Climate Change

An industrial factory emits thick plumes of smoke from multiple chimneys near the Yangtze River in China. The greyish-white smoke billows into the overcast sky, partially obscuring the green, terraced hills in the background. The factory complex is surrounded by dense vegetation in the foreground, contrasting sharply with the pollution above.

Proxy Measures

Democracies may appear greener by offshoring pollution, shifting environmental harm to less democratic countries.

A wooden construction panel in a Venetian square, Campo Santa Marina, features black spray-painted graffiti reading ‘RISE UP 4 CLIMATE JUSTICE.’ The panel is part of a temporary structure, bordered by red and white hazard tape, with a pile of metal pipes stacked on the cobbled ground in front. Behind, historic buildings with shuttered windows and balconies frame the scene.

Inheritance Pattern

The wealthiest 10% of people are responsible for two-thirds of the global warming we see today, while the top 1% account for one-fifth.

A world map showing global terrestrial water storage anomalies for December 2019. The map uses shades of brown and blue to illustrate areas with below-average (brown) and above-average (blue) water storage compared to the long-term average from 2003 to 2019. Large parts of North and South America, southern Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia display significant water deficits (brown), while areas such as Canada, northern Eurasia, and parts of Southeast Asia show above-average storage (blue). The background is a dark navy grid indicating global latitude and longitude lines

Drying the Spine

The climate crisis is not just altering weather – it is rewiring Earth’s hydrological systems.

A golf course at Newbiggin Golf Club with manicured green fairways and sandy dunes in the foreground. A tractor is maintaining the course while a golfer pulls a trolley nearby. In the background, wind turbines and power lines stretch across the horizon, contrasting the natural landscape with industrial elements.

Greening the Fairway

Golf courses occupy more land than renewable energy – repurposing them could boost solar and wind capacity.

A chain-link fence in the foreground encloses a dimly lit site with a concrete floor. Several rats are visible scurrying across the ground, one near a discarded popcorn container. Orange and white safety barriers line the edges of the site, and faint tire tracks mark the dusty pavement. The scene is illuminated by artificial lighting, casting a muted glow over the area.

Ruin’s Vermin

Rats are thriving in warming, expanding cities, with rising populations linked to climate change, posing risks to health and infrastructure.

This image shows a map of the Arctic region highlighting ground temperature trends from 2000 to 2019. Areas with significant permafrost thaw are marked in shades of red, while cooler areas are in blue. The map includes various Arctic settlements and administrative boundaries, providing a detailed visual representation of the changing permafrost landscape.

Frost’s Defeat

Arctic permafrost thaw endangers communities, ecosystems, and infrastructures, necessitating adaptive strategies and policies.

A serene sunset over a calm body of water, with the golden-orange glow of the sun illuminating the surface. Silhouetted mountains form a jagged horizon in the distance, and a small boat drifts peacefully across the water. The scene evokes a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty.

Burning Seas

Ocean temperatures in 2024 reached record highs, signalling escalating global warming, with severe consequences for weather, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.

Photograph of a boreal forest in late winter, featuring tall evergreen trees dusted with snow. The ground is blanketed in unbroken white snow, while the trees reach upwards under a clear blue sky. Soft shadows stretch across the snow, creating a serene and crisp winter scene

Drunken Forests

Boreal forests face warming risks as unstable permafrost reduces tree growth, limiting carbon storage.

A pre-Raphaelite-inspired painting of maritime glaciers in southern Patagonia. The artwork depicts majestic, towering ice formations with intricate details, set against a serene turquoise sea. In the background, dramatic mountain peaks rise under soft, ethereal light. The composition emphasises rich, natural hues and textures, showcasing the pristine beauty and grandeur of untouched nature. The scene evokes a sense of stillness and awe, with subtle reflections on the water enhancing the realism.

Shifting Horizons

Whilst rising temperatures threaten glaciers, increased precipitation could stabilise them if emissions are significantly reduced.

An impressionist oil painting of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The scene depicts a vast, frozen landscape with rugged, cracked ice formations stretching into the distance under a moody sky. The dark sea nearby hints at hidden depths, with subtle warmth suggested beneath the ice. Scattered icebergs catch glimmers of light as the sun begins to set, casting a serene, cold glow over the landscape. The brushstrokes are expressive and textured, creating a dynamic, atmospheric impression of the raw beauty of the Antarctic environment.

Beneath the Shelf’s Skin

Warm water under Antarctica’s ice shelves speeds up melting. A Seaglider study provides insights into this process, aiding climate predictions.