Net zero goal still alive, says IEA – but the world still faces major obstacles to reach it: This roundup of stories is adapted from our weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine, written by environment editor Jack Marley. Click here to subscribe. Globally, the rate at which people are installing solar panels and buying electric vehicles …
People who grow their own fruit and veg waste less food and eat more healthily, says research: Households that produced their own fruit and veg wasted 95% less than the average UK household. Air Images/Shutterstock The rising cost of living is making it harder for people, especially those on lower incomes (who often have poorer …
Love or hate TikTok’s viral bottle-smashing trend? A neuroscientist explains what that says about your brain: Alberto Pardo Gomez/Shutterstock Millions of TikTok users are watching videos of the viral bottle-smashing trend, in which bottles and jars filled with drinks or food are rolled down steps before smashing. Some of these viewers seem to be watching …
I’m one of the UK’s official climate change advisers – our new report says the country is no longer a world leader: Anne Coatesy / shutterstock The UK’s Climate Change Committee – the official independent advisory body of which I am interim chair – has spent the past three months poring over thousands of pages …
Are low-traffic neighbourhoods greenwashing? Here’s what the evidence says: Since the pandemic, a series of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) have been installed across the UK. LTNs are designed to curtail car use in residential streets and promote active modes of travel such as walking, cycling and travelling by wheelchair. They aim to create a more pleasant …
Coronation Street: what Amy Barlow’s storyline says about rape and consent: Set among the everyday lives of ordinary, working-class people on the rainy cobbles of North Manchester, England, Coronation Street is the world’s longest running soap opera. It is enduringly popular partly for its hard-hitting, topical storylines. The show’s writers have partnered with charities to …
Ukraine war: what international law says about the Russians fighting against their own country: In the weeks before Ukraine’s counteroffensive – and as Ukraine’s military activity in Russian-occupied areas of its country increased in intensity – there have been reports of attacks on the other side of the border directed against Russian targets. Ground raids …
Woman jailed over abortion – an expert on what UK law actually says and what needs to change: fizkes/Shutterstock Many people assume that because abortion is relatively accessible in England, it is not a crime. The fact that a woman has now received a 28-month prison sentence for taking abortion pills past the ten-week legal …
The government says migration is too high – but the latest numbers reflect a crisis of its own making in social care: Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock The UK government’s response to the latest net migration figures is that the numbers need to come down. But the UK needs migrants and the skills they bring – and employers …
Are rich people more intelligent? Here’s what the science says: From White Lotus to Succession, there’s high demand for television dramas about the super rich. The characters on these shows are typically portrayed as entitled, hollow and sad. But they aren’t necessarily depicted as unintelligent. So are rich people rich because they are smart? In …
Free secondary education in African countries is on the rise – but is it the best policy? What the evidence says: Africa's secondary school enrolment rates still lag far behind those of other world regions'. David Dorey/Contributor/Getty Images When President Salva Kiir announced the abolition of secondary school fees in South Sudan in February 2023, …
Should your summer-born child start school later? Here’s what the research says: Sharomka/Shutterstock If you have a child born in the summer, the prospect of starting school can pose a conundrum. In England, for example, children typically start school in the September after they turn four, which for some can mean just a few months, …
Is there a tipping point for Trump supporters to stop backing him? Here’s what the science says: Donald Trump has had some bad days recently, objectively speaking. A jury in New York found found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a civil case brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll. This came on …
What an exhibition by artists of the Vietnamese diaspora says about home and belonging: Multiple works by KV Duong. Joseph Beeching, CC BY-NC-ND Which objects create a feeling of home for you? A particular chair, a table, a teacup from your childhood kitchen? Visitors to the current exhibition at London’s Museum of the Home are …
Why post-Brexit Britain is still open for business – despite what Microsoft says: lookslikephoto.com/Shutterstock The UK’s ability to attract business has recently been called into question after its competition regulator blocked tech giant Microsoft from buying gaming firm Activision for US$ 68.7 billion (£55 billion). Microsoft’s president not only said this decision was “bad for …
Is ice cream really healthy? Here’s what the evidence says: A little bit every now and again probably won't hurt. Johnstocker Production/Shutterstock Ice cream lovers worldwide were probably rejoicing when a recent article suggested that indulging in your favourite flavour might be healthy. The article drew upon a 2018 doctoral thesis, which suggested that people …
ChatGPT: what the law says about who owns the copyright of AI-generated content: ChatGPT has generated enormous interest, but is some of its content protected under copyright law? Shutterstock / Blue Planet Studio The AI chatbot ChatGPT produces content that can appear to have been created by a human. There are many proposed uses for …
Having low expectations probably won’t make us happier – here’s what psychology research says: mavo/Shutterstock Finland was recently named the happiest country in the world for the sixth year running. A range of theories have been put forward to explain why the Nordic nation continues to rank at the top of the table for happiness, …