over-fossil-fuel-funding/

Wrong to label Extinction Rebellion as extremists, says Home Office adviser: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/21/wrong-to-label-extinction-rebellion-as-extremists-says-home-office-adviser

Pest explosions could follow in the wake of climate change: http://geographical.co.uk/nature/climate/item/4114-pest-outbreaks-may-be-an-unforeseen-consequence-of-climate-change

Greta Thunberg accuses the UK of lying about its climate success ahead of COP26: https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/greta-thunberg-cop26-climate-change-emissions-carbon-footprint-1159154

PM and Government must put all their focus on crucial climate summit – Miliband: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/pm-and-government-must-put-all-their-focus-on-crucial-climate-summit-miliband-40775846.html

As silly season ends, so too should August's confected row over Net Zero: https://jossgarman.substack.com/p/as-silly-season-ends-so-too-should

UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years faces losing financial backing after climate controversy: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/uk-coal-mine-cumbria-climate-b1900862.html

Amazon: regrowing forests have offset less than 10% of carbon emissions from deforestation: https://theconversation.com/amazon-regrowing-forests-have-offset-less-than-10-of-carbon-emissions-from-deforestation-165419

China to step up tree planting campaign to help reach net zero: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-step-up-tree-planting-campaign-help-reach-net-zero-2021-08-20/

China's provinces still planning over 100 GW of new coal projects – Greenpeace: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinas-provinces-still-planning-over-100-gw-new-coal-projects-greenpeace-2021-08-25/

Scientifically accurate coverage of climate change is steadily improving: But, there’s one place it still continues to fail: conservative media: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/08/newspaper-coverage-of-climate-change-is-increasingly-accurate/

Postcard From Thermal: Surviving the Climate Gap in Eastern Coachella Valley: https://www.propublica.org/article/postcard-from-thermal-surviving-the-climate-gap-in-eastern-coachella-valley

Daily Mail and Telegraph ‘Well Behind the Curve’ on Reporting Climate Change Accurately: https://www.desmog.com/2021/08/17/daily-mail-and-telegraph-well-behind-the-curve-on-reporting-climate-change-accurately

Active travel & transport

How Politicians and Lobby Groups Tried — And Failed — To Co-opt Legitimate Concerns Over Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: https://www.desmog.com/2021/08/18/low-traffic-neighbourhoods-politicians-lobby-groups/

Climate effects on US infrastructure: the economics of adaptation for rail, roads, and coastal development: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-021-03179-w

Transport decarbonisation and the role of land-use planning: https://greenertransportsolutions.com/insight/transport-decarbonisation-and-the-role-of-land-use-planning/

Air quality & pollution

Interview: Chris Hook, head of clean air at Uber UK: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/08/18/interview-chris-hook-head-of-clean-air-at-uber-uk/

Breathing wildfire smoke during pregnancy raises risk of premature birth, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/24/california-wildfire-smoke-pregnancy-premature-birth

TV show highlights impact of air pollution on children: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/08/17/tv-show-highlights-impact-of-air-pollution-on-children/

Bottled water numbers don’t add up—their environmental impact is 3500 times that of tap water: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/08/bottled-water-numbers-dont-add-up-their-environmental-impact-is-3500-times-that-of-tap-water/

Food and food security

Webinar – Open Cambridge - What does the UK eat? The national diet down through the decades: https://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/event/open-cambridge-what-does-uk-eat/

Why the planning system and planners are critical to stop an increasingly obese nation during post-Covid-19 recovery: https://www.theplanner.co.uk/opinion/why-the-planning-system-and-planners-are-critical-to-stop-an-increasingly-obese-nation

And finally….

Earth Photo 2021: Stunning winning images explore the themes shaping our world: http://geographical.co.uk/rgs/item/4115-earth-photo-2021-stunning-winning-images-explore-the-themes-shaping-our-world

WMHPG news, information and resources 19 August 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.

Job opportunity - Healthy Places Specialist - Public Health and Planning East Sussex County Council Lewes, England: https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/jobsold/job/15999/orbis/TP/109884/15998/healthy-places-specialist-public-health-and-planning/adult-social-care-and-health/lewes

Sustainable development goals

Cutting universal credit uplift is emblematic of a failure to take child poverty seriously: https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/cutting-universal-credit-uplift-is-emblematic-of-a-failure-to-take-child-poverty-seriously

Institute for Fiscal Studies - The health impacts of Sure Start: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/15573

Healthy planning & environment

Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health – Edition 7: https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/edition-7.html

Stakeholder experiences of using online spatial data visualisation tools for local public health decision support: A qualitative study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829221001441

Major UN biodiversity summit delayed for third time due to pandemic: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/18/cop15-un-biodiversity-summit-hit-by-third-delay-due-to-pandemic-aoe

Planning for climate change: Is London STILL leading the way? https://lichfields.uk/blog/2021/august/17/planning-for-climate-change-is-london-still-leading-the-way/

The Guardian view on buildings: out with the new! For the planet’s sake: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/18/the-guardian-view-on-buildings-out-with-the-new-for-the-planets-sake

Planning for the future: the white paper one year on: https://www.cpre.org.uk/opinions/planning-for-the-future-the-white-paper-one-year-on/

London’s Marble Arch Mound was a fiasco in a city losing so many green spaces – but pop-up parks can work: https://theconversation.com/londons-marble-arch-mound-was-a-fiasco-in-a-city-losing-so-many-green-spaces-but-pop-up-parks-can-work-166284

Humans will always have oxygen to breathe, but we can’t say the same for ocean life: https://theconversation.com/humans-will-always-have-oxygen-to-breathe-but-we-cant-say-the-same-for-ocean-life-165148

A decolonial, feminist Global Green New Deal: https://theecologist.org/2021/aug/16/decolonial-feminist-global-green-new-deal

Housing

Coalition warns UK Government of impending rent crisis: https://scottishhousingnews.com/article/coalition-warns-uk-government-of-impending-rent-crisis

Welsh Government sets out standards for new social homes: https://hqnetwork.co.uk/news/welsh-government-sets-out-standards-for-new-social-homes-5548

Supported housing system 'a living nightmare': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-58061158

Women, homelessness and violence: what works? https://assets-global.website-files.com/59f07e67422cdf0001904c14/61017dbd205aeb5f3bdd366b_CFHI_WOMEN_REPORT_V03.pdf

Mayor of London pledges to resist rough sleeping Immigration Rules: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Mayor-of-London-pledges-to-resist-rough-sleeping-Immigration-Rules--/52748

Almost 800,000 fewer homes zero-carbon due to Tory planning deregulation: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/zero-carbon-homes-planning-deregulation-b1902472.html

Climate change & sustainability

The climate crisis is not slow and gradual but unpredictable and catastrophic: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/08/10/the-climate-crisis-is-not-slow-and-gradual-but-unpredictable-and-catastrophic/

UK climate change policies make up just 0.01% of GDP: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/uk-climate-change-policies-make-up-just-0-01-of-gdp/

Reports and comment on extreme weather events;

The age of the megafire: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/environment/2021/08/age-megafire

Algeria observes day of mourning after dozens killed in wildfires: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/12/algeria-observes-day-of-mourning-as-wildfires-keep-raging

California city threatened by approaching wildfire: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/568293-california-city-threatened-by-approaching-wildfire

U.S. declares first Western reservoir water shortage, triggering cuts: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-declares-first-ever-shortage-western-reservoir-triggering-water-cuts-2021-08-16/

Greek firefighters battle growing forest blaze near Athens: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-wildfires-greece/greek-firefighters-battle-growing-forest-blaze-near-athens-idUSKBN2FJ1N7

Two people found dead in French wildfire near Saint-Tropez: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/18/french-wildfire-saint-tropez-found-dead

Forest fire forces Russia to evacuate 830 from summer camp: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/moscow-russia-siberia-b1902929.html

Mega-blazes put spotlight on Europe's firefighting tactics: https://news.trust.org/item/20210813164011-gznem/

Japan rain: Nearly two million residents told to seek shelter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58212803

Turkey combats Black Sea floods, death toll rises to 31: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/death-toll-northern-turkey-floods-rises-27-2021-08-13/

Economic impacts of tipping points in the climate system: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/34/e2103081118.short

It’s official: July was Earth’s hottest month on record: https://www.noaa.gov/

Key takeaways from the new IPCC report: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/08/key-takeaways-from-the-new-ipcc-report/

IPCC: How the AR6 WG1 summary for policymakers compares to its predecessor: https://www.carbonbrief.org/ipcc-how-the-ar6-wg1-summary-for-policymakers-compares-to-its-predecessor

Greenhouse gas emissions must peak within 4 years, says leaked UN report: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/12/greenhouse-gas-emissions-must-peak-within-4-years-says-leaked-un-report

Hydrogen, and it’s role in reducing carbon emissions;

In-depth Q&A: How will the UK’s hydrogen strategy help achieve net-zero? https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-how-will-the-uks-hydrogen-strategy-help-achieve-net-zero

Blue hydrogen – what is it, and should it replace natural gas? https://theconversation.com/blue-hydrogen-what-is-it-and-should-it-replace-natural-gas-166053

‘Blue’ hydrogen emits 20% more CO2 than coal, say researchers: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/blue-hydrogen-emits-20-more-co2-than-coal-say-researchers/

EU solar power generation hits record high: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eu-solar-power-generation-hits-record-high-2021-08-17/

The carbon price conundrum: https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/the-carbon-price-conundrum/

In-depth Q&A: How will the UK’s hydrogen strategy help achieve net-zero? https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-how-will-the-uks-hydrogen-strategy-help-achieve-net-zero

Council policies 'inconsistent' with climate goals: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58102578

UK net zero delay has left room for sceptics’ attacks, says government climate adviser: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/16/uk-net-zero-delay-has-left-room-for-climate-sceptics-attacks-says-tory-peer

Treasury blocking green policies key to UK net zero target: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/13/treasury-blocking-green-policies-key-to-uk-net-zero-target

CO2 Storage Plans Risk Leaving Future Generations with ‘Carbon Bombs’, Energy Expert Warns: https://www.desmog.com/2021/08/12/co2-storage-plans-risk-future-generations-carbon-climate-expert/

A new study provides a nuanced—and ultimately hopeful—view of the climate generation gap: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/08/the-young-are-more-worried-about-climate-change-but-everyone-is-more-worried-than-they-used-to-be/

US lab stands on threshold of key nuclear fusion goal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58252784

Billionaires and the climate storm: https://theecologist.org/2021/aug/13/billionaires-and-climate-storm

Active travel & transport

Glasgow receives funding for active travel network: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/08/10/glasgow-receives-funding-for-active-travel-network/

Air quality & pollution

Nearly every London school in high air pollution area, report says: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58230278

Welcome to the ‘plastisphere’: the synthetic ecosystem evolving at sea: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/11/welcome-to-the-plastisphere-the-synthetic-ecosystem-evolving-at-sea

Food and food security

Should we genetically edit the food we eat? We asked two experts: https://theconversation.com/should-we-genetically-edit-the-food-we-eat-we-asked-two-experts-162959

Small targeted dietary changes can yield substantial gains for human and environmental health: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00343-4

Beyond ‘food deserts’: America needs a new approach to mapping food insecurity: https://www.brookings.edu/research/beyond-food-deserts-america-needs-a-new-approach-to-mapping-food-insecurity/

WMHPG news, information and resources 05 August 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

Shipshape or sinking ship? Problem debt's impact on financial and mental wellbeing: https://capuk.org/connect/policy-and-government/shipshape

How will universal credit cut hit struggling families? The DWP doesn’t know: https://www.bigissue.com/latest/how-will-universal-credit-cut-hit-struggling-families-the-dwp-doesnt-know/

Calls for social tariff on UK energy bills as rises push extra half million homes into fuel poverty: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/31/calls-for-social-tariff-on-uk-energy-bills-as-rises-push-extra-half-million-homes-into-fuel-poverty

Healthy planning & environment

Calculating a national Anomie Density Ratio: Measuring the patterns of loneliness and social isolation across the UK’s residential density gradient using results from the UK Biobank study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204621001572

Rethinking Urban Health: https://www.project-syndicate.org/onpoint/urbanization-new-health-crises-by-tolullah-oni-2021-07

Beyond traditional measures: Examining the holistic impacts of public space investments in three cities: https://www.brookings.edu/essay/beyond-traditional-measures-examining-the-holistic-impacts-of-public-space-investments-in-three-cities/

70% of people have no access to quality green space: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/70-of-people-have-no-access-to-quality-green-space/

Monks Wood Wilderness: 60 years ago, scientists let a farm field rewild – here’s what happened: https://theconversation.com/monks-wood-wilderness-60-years-ago-scientists-let-a-farm-field-rewild-heres-what-happened-163406

European Green Deal Disadvantages Women And Weakens Environmental Protection, New Report Reveals: https://meta.eeb.org/2021/07/19/european-green-deal-disadvantages-women-and-weakens-environmental-protection-new-report-reveals/

Amsterdam City Doughnut: https://doughnuteconomics.org/stories/

17 environmental podcasts you need to hear: https://www.greenhousepr.co.uk/17-environmental-podcasts-you-need-to-hear/

Four clothing businesses that could lead us away from the horrors of fast fashion: https://theconversation.com/four-clothing-businesses-that-could-lead-us-away-from-the-horrors-of-fast-fashion-165578

Housing

Thousands of children stuck in temporary accommodation this summer, councils warn: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Thousands-of-children-stuck-in-temporary-accommodation-this-summer-councils-warn/52712

Heatwave risk from plans to convert shops to homes: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58029653.amp

Heat waves pose extra dangers to people experiencing homelessness: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/07/heat-waves-pose-extra-dangers-to-people-experiencing-homelessness/

Women, homelessness and violence: what works? https://assets-global.website-files.com/59f07e67422cdf0001904c14/61017dbd205aeb5f3bdd366b_CFHI_WOMEN_REPORT_V03.pdf

Climate change & sustainability

World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency 2021: https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biab079/6325731

Methane release from carbonate rock formations in the Siberian permafrost area during and after the 2020 heat wave: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/32/e2107632118

Record winter winds in 2020/21 drove exceptional Arctic sea ice transport: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-021-00221-8

The Social Cost Of Carbon: https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-social-cost-carbon

Extreme weather news

• Smoke suffocates Athens as EU scientists label Mediterranean a ‘wildfire hotspot’: https://www.politico.eu/article/smoke-suffocates-athens-as-eu-scientists-label-mediterranean-a-wildfire-hotspot/
• Forest fire closes in on Turkish power station: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/spanish-croatian-planes-join-battle-against-turkish-wildfires-2021-08-03/
• After a scorching, parched summer across much of the U.S., what will August bring? https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/us/august-forecast.html
• Climate crisis: 50 photos of extreme weather around the world – in pictures: https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2021/jul/19/climate-crisis-weather-around-world-in-pictures-wildfires-floods-winds
• Greenland: enough ice melted on single day to cover Florida in two inches of water: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/30/greenland-ice-sheet-florida-water-climate-crisis
• China evacuates tens of thousands as storms spread north: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-orders-immediate-review-subway-flood-controls-rains-continue-2021-07-22/

Comment and analysis

• Satellite imaging reveals increased proportion of population exposed to floods: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03695-w
• How summer 2021 has changed our understanding of extreme weather: https://theconversation.com/how-summer-2021-has-changed-our-understanding-of-extreme-weather-165268
• Top US scientist on melting glaciers: ‘I’ve gone from being an ecologist to a coroner’: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/21/climate-crisis-glacier-diana-six-ecologist
• Heatwaves, fires and floods: Extreme weather events offer a grim look at a future with climate change: https://inews.co.uk/news/world/extreme-weather-events-last-30-days-climate-change-impact-fears-1113990
• Catastrophic floods could hit Europe far more often, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/21/catastrophic-floods-could-hit-europe-far-more-often-study-finds

Study: Cost of carbon emissions measured in lives lost is high: https://www.axios.com/high-cost-of-carbon-emissions-measured-in-mortality-c65ba576-e301-40ae-b708-cf3a37e5eed5.html

A 3°C world has no safe place: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/07/24/a-3degc-world-has-no-safe-place

IPPR - Fairness and Opportunity: A people-powered plan for the green transition: https://www.ippr.org/fairness-and-opportunity/

‘Net zero’ carbon targets are dangerous distractions from the priority of cutting emissions says new Oxfam report: https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/net-zero-carbon-targets-are-dangerous-distractions-priority-cutting-emissions-says

Offshore wind turbines could number 30,000 by 2030 – new ideas in ocean engineering are needed to install them: https://theconversation.com/offshore-wind-turbines-could-number-30-000-by-2030-new-ideas-in-ocean-engineering-are-needed-to-install-them-162618

Think reusable straws, wraps, and cups are always better for the environment? Think again: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/07/think-that-reusable-straw-or-sandwich-wrap-is-better-for-the-environment-think-again/

UK hosts 51 countries for climate talks ahead of COP26: https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/uk-hosts-51-countries-for-climate-talks-ahead-of-cop26/

Cop26 100-day countdown: UK must lead if world is to avert ‘climate catastrophe’, says Sadiq Khan: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/cop26-100-days-sadiq-khan-b1888155.html

COP26 'should be hybrid event' says former climate chief Figueres: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58055854

Anger as Johnson’s Cop26 spokeswoman Allegra Stratton suggests ‘not rinsing dishes’ to tackle climate crisis: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/allegra-stratton-cop26-micro-steps-b1891552.html

Allegra Stratton, once merely the liability’s spokesperson, is becoming a liability all of her own: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/allegra-stratton-electric-car-dishes-cop26-b1896026.html

‘Lightbulb moment’: the battery technology invented in a Brisbane garage that is going global: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/18/lightbulb-moment-the-battery-technology-invented-in-a-brisbane-garage-that-is-going-global

Greening the (bit)coin: https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/greening-the-coin/

Active travel & transport

Lancet collection - Physical Activity 2021: https://www.thelancet.com/series/physical-activity-2021

Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140521001717

Multi-million pound boost to cycling and walking budget: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Multi-million-pound-boost-to-cycling-and-walking-budget/52708

Pedestrians get priority as UK unveils changes to Highway Code: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/pedestrians-get-priority-as-uk-unveils-changes-to-highway-code

Cargo bikes deliver faster and cleaner than vans, study finds: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/05/cargo-bikes-deliver-faster-and-cleaner-than-vans-study-finds

Leading the charge! Can I make it from Land’s End to John o’Groats in an electric car? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/28/leading-the-charge-can-i-make-it-from-lands-end-to-john-ogroats-in-an-electric-car

Air quality & pollution

Exploring how air pollution in indoor spaces affects human health: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2021/07/exploring-how-air-pollution-in-indoor-spaces-affects-human-health.aspx

Air pollution exposure is shifting from outdoor to indoor – here’s why: https://theconversation.com/air-pollution-exposure-is-shifting-from-outdoor-to-indoor-heres-why-163410

Green infrastructure can limit but not solve air pollution injustice: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24892-1

‘Great concern’ as study finds microplastics in human placentas: https://news.mongabay.com/2021/01/great-concern-as-study-finds-microplastics-in-human-placentas/amp/

Post-Brexit Britain Fumbles Exports of Plastic Waste: https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/post-brexit-britain-fumbles-exports-of-plastic-waste/

Food and food security

Tightening the Net: Net zero climate targets – implications for land and food equity: https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/tightening-the-net-net-zero-climate-targets-implications-for-land-and-food-equ-621205/

How food prices are affected by oil, trade agreements and climate change: https://theconversation.com/how-food-prices-are-affected-by-oil-trade-agreements-and-climate-change-164652

WBA Assesses World’s 350 Most Influential Food/Agriculture Companies On Sustainability Commitments: https://www.environmentalleader.com/2021/07/wba-assesses-worlds-350-most-influential-food-agriculture-companies-on-sustainability-commitments/

Lockdown weight gain: telling people to eat less has never been the answer: https://theconversation.com/lockdown-weight-gain-telling-people-to-eat-less-has-never-been-the-answer-165137

WMHPG news, information and resources 29 July 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

Ethnic differences in life expectancy and mortality from selected causes in England and Wales: 2011 to 2014: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/articles/ethnicdifferencesinlifeexpectancyandmortalityfromselectedcausesinenglandandwales/2011to2014

A caring tax rise? The impacts of a potential increase in National Insurance: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/a-caring-tax-rise/

Universal Credit: What Needs To Change To Make It Fit For Children And Families? https://cpag.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/briefing/universal-credit-what-needs-change-make-it-fit-children-and-families

Seaside towns: why living on the coast is linked to poor health - by a professor who grew up there: https://theconversation.com/seaside-towns-why-living-on-the-coast-is-linked-to-poor-health-by-a-professor-who-grew-up-there-165113

People in low-paid, insecure work faced a rising tide of employment uncertainty in 2020: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/people-low-paid-insecure-work-faced-rising-tide-employment-uncertainty-2020

Healthy planning & environment

Comment on the new NPPF

Blog: English planning’s darkest hour? - Hugh Ellis: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/Blog/blog-english-plannings-darkest-hour-hugh-ellis

Press Release: TCPA responds to Minister's 'Building Beautiful Places' plan: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/news/press-release-tcpa-responds-to-ministers-building-beautiful-places-plan

Excellent new resource - Public Health Wales e-briefing – Green Opportunities Summer 2021: https://phwwhocc.co.uk/resources/green-opportunities-summer-2021/ “Green Opportunities is a new e-briefing from the Health and Sustainability Hub. The quarterly updates capture learning to aid Wales’ green recovery from COVID-19, identifying sustainable opportunities to support population health.”

Summer appetiser: Revised NPPF published with a few changes from those consulted on: https://lichfields.uk/blog/2021/july/22/summer-appetiser-revised-nppf-published-with-a-few-changes-from-those-consulted-on/

World Heritage Committee agrees not to place Great Barrier Reef on ‘in danger’ list: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/23/world-heritage-committee-agrees-not-to-place-great-barrier-reef-on-in-danger-list

UN biodiversity summit to be delayed for third time – sources: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-environment-biodiversity-cop15/un-biodiversity-summit-to-be-delayed-for-third-time-sources-idUSKBN2EY2J0

Spending time in nature improves mental health: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/spending-time-in-nature-improves-mental-health/

Housing

House prices: should we welcome a crash? http://www.dannydorling.org/?p=8393&s

Keep up COVID funding to end homelessness, says Kerslake: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Keep-up-COVID-funding-to-end-homelessness-says-Kerslake/52686

Climate change & sustainability

Met Office - State of the UK Climate: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/about/state-of-climate

• State of the climate: 2021 sees widespread climate extremes despite a cool start: https://www.carbonbrief.org/state-of-the-climate-2021-sees-widespread-climate-extremes-despite-a-cool-start
• UK already undergoing disruptive climate change: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57988023
• Extreme weather will be the norm and UK is not prepared, scientists warn: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/extreme-weather-will-be-the-norm-and-uk-is-not-prepared-report-warns

Extreme weather events across the world.

• Homes evacuated in Turkey as forest fire rages near southern coast: https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/28/homes-evacuated-in-turkey-as-forest-fire-rages-near-southern-coast
• 'Out of control': Greek wildfire rages through forest near Athens: https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/27/out-of-control-greek-wildfire-rages-through-forest-near-athen
• Severe floods hammer Costa Rica, two dead: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/severe-floods-hammer-costa-rica-two-dead-2021-07-26/
• Forest fires in the Amazon released more CO2 than the whole of the UK: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/forest-fires-in-the-amazon-released-more-co2-than-the-whole-of-the-uk/
• Wildfires in U.S., Siberia are unusually intense, setting emissions records: https://www.axios.com/us-canada-siberia-wildfires-unusually-intense-fdaf35a1-59fc-47d6-84e2-3b1b0867cac0.html
• From coal to cars, Chinese floods tangle supply chains: https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/coal-cars-chinese-floods-tangle-supply-chains-2021-07-22/

Analysis and wider comment on extreme weather.

• Extreme weather renews focus on climate change as scientists update forecasts: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/extreme-weather-renews-focus-climate-change-scientists-update-forecasts-2021-07-26/
• Summer of floods: The climate connection behind deadly downpours around the world: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2021/world-floods-climate/
• As climate impacts surge, UN science report to examine 'black swan' events: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-science-impacts-trfn/as-climate-impacts-surge-un-science-report-to-examine-black-swan-events-idUSKBN2EQ20R
• Extreme weather: What causes flash flooding? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57969877
• As scientists have long predicted, warming is making heatwaves more deadly: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/07/as-scientists-have-long-predicted-warming-is-making-heatwaves-more-deadly/
• Central Europe staggers toward recovery from catastrophic flooding: more than 200 killed: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/07/central-europe-staggers-toward-recovery-from-catastrophic-flooding-more-than-200-killed/
• Video shows salmon injured by unlivable water temperatures after heatwave: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/27/salmon-boiled-alive-pacific-north-west-heatwave-video

Increasing probability of record-shattering climate extremes: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-021-01092-9

World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency 2021: https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biab079/6325731

Scientists who declared climate emergency two years ago say Earth’s vital signs have worsened: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/climate-emergency-earth-vital-signs-b1891724.html

G20 coal impasse previews fraught UN climate summit: https://www.axios.com/g20-coal-use-un-climate-summit-4434de64-1fa5-49b2-ae87-44e11adf0f9f.html

The Guardian view on the climate summit: 100 days to save the world: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/23/the-guardian-view-on-the-climate-summit-100-days-to-save-the-world

Climate change: Researchers begin discussions on vital report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57944015

The Direct-Air Capture Debate: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/03/the-direct-air-capture-debate/

How to game the system: When it comes to climate, stories are just as important as science: https://theecologist.org/2021/jul/22/how-game-system

Queen secretly lobbied Scottish ministers for climate law exemption: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/28/queen-secretly-lobbied-scottish-ministers-climate-law-exemption

Join the Green Party to save planet, says Boris Johnson’s climate spokesperson: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/boris-johnson-stratton-green-party-b1892060.html

Active travel & transport

Have A Good Trip! Expanding Our Concepts Of The Quality Of Everyday Travelling With Flow Theory: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23800127.2021.1912947

Pedestrian deaths and large vehicles: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212012221000241

The Transport Decarbonisation Plan: The work starts here: https://greenertransportsolutions.com/insight/the-work-starts-here/

CMA warns about postcode lottery in electric vehicle charging: https://www.localgov.co.uk/CMA-warns-about-postcode-lottery-in-electric-vehicle-charging/52674

Electric car charging prices 'must be fair' say MPs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57963912

Government to rethink £27bn road building strategy because of ‘changes to travel’ after Covid: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/uk-road-building-covid-travel-b1888836.html

Motor City Of Birmingham To Throttle Short Car Journeys: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2021/07/27/motor-city-of-birmingham-to-throttle-short-car-journeys/

Air quality & pollution

Air pollution linked to increased risk of death from Alzheimer’s: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/07/23/air-pollution-linked-to-increased-risk-of-death-from-alzheimers/

Shipping industry to pay for pollution under new EU proposals: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/shipping-industry-to-pay-for-pollution-under-new-eu-proposals/

Why chemical pollution is turning into a third great planetary crisis: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25133440-700-why-chemical-pollution-is-turning-into-a-third-great-planetary-crisis/

Microbes in cow stomachs can decompose plastic: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/07/microbes-in-cow-stomachs-can-decompose-plastic/

Food and food security

National food strategy: what’s in it for population health? https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1865.full

New map reveals rates of hunger at local authority level: https://www.localgov.co.uk/New-map-reveals-rates-of-hunger-at-local-authority-level/52670 - Interactive map here - https://shefuni.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/interactivelegend/index.html?appid=8be0cd9e18904c258afd3c959d6fc4d7

Madagascar famine becomes first in history to be caused solely by climate crisis: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/madagascar-famine-climate-crisis-b1888058.html

Climate change may lead to global malnutrition: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/climate-change-may-lead-to-global-malnutrition/

Investigation: How the Meat Industry is Climate-Washing its Polluting Business Model: https://www.desmog.com/2021/07/18/investigation-meat-industry-greenwash-climatewash/

The Tricky Business of Tipping Cows: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/05/the-tricky-business-of-tipping-cows/

And finally….

WMHPG news, information and resources 16 July 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 Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/sustainable-development-goals-report-2021

ONS - Good data from any source can help us report on the global goals to the UN: https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2021/07/13/good-data-from-any-source-can-help-us-report-on-the-global-goals-to-the-un/

Local government funding and life expectancy in England: a longitudinal ecological study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468266721001109 “Our findings indicate that cuts in funding for local government might in part explain adverse trends in life expectancy. Given that more deprived areas showed greater reductions in funding, our analysis suggests that inequalities have widened.”

JRF – Annual Minimum Income Standard for the UK in 2021: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/minimum-income-standard-uk-2021

Boris Johnson’s £11.6bn climate fund to be swiped from aid budget: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/climate-fund-boris-johnson-aid-cop26-b1877116.html

Global Britain should restore its foreign aid spending pledge: https://www.ft.com/content/57d478f0-f291-4007-8345-df6ee8385a3c

The Guardian view on slashing foreign aid: Britain is abandoning the desperate: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/13/the-guardian-view-on-slashing-foreign-aid-britain-is-abandoning-the-desperate

Living standards, poverty and inequality in the UK: 2021: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/15512

More than 1m children from key worker families living in poverty, says TUC: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2021/jul/14/more-than-1m-children-from-key-worker-families-living-in-poverty-says-tuc

Healthy planning & environment

Heart health: design cities differently and it can help us live longer: https://theconversation.com/heart-health-design-cities-differently-and-it-can-help-us-live-longer-162038

The six tests: the system that campaigners are using to assess the new planning bill: https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/six-tests-that-campaigners-are-using-to-assess-new-planning-bill/

Housing

The Rebuilding Britain Index – Levelling up our local communities: https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/media/18576/rebuilding-britain-index-wave-2-060721.pdf

Affordable housing is UK's 'poorest performing measure' finds research: https://www.localgov.co.uk/Affordable-housing-is-UKs-poorest-performing-measure-finds-research/52614

Climate change & sustainability

Wide coverage of extreme weather events. Much of the focus has been on heatwaves in North America, but these events are worldwide.

• 5 million deaths a year are caused by abnormal temperatures: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/5-million-deaths-a-year-are-caused-by-abnormal-temperatures/
• ‘Heat dome’ probably killed 1bn marine animals on Canada coast, experts say: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/08/heat-dome-canada-pacific-northwest-animal-deaths
• Nordic countries endure heatwave as Lapland records hottest day since 1914: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/06/heatwave-hits-nordic-countries-lapland-temperature-
• Flooding rains keep hitting New York City. Another round is expected Monday night: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/07/12/flooding-rain-new-york-city/
• Planes dump water on Siberian wildfires as residents plead for help: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/planes-dump-water-siberian-wildfires-residents-plead-help-2021-07-13/
• Urban heat island effect exacerbating summer heatwaves, study shows: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/urban-heat-island-effect-heatwave
• US heatwave: Could US and Canada see the worst wildfires yet? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/57770728
• World ‘must step up preparations for extreme heat’: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/07/world-must-step-up-preparations-for-extreme-heat

EU “Fit for 55” - European Green Deal: Commission proposes transformation of EU economy and society to meet climate ambitions: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_3541

• EU unveils sweeping climate change plan: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57833807

• ‘Fit-for-55’ package: Squaring the circle: https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/fit-for-55-package-squaring-the-circle/
• EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ is unfit and unfair: https://eeb.org/eus-fit-for-55-is-unfit-and-unfair-ngos-say/
• ‘Horny for 40.’ Fit for 55. EU’s climate plan branding raises eyebrows.: https://www.politico.eu/article/horny-for-40-fit-for-55-eus-climate-plan-branding-raises-eyebrows/

IPPR – Fairness and opportunity: A people-powered plan for the green transition: https://www.ippr.org/environment-and-justice

Climate change: Amazon regions emit more carbon than they absorb: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57839364 - original paper here - Amazonia as a carbon source linked to deforestation and climate change: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03629-6

Mosquito-borne diseases will affect billions of people as the planet warms: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-predicted-to-affect-billions-as-planet-warms/

Climate change: Ministers abandon plans to set out low-carbon heating strategy before summer break following disagreements inside government: https://news.sky.com/story/climate-change-ministers-abandon-plans-to-set-out-low-carbon-heating-strategy-before-summer-break-following-disagreements-inside-government-12355890

Revealed: Fossil fuel companies lobby UK government for gas ‘compromise’ ahead of COP26: https://www.channel4.com/news/revealed-fossil-fuel-companies-lobby-uk-government-for-gas-compromise-ahead-of-cop26

Climate change: 'No more excuses' at COP26 climate summit - poor nations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57839368

Delivering an inclusive Cop26 in the age of Covid-19 requires more than vaccines: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/07/05/delivering-inclusive-cop26-age-covid-19-requires-vaccines/

Feature: Why LGBTQI communities will be disproportionately affected by the climate crisis: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/feature-why-lgbtq-communities-will-be-disproportionately-affected-by-the-climate-crisis/

The climate crisis is driving global conflict – Cop26 is a chance for leaders to rethink security threats: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/opinion/climate-crisis-conflict-security-cop26-b1879530.html

The climate crisis will create two classes: those who can flee, and those who cannot: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/07/global-heating-climate-crisis-heat-two-classes

Active travel & transport

The Government has published plans for decarbonising transport in the UK - Decarbonising Transport: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CDP-2021-0088/CDP-2021-0088.pdf

Britain to ban all new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles from 2040: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/britain-ban-all-new-diesel-petrol-heavy-goods-vehicles-2040-2021-07-13/

Carry on flying, says government green plan: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57830168

Consultation – Wales: Proposal to reduce speed limit to 20mph on residential streets. Open until 1 October 2021: https://gov.wales/proposal-reduce-speed-limit-20mph-residential-streets

Trains far greener but much more costly than planes, analysis finds: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/trains-far-greener-but-much-more-costly-than-planes-analysis-finds

Air quality & pollution

50% of air pollution comes from 1% of the global surface: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/07/07/50-if-air-pollution-comes-from-1-of-the-global-surface/

PM2.5 is associated with a higher risk of ICU treatment for Covid-19: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/07/09/pm2-5-is-associated-with-a-higher-risk-of-icu-treatment-for-covid-19/

New approach could change how we track extreme air pollution events: https://news.mit.edu/2021/new-approach-could-change-how-we-track-extreme-air-pollution-events-0630

Why are England’s water companies pumping out a tide of sewage? Because they can: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/13/water-companies-britain-seas-sewage-fines-environment-agency

Food and food security

Testing Times for UK Food Policy: Nine principles and Tests: https://foodresearch.org.uk/publications/testing-times-for-uk-food-policy-nine-principles-and-tests/

National Food Strategy published today – National Food Strategy: An independent review for Government: https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/

• National Food Strategy: Tax sugar and salt and prescribe veg, report says: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57838103
• Food Standards Authority - National Food Strategy Part 2: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/national-food-strategy-part-2
• Introduce salt and sugar tax and cut meat eating by 30% to tackle health and climate crises, says major report: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/meat-eating-health-climate-nature-b1884223.html
• School meals, cooking culture and farm tech: key points of the food strategy: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/15/school-meals-cooking-culture-and-farm-tech-key-points-of-the-food-strategy

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/state-food-security-and-nutrition-world-2021-transforming-food-systems-food-security

Revealed: the true extent of America’s food monopolies, and who pays the price: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigation

Supporting food security in climate stricken world requires a geographically diverse palate: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/07/supporting-food-security-in-climate-stricken-world-requires-a-geographically-diverse-palate/

Marketing fast food to kids, especially minority kids: https://www.foodpolitics.com/2021/07/marketing-fast-food-to-kids-especially-minority-kids/

WMHPG news, information and resources 25 June 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.

The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on ‘Investment for Health and Well-being’ at Public Health Wales, United Kingdom is leading work to capture and illustrate the Social Value and wider health impact of public health. As part of this project, we have developed a survey to be disseminated via international networks to representatives from National and Regional Public Health Institutes to help develop and promote wider thinking, understanding and work to promote, enable and support a ‘Value-Based Public Health’ approach, through using Social Value and Health Impact Assessment tools. See attached files – survey link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9XBXDNG

Sustainable development goals

UK aid cuts to Bangladesh NGO a ‘gut punch’, says charity head: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/14/uk-aid-cuts-to-bangladesh-ngo-a-gut-punch-says-charity-head

Time to make energy poverty in Africa a thing of the past: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/6/17/time-to-make-energy-poverty-in-africa-history

World Federation of Public Health Associations - Casebook On Advocacy In Public Health: https://www.wfpha.org/casebook-on-advocacy-in-public-health/

COVID-19 Impact Inquiry – webinar: https://thehealthfoundation.zoom.us/webinar/register/6816218729516/WN_3z3SIOuiSOiVU5_ErqLFYQ

JRF - Freeing low-income single parents from in-work poverty's grip: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/freeing-low-income-single-parents-work-povertys-grip

Legal & General establishes partnership with Sir Michael Marmot to address UK health inequality: https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/media-centre/press-releases/legal-general-establishes-partnership-with-sir-michael-marmot-to-address-uk-health-inequality/

The UK’s Living Standards Crisis: https://neweconomics.org/2021/06/the-uks-living-standards-crisis

Healthy planning & environment

Health and Wellbeing in Planning Network: Education of the future Public Health Spatial Planning Workforce event - Friday 2 July, 14:00 – 15:30, MS Teams: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/education-of-the-future-public-health-spatial-planning-workforce-tickets-147162754761

The Future of EIA in a Zonal Planning System: https://lichfields.uk/blog/2021/june/23/the-future-of-eia-in-a-zonal-planning-system/

Guest Blog: Planning reform must increase, not hinder, the supply of genuinely affordable homes - Jonathan Lewis: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/Blog/planning-reform-must-increase-not-hinder-the-supply-of-genuinely-affordable-homes

Consensus not culture war is our only hope of building the homes we need: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/Blog/blog-when-the-shouting-stops-hugh-ellis

Cities have a green infrastructure blind spot - Carbon footprint standards exist for buildings, but not for the landscaping that surrounds them: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/06/cities-have-a-green-infrastructure-blind-spot/

Bee-friendly urban wildflower meadows prove a hit with German city dwellers: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/20/bee-friendly-urban-wildflower-meadows-prove-a-hit-with-german-city-dwellers

U.N. warns drought may be 'the next pandemic': https://www.reuters.com/article/un-drought-report/u-n-warns-drought-may-be-the-next-pandemic-idUSL5N2NY51U

Turning off half of city lights at night could cut bird mortality by up to 60 percent: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/06/turning-off-city-lights-could-dramatically-reduce-bird-collisions/

Housing

Climate advisers warn UK housing is not ready for deadly heatwaves: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/climate-advisers-warn-uk-housing-is-not-ready-for-deadly-heatwaves?tkn=1

Climate change & sustainability

Greenhouse gas emissions from food systems: building the evidence base: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac018e

London Climate Action Week - 26th June - 4th July 2021 - Harnessing The Power Of London For Global Climate Action   https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/

Ashden - Why don’t we just… get serious about green jobs? https://ashden.org/news/why-dont-we-just-get-serious-about-green-jobs/

Commentary on the recent Climate Change Committee report: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2021-progress-report-to-parliament/

• CCC: UK will miss climate goals by ‘huge margin’ without new policies: https://www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-uk-will-miss-climate-goals-by-huge-margin-without-new-policies
• Britain risks missing climate targets due to lack of policies: advisers: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-britain/britain-risks-missing-climate-targets-due-to-lack-of-policies-advisers-idUSKCN2DZ2R1
• UK has done ‘surprisingly little’ to deliver on climate targets, say official advisers: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/06/24/uk-has-done-surprisingly-little-to-deliver-on-climate-targets-say-official-advisers/
• PM not delivering on climate promises – advisers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57580254

Why the UK is so unprepared for the impacts of climate change: https://theconversation.com/why-the-uk-is-so-unprepared-for-the-impacts-of-climate-change-162976

Crushing climate impacts to hit sooner than feared: draft UN report: https://au.news.yahoo.com/crushing-climate-impacts-hit-sooner-010253060.html

NOAA index tracks how greenhouse gas pollution amplified global warming in 2020: https://research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2759/NOAA-index-tracks-how-greenhouse-gas-pollution-amplified-global-warming-in-2020

UN blasts world leaders for failing to seal £72bn-a-year deal on climate: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/20/un-blasts-world-leaders-for-failing-to-seal-72bn-a-year-deal-on-climate

Most new wind and solar projects will be cheaper than coal, report finds: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/23/most-new-wind-solar-projects-cheaper-than-coal-report

Wind turbine clash adds to UK-EU post-Brexit tensions: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/17/wind-turbines-clash-adds-to-uk-eu-post-brexit-tensions

Ministers told to reject 'indefensible' Shetland oil field plans: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19393083.ministers-told-reject-indefensible-shetland-oil-field-plans/

Norway not ready to let go of oil, gas in push for greener energy: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/norway-not-ready-let-go-oil-gas-push-hydrogen-offshore-wind-2021-06-11/

Nuclear energy: Fusion plant backed by Jeff Bezos to be built in UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57512229

Heat wave sparks historically unseasonable wildfires in West: https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/559870-heat-wave-sparks-historically-unseasonable-wildfires-in

Head of Independent Sage to launch international climate change group: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/20/head-of-independent-sage-to-launch-international-climate-change-group

Eight ways to make your climate change social media posts matter – from a communication expert: https://theconversation.com/eight-ways-to-make-your-climate-change-social-media-posts-matter-from-a-communication-expert-161026

Active travel & transport

New inquiry will inform the government’s walking and cycling strategy: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/06/16/new-inquiry-will-inform-the-governments-walking-and-cycling-strategy/

All aboard: A plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel: https://www.ippr.org/research/publications/all-aboard

Brussels drafts death sentence for the internal combustion engine car: https://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-mulls-dealing-death-blow-gas-guzzling-cars/

Air quality & pollution

Physicians to be better trained on effects of air pollution on health, says college: https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1558

Lead from leaded petrol persists in London air despite ‘90s ban: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/224474/lead-from-leaded-petrol-persists-london/

Air pollution and infertility: the next global crisis? https://airqualitynews.com/2021/06/21/air-pollution-and-infertility-the-next-global-crisis/

Government announces new measures to tackle air pollution: https://airqualitynews.com/2021/06/18/government-announces-new-measures-to-tackle-air-pollution/

UK refuses to commit to immediate lowering of air pollution limits: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/17/uk-refuses-to-commit-to-reduction-of-legal-air-pollution-levels

Interview: How to deal with our growing e-waste mountain: https://environmentjournal.online/articles/interview-how-to-deal-with-our-growing-e-waste-mountain/

Scientists convert used plastic bottles into vanilla flavouring: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/15/scientists-convert-used-plastic-bottles-into-vanilla-flavouring

Plastic rafting: the invasive species hitching a ride on ocean litter: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/14/plastic-rafting-the-invasive-species-hitching-a-ride-on-ocean-litter

Wardrobe Change - It’s time for the textile industry to stop harming our planet: https://wardrobechange.eu/

Food and food security

The impact of climate change on the productivity of conservation agriculture: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-021-01075-w

Government ‘kicking the can down the road’ on actions to tackle food insecurity: https://www.hortweek.com/government-kicking-down-road-actions-tackle-food-insecurity/fresh-produce/article/1719731

Food-related emissions beyond the farm gate are now almost as large as those from farming itself: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/06/we-overlook-a-major-source-of-food-related-emissions-the-ones-produced-beyond-the-farm/

Robot farmers could improve jobs and help fight climate change – if they’re developed responsibly; https://theconversation.com/robot-farmers-could-improve-jobs-and-help-fight-climate-change-if-theyre-developed-responsibly-162718

Supporting sustainable development in the agricultural sector: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/iifa-ssd061721.php

The regenerative ranching racket: https://theecologist.org/2021/jun/14/regenerative-ranching-racket-0