From rising costs to unequal access the reality of climate action and the green economies wider accessibility demonstrate the reality of climate action is far from fair for all. As working class families and members of society with not grand levels of disposable income find themselves likely wanting to take part but often facing the brunt side of the issue.

This article will look at the realities of what good sustainable practices look like and the benefits those who work in them find from their employment and environment. While also comparing that to the realities of the everyday person trying to navigate life in the most environmentally friendly way, but who often find themselves at the brunt of the expensive side of the green economy and its practices to tackle climate change and help reach the internationally recognised goal of net zero by 2050.

Climate change is a bleak reality that the world is heading towards with it no longer situated as a distant threat but rather shaping how we live and function in day to day life. From the way we live to the way we work the idea of sustainability to help contribute to net zero carbon emissions has become a regular function to modern life. However, as society moves more and more to net zero and wider sustainability the question of who actually has the ability to live sustainably without suffering financially and or mentally is the real conundrum.

All across the UK policy is being introduced to reduce carbon emissions. Cities like Oxford have introduced congestion charges while the wider working industry is trying to adopt the use of the green economy for ethical reasoning. On the surface these changes are good for the fight against climate change but fail to look at the impact to those who cannot afford to incur new expenses in a challenged economy and or have the same level of accessibility.

The concept of a growing imbalance between those who can and cannot manage the move to sustainability is a real issue at the heart of social justice. With some industries adopting and synergising with the rise of the green economy with Government backing while others face grand financial and practical barriers that make going green and becoming sustainable far more difficult and likely don’t work in an environment that promotes its practices. Through this article to help analyse what good sustainable practice looks like, the use of a leading sustainable workplace and the experiences of an everyday citizen who finds themselves foul to the change in lifestyle and its barriers.

At the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus an Oxfordshire science and technology hub home to both public and private sector organisations show that the use of sustainable practices is at the heart of everything they do and demonstrate what good practice looks like for a mass employer. They seek to use tangible action as they see it as the only way to make a genuine difference. With several headline commitments set to try and be achieved in this decade. As the urgent need to tackle the climate emergency is there and to help enable a net positive future. With policies like the design of new developments through the form of net zero carbon buildings. Which seeks to reduce operational carbon and upfront embodied carbon by at least 50%. Along with sustainable travel policy and zero landfill.

Thomas Greenaway, an employee working at the STFC department, put forward the lengths of the companies renewable sustainability drive stating “So we’re quite good at using more renewable sources of energy. So we have a lot of solar panels around the site. All of the car parks, and all the shelters for the car parks are big solar panels, which are connected to the main system. Which lets us use less energy from the main grid. Recovery system, which means that the helium that we don’t use doesn’t get vented into the atmosphere, it gets put through a system, filtered and then put back into our tanks to reuse.

This approach highlights what can be achieved when sustainability is backed and driven by investment. On the ability to help with sustainable travel they have a cycle to work scheme on this they said “We have a cycle to work scheme that allows us to get bicycles for cheaper and on a payment plan with work meaning it comes from your pay-check directly so it is not taxed.

On the environment that the organisation’s ethical accountability creates they stated “It’s good to know that we’re working towards sustainability. We also have training courses on sustainability to make sure that everyone’s on the same level and standard”.

However, the idea that everyone would have access to facilities like Harwell would be naive. In Oxford the new congestion charge has caused a debate on the impact they will have on those who are actually benefiting from this sustainability policy change. Speaking to Harry Walker an active working Oxfordshire resident stated on the issue “I believe the system of charging for access has been made unnecessarily complicated and disregards the financial circumstances of many households”.

The idea of fairness is vital to the green divide and the green economy. Looking at who actually benefits and who suffers the most.

As the transition to a greener future and economy is essential it also has to be fair to allow for those who want to take part can and aren’t just priced out and prevented by their wealth. This could come through a just transition along with community led groups such as Round Our Way that look to give marginalised communities in the UK a voice and help bridge the gap of inequality within the green economy.

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Three in five Britons say sustainability is important when buying fashion. Yet ultra-fast fashion brands such as Shein remain among the fastest growing retailers in 2025, and young consumers are among the highest intensity buyers and returners.

This contradiction reveals how sustainability now functions as the central narrative shaping how fashion defines brand value, corporate responsibility, and future growth. From product labelling to corporate reporting, environmental vocabulary increasingly frames how brands portray themselves and justify their practices. The question is, however, whether this shift reflects transformation or simply reframes business as usual in greener terms.

For Cathy d’Abreu, senior lecturer in Education for Sustainability at Oxford Brookes Business School, the shift must be understood within a broader crisis context. “The poly crisis of biodiversity loss, spiralling social inequalities and the climate crisis are all placing businesses in a very different terrain with lots of challenges,” she says. Sustainability communication, in this sense, is not accidental. It is a response to mounting ecological pressure, regulatory scrutiny, and cultural expectation.

But awareness alone does not drive change. “More and more, we’re realising that emotions play a crucial part, not just in how we feel about climate change or its impacts, but also about the effect on our pro-social or pro-environmental behaviours,” d’Abreu explains. For decades, sustainability campaigns have been launched in the hopes that educating the consumer would encourage behaviour. Research now suggests otherwise.

‘Beyond Retro’ (Gracie Pratt, 2026)

The gap between expressed values and lived behaviour is visible across generations, suggesting that the drivers of environmentalism extend beyond demographic differences and into deeper cultural and economic structures. While a majority of Britons say that sustainability matters when buying fashion, only 41% of Gen Z claimed to have recycled packaging in the past year. A quarter of Gen Z and Millennials now buy second-hand, a slight increase year-on-year, and 25% of the youngest Gen Z consumers agree they are buying fewer items overall. Yet high volume, low cost retail continues to expand, supported by significant purchasing and high return rates.

The difference, d’Abreu argues, lies not only in action but in the way sustainability is communicated. In her research, she distinguishes between what she calls Transformation Washing and Transformation Wishing. Transformation washing, she explains, is the “deliberate exploitation of sustainability for financial gain or financial market share.” In these cases, sustainability language is used strategically, with little intention of changing the underlying business model.

She contrasts this with transformation wishing, where there is “good intention behind it, but there’s not a lot of substance to how that’s put in place.” Here, organisations may genuinely want to be more sustainable,, but their efforts remain surface level, focused on incremental adjustments, rather than the deep systematic change required. The risk, she suggests, is that both approaches can look similar from the outside, making it difficult to distinguish between meaningful transformation and carefully managed perception. Transformation can be adapted to “ride the wave” of the popularity of the term without actually engaging in deep, systemic changes.

In fashion, systemic changes would extend beyond material substitutions or capsule collections to consider production volumes, growth targets, and the tempo of trend cycles themselves. Much of the industry’s sustainability discourse focuses on fabric innovation or resource efficiency, yet rarely challenges the main structural issues that drive environmental impact. At the heart of the sustainability debate lies a more uncomfortable issue, consumption. “For me, hyper consumption is what is driving a huge proportion of the crises that we’re going through,” d”Abreu says.

“Making more sustainable products with better supply chains and more equitable working practices is not going to result in a more sustainable future if we’re all still buying lots of things.”

The business model underpinning ultra-fast fashion illustrates the tension clearly. “The whole business model is built on pile it high and sell it fast. And there’s no way that we can furnish that within Earth’s limits.” As long as fashion remains dependent on the constant increase in production and purchasing, improvements in sustainability for fashion brands will constantly be offset by the scale of overall consumption.

‘Zero Waste’ (Gracie Pratt, 2026)

In contrast to typical fast-fashion retailers, a Brighton-based second-hand store To Be Worn Again attempts to challenge this model through the resale of vintage and deadstock garments. “We don’t sell any new clothes. We just give dead stock another life rather than letting it go to landfill,” employee Evie explains. “A lot of customers come in specifically because they want something unique and with a story.”

Yet this contrast also points to a deeper cultural question: what emotional need does consumption fulfil? According to d’Abreu, advertising has long been built on a deficit model. “A lot of consumption and the basic premise of advertising is that you are not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, stylish enough, but if you buy this product, you will be,” she says. “People buy things for that feeling, but it doesn’t fulfil that desire.”

Historically, products were marketed for durability or craftsmanship. Today, particularly in the fashion industry, clothing is increasingly promoted as a form of personal identity and social signalling. Sustainability messaging can also serve this signalling function for brands, creating the appearance of ethical awareness without necessarily changing the underlying consumption patterns that remain central to the industry.

For meaningful transformation to occur, d’Abreu suggests, emotional perceptions must shift. “This will raise an emotion in people that is uncomfortable. That’s where I’m hoping the transformation is going to happen, that they’ll think, well, actually, I don’t feel comfortable about this, because I know what impact this is having.” Discomfort, rather than reassurance, may be the catalyst. Still, responsibility cannot sit solely with the individuals, as collective shifts require structural support.

“I think consumers have power collectively, so the choices that they make are really important,”

Sustainability is now embedded in the language of fashion, evolving rapidly in response to crisis and scrutiny. Whether the system itself evolves at the same pace remains less certain.

Awareness is building. Second hand markets are on the rise. Some consumers are buying less. Yet production remains substantial, growth is a priority, and meaningful transformation remains difficult. Fashion has learned to speak sustainability fluently.

The question now is whether sustainability is redesigning the fashion industry, or simply upcycling its image.

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According to Angus, who looked at data gathered by Bioregional (and who his son, Douglas, worked for), “In the West, we’re consuming at a rate equivalent to three planets, and in North America, we’re consuming five planets' worth”.

The team at One Planet Clanfield is working to change this and believes that engaging with the community to tackle the problem is the most effective approach.

The group provides the foundation for numerous initiatives in the village, from Sustainability Saturdays to a thriving community allotment - serving as a gathering space for the community, offering regular talks with climate experts, composting sessions, and giving a hands-on approach to growing food sustainably bringing the community closer together - and even a Repair Café.

Getting the community involved in a renewable energy project is no easy feat, however, the response from Clanfield residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Angus shares, “We had 93% of residents in a recent survey saying they’re interested or very interested in joining the scheme.”, and says they took inspiration from a similar movement in the UK.

Lying 5 miles west of Newmarket, Swaffham Prior is a small village in East Cambridgeshire and is the first village in the United Kingdom to use a rural heating network. Using a combination of solar panels, heat pumps, underground storage and electric boilers, heat is delivered via a network of heavily insulated underground pipes.

This allows homes that connect to it, to tap into the heat via existing radiators and hot water appliances. The system (costing roughly 12 million pounds) was installed in 2022 and was made possible through government grants and the residents themselves making payments via their household bills (with the overall cost to be spread over the next 60 years).

One Planet Clanfield is currently in the process of applying for planning permission to establish a heat network similar to the one in Swaffham Prior. This has raised the question: will other communities follow suit? According to Angus, “Yes, not only do I think they will, but we are already seeing similar movements in areas like Nottingham, Kings Langley in Hertfordshire, and probably many other places that we just don’t know about yet.”

However, the group is facing challenges, particularly with energy storage. Beyond obtaining planning permission, they are also focused on finding viable solutions for storing the energy generated.

Andrew Prosser, the local councillor for Witney (near Clanfield), met with the group while speaking at an event in nearby Chipping Norton. Angus approached him for assistance, and Prosser expressed his support, praising the group’s dedication. He remarked that it’s “wonderful to have a group of people who are really motivated to do this and offer local advice.”

Councillor Prosser also emphasised the significant impact this project could have on the wider community, noting, “People getting involved directly at various stages of the project is far more effective than simply hearing about it from someone else,” adding that the “enthusiasm for this initiative is high”.

But enthusiasm alone isn’t enough to overcome the financial and logistical hurdles alone. With prices increasing, it’s very tempting to stay with the old ways rather than upgrade to new, often expensive alternatives.

“Right now, oil is relatively cheap” Angus notes, “so people won’t see an immediate advantage to this scheme. But what they don’t realise is that in 10 years’ time, they won’t be able to replace or install a new oil boiler. Eventually, they’re going to be cold, or they’re going to have to move on.” The solution - heat pumps.

Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association explains “Heat pumps capture heat from the air, ground, or water, which is then passed through a heat exchanger. This is absorbed by refrigerant gas, raising the temperature, after which the heat is transferred into water that flows through radiators and hot water systems.”

But this again isn’t a cheap option in the short term; air source heat pumps (the most commonly installed in the UK) usually total between £6,500 to £11,500 (the overall price including VAT, labour costs and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant).

Canfield’s energy project also draws inspiration from Denmark’s Copenhill (Amager Bakke), a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen that generates electricity and heat while serving as a recreational space. The innovative facility is part of Denmark’s district heating network, which powers 60% of the country’s residents. Unlike Denmark, Clanfield was not designed with this heating system in mind, so the challenge for Clanfield - home to many charming, listed buildings - is retrofitting the houses with access to the heat network and minimising heat loss through insulation where possible. However, this is not an essential prerequisite in terms of planning but conserving heat and preventing unnecessary heat leakage are other key goals of the group.

Despite these challenges, the community’s commitment to renewable energy remains strong. As Angus puts it, “It’s not just about the technology; it’s about changing the way we think and live.”

Clanfield is boldly paving the way and setting an example for how rural communities can tackle climate change and create sustainable, long-term solutions, proving that the power to create change is in all of our hands, or as Angus eloquently puts it, “lovely people doing great things, and that's where it comes down at the end”.

Currently, there's an estimated population of roughly 61,000 orangutans of all three subspecies. This has fallen from an estimated population of 104,700 bornean orangutans in 2004 and 288,500 in 1973. This could fall to as few as 47,000 by the end of 2025, according to the IUCN.

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But why are these great apes struggling to survive? Some blame palm oil and try to boycott products containing it, including various chocolate spreads, but can cutting out your favourite toast topping make a difference?

Another factor is deforestation throughout Asia but particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, however much of this is for palm oil or tea plantations, which would be almost impossible to ban.

Is palm oil the enemy?

Whether palm oil is the issue has been up for debate for a while, however, there has recently been more of a focus on ensuring sustainable production processes.

Dr Susan Cheyne, Senior Lecturer in Biological Anthropology and Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University and Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF), stated that the “felling of forests for plantations of any type, such as palm oil, is going to have a huge impact. Certainly the position that I take is not to ban palm oil. That's simply not going to happen. It's such a huge component of the economy of Indonesia and Malaysia, and so many people depend upon it for their livelihoods. What we need to have is deforestation free palm oil.”

Also, there is an argument that palm oil, if produced sustainably, is better than other plant oils, as it has a yield per hectare of two to eight times more than any alternative vegetable oil, according to conservation group The Sustainable Palm Oil Choice.

It is also important that although sustainable palm oil can be a great resource, many products do not need to include it. Dr Cheyne reminisced on her Scottish heritage noting that “it's starting to be used in products it just doesn't need to be in. My ancestors would never have made oat cakes with palm oil, for crying out loud.”

Is conservation working?

How to best protect the environment and endangered species is ever changing.

Dr Cheyne noted that conservationists have realised recently that “A single species approach to conservation isn't particularly effective. You need to look at the whole system, the whole landscape, and if you're looking at that, then you also have to include the humans that live around it, and may use it as well.”

For those of us who don’t have a background in conservation, this essentially means that focusing on one species won’t be enough to save it, instead we have to think about the planet and specific ecosystems as just that – systems. We need to consider people living near them and how they interact, and the species living within it.

Another issue facing conservation is “the lack of government support. I think the government is happy to rely on charities and NGOs to do the work, which takes away the responsibility. But NGOs simply cannot command the level of money that the governments do,” says Dr Cheyne, considering how the field could improve.

In terms of charity conservation work, Adrienne Powell, charity manager at Orangutan Appeal UK, noted that “Through [the charity’s] efforts rescuing orphaned, injured, and displaced orangutans, providing care and rehabilitation, and supporting the protection and restoration of the rainforest, [they] are helping to preserve the remaining populations of wild orangutans.”

What can we do?

So what can we do, as individuals, to help protect the rainforests and orangutans?

Dr Cheyne noted the importance of working together: “Every waterfall starts with a single drop of water, but look at the power of a waterfall combined. I alone can't do anything, but if I work with a lot of people and get the message out there, all of us together, we have the power of a waterfall.”

“There’s action in numbers, but at the same time, each individual person has to take responsibility in their own home, for the reason their own home for the recycling, etc.”

In terms of direct action we can take, being conscious of energy use, recycling, using reusable bottles and coffee cups, avoiding single-use plastic, considering the sustainability of products we buy, are all hugely important.

Marco Tognazzi, a student, stated that he tries to minimise his environmental impact, through being “conscious of consumerism” and “using reusable products instead of plastic.” He also noted the greater impact that governments can have.

Similarly, Tamia Makwaza, also a student, explained that she “came from a background where recycling is non-existent, so when I moved here I started paying more attention to recycling, so instead of putting everything to waste I made that conscious decision to start separating things.”

Josh Staien, a barista, considered the benefits of walking rather than driving or catching public transport, although he also considered the impact a government could have if it brought in new schemes or taxes to increase sustainability.

Finally, Madison Henry, another student, noted the benefits of vegetarianism and the impact of meat production on the environment, she felt that although she avoids single-use plastics, she “could probably do more.”

The Orangutan Appeal UK encourages donations for people looking to make a difference to orangutan populations, however there are options for those of us looking to make lifestyle changes rather than helping financially. It’s becoming increasingly easy to check for products using palm oil and sustainable palm oil usage, with apps available to check ingredients with a quick barcode scan.

Dr Cheyne summed up that “a lot of the problem is that people are uncertain what action to take. I do believe that everyone can be a conservationist in their own small way. I know a lot of the time when people look at conservation, it’s all doom and gloom, but there is progress as well. It’s just not happening as fast as it needs to.”

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Locals from different parts of Oxfordshire have collected in an attempt to reverse the plans, as they claim it will create ‘devastating’ effects to the countryside that cannot be reversed. A campaign group called Stop Botley West (SBW) has formed to try and stop these plans going forward. 

Not everyone is completely against the solar farm though, as students from Oxford Brookes University shared their thoughts on the farm’s importance for the UK renewable energy goals. 

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Who is Stop Botley West? 

The SBW campaign is a collective group of locals who have come together to try and cancel the plans for the solar farm. They have gained some fame over the past few months, as their protests have led them down to Westminster in London. 

For people looking at the group from the outside, it might seem like they are anti-solar, but this is not the case.

The proposed plan would see some of the group’s members impacted directly, as the solar panel farm would take up green fields behind their homes. Steve said: “A significant proportion of the Botley West area sits on Oxford's green belt. We hope that is something that will make them think very hard about the decision on this.”

Some of the group’s main concerns include: Loss of farmland, destruction of Oxfordshire’s countryside and even a potential threat of ‘glare and glint’ for airplanes flying out of the nearby airfield. 

Lesser of two evils

One of the biggest concerns revolving around the project is the potential loss of good farmland in Oxfordshire and in the UK in general too. But then again, the project would provide 840MW (Mega Watts) of electricity, which could potentially power 330,000 homes, according to Photo Vault Development Partners (PVDP), the company who would carry out the project. 

A report released by the Trade and Agriculture Commission in 2021, stated: ‘Rural and urban economies depend on farming: bluntly, if we lose farms and farmers, we risk untold damage to local communities and to the stewardship of the land across every nation of the UK’. According to the report, the amount of arable land in the UK now stands at 14.8 million acres, which is the lowest it's been since WW2. 

Further highlighting the need for farmland, the report showed that land is being taken out of cultivation at a rate of almost 100,000 acres per year. Steve said: “The UK only has so much farmland and farmland that we take out of food production is lost either forever or for the duration of the project.” 

Looking at the positives of the plan, the large amount of renewable energy would be a significant help for the UK to reach its renewable energy targets. In November, the Labour government announced that it wants to cut emissions by 81% by 2035. 

Ella May, 18, student at Oxford Brookes University said: “We need the solar panels for sustainability, it’s so important”. Her view was reciprocated by fellow student Hugh Illingston, 20, who said: “It's so important to diversify where we are getting our energy from and solar is the way to do it.” 

Alternative approaches & looking ahead

One of SBW’s main points is that alternative sources need to be utilised. Steven said: “There are other ways of being sustainable and generating electricity in a more sustainable way that, in simple layman's terms, doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.” 

A report by CPRE Shropshire, a independent charity organisation focusing on the environment, found that a 140 acre solar park is said to be capable of supplying electricity to about 9,000 homes whilst one wind turbine in the North Sea has the capacity to power 16,000 homes. 

The same report said that in one day last year, 78% of the UK’s electricity came from off-shore wind. Steve said: “You have to examine all the alternatives and ensure that you're doing the least damage you can to achieve your aims. We are not satisfied at all that the developer has examined any alternatives.” 

He added: “The government, I think you're heading in the right direction. The targets, I think, are applaudable [...] but we believe that this scheme, by scale and location, is a bad proposition”. Brookes student Ethan Kilworth, 25, agreed that the location of the plan is not the right choice, as he said: “Nobody wants to look at these farms, so it needs to be done in moderation.” 

Another approach that was brought up by both the students and the campaign group was placing the solar panels on roofs or deserts instead of green fields. Steve said: “Solar farms should be in deserts. Let's not beat around the bush, they should not be in highly populated areas that attract millions of tourists every year”. Hugh said: “I’m definitely in favour of solar panels but I think they would work better on roofs.” 

If approved, PVDP hopes construction of the solar farm will begin in early 2026. Commenting on the stage of SBW’s plans, Steven said: “Now we're comfortable with where the inquiry is, and we look forward to engaging with the planning inspector going forward. We will do our very best to make a case for it to be turned down.” 

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Research shows that a two metre tall artificial tree has a carbon footprint of 40kg, compared to a real tree’s footprint of 3.5kg if it is composted or disposed of on a bonfire. This means that you’d have to use your artificial tree for more than 11 years to make its carbon footprint worth it, compared to a properly recycled of real tree. However, the carbon footprint of a real tree increases to 16kg if it ends up in a landfill.

Anne Gow, farmer and owner of Farmer Gow’s, spoke about the benefits of real trees over artificial Christmas trees, stating that they “offer us lots of different benefits, not just environmentally in that they take up ground and help with water table retention and that they give new environments for wildlife. They are also an important part of business because they provide a lot of employment, they’re grown for averagely 10 years, so the impacts to the human being in terms of livelihood, and also biodiversity for the land, are a double positive outcome.”

The conference highlighted the effects of climate change and how increasing temperatures have impacted productivity and in turn the economy. It looked specifically at the social cost of carbon (SCC), which translates the effect of climate change into an economic perspective. 

The conference covered how we are collectively going through more energy, emitting more fossil fuels and further heating the planet. The main organiser Andrea Chiavari says that after global climate increased by 1.3 degrees Celsius the Mediterranean region faced ‘significant challenges regarding agricultural systems in 2024’.

Chiarvari used Italy as an example to demonstrate the link between temperature increases and productivity loss. He points out that When temperatures reach above 40 degrees Celsius, productivity goes down by 30%. 

Cop29: Global temperatures need to decrease

global temperature needs to decrease to benefit the environment and the economy. According to the Cop 29 United Nations climate change conference in Baku, ‘emissions need to be reduced by 43 per cent by 2030 [to] reach net zero by 2050’.

As this race to zero has begun as countries, cities and organisations are committing to attaining net zero emissions. In a UN report, Selwyn Hart, a Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on climate action states: “A revolution in the transition to renewable energy is already underway. It cannot be stopped”. 

Cop 29, which ends Friday 22nd November, has given the public a clearer understanding of what actions governments are taking to battle climate change.

The Oxford University economics conference was followed by a panel discussing Sustaining Sustainability: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Resilience. It was advertised to bring “diverse perspectives into the ways we can achieve the dual goals of financial growth and climate action”.

Guest speaker Dr Nicola Ranger emphasised that “We need the financial support in the transition to renewable resources” and that in order to achieve this “We need policies to create the right frameworks”. These issues are currently dealt with at COP29 as the future of the economy and the future of our planet depend on the actions of officials. 

Overall it was brought to attention that climate change poses a significant threat and challenge to society. As this issue becomes more prominent within society, with recent climate disasters and temperatures rising, actions need to take place. “This is a global solution” says Chiavari, “no country can do this alone”. 

According to the Met Office, during the first week of November, the UK experienced an average of only about three hours of sunshine, with England and Wales seeing even less, averaging under two hours.

In the Oxford area, sunshine duration in early November 2024 was significantly below the seasonal average, with some areas experiencing minimal sunlight. However, Oxford is not the least sunny place in Britain.

That title goes to Odiham in Hampshire, which has recorded only 18 minutes of sunshine since October 28, including zero minutes this month. Altrincham in Greater Manchester has had just 24 minutes of sunshine over the past 11 days, while Belfast has seen only one hour.

Following this period of heavy cloud cover, the weather in Oxford has noticeably improved. Since November 13, the region has enjoyed several days of sunshine, bringing a welcome change.

However, the Met Office forecasts a shift in conditions by the end of November, predicting a 66-hour stretch of continuous snow and ice across the UK. This will likely impact Oxford as well, bringing intense cold and marking the full arrival of winter.

For those who are new to living in the UK, adapting to the weather can be quite challenging. Many international students who have recently arrived report struggling to adjust to the drastic change in climate, with some even experiencing feelings of sadness or depression.

On social media, people share stories of their struggles, noting that if they stay up late and miss the few hours of daylight, they might feel like they’ve spent the entire day in darkness. Others have straightforwardly remarked that sunlight is the UK’s true luxury, a precious commodity rarely in abundance.

Indeed, the lack of sunlight can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by shorter daylight hours and prolonged cloudy skies.

To help alleviate winter-related mood challenges, there are several effective strategies you can adopt.

• Maintain a Regular Routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to help regulate your body clock.

• Spend Time Outdoors: Try to get outside daily, even on cloudy days, as natural light can boost mood and improve sleep quality.

• Engage in Quality Social Activities: Participate in group activities, whether online or offline, to help alleviate feelings of depression.

• Vitamin Supplements: Eat foods rich in vitamin D or take supplements. The UK government recommends taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily during autumn and winter. Additionally, vitamin B12 may help relieve anxiety and depression.

Image from NHS

Victoria Thompson (Witney Road) has found a creative way to tackle the waste from children's clothing by launching a swap shop in February 2023, with the help of her husband, Sam, and a dedicated team of volunteers.

The idea was sparked by the sheer volume of clothes that children outgrow—charity WRAP estimates that around 183 million items of children's clothing are discarded in the UK each year.

According to Kid to Kid, infants go through an average of seven clothing sizes in their first two years alone. Determined to make a difference, Victoria set up the swap shop to help families save money and reduce waste.

Victoria's swap shop is a bustling operation.

She explains, "I wanted to do something instead of just worrying about climate change and the rising cost of living for families. I’ve been so blessed with support, especially from Bump to One, a local group for new parents. They’ve backed us from day one, and I’m incredibly grateful!"

"My husband sets up after a Friday night boxing class, bringing in boxes of clothes and putting up tables," she says. "I arrive at 7 a.m. on Saturday to start sorting, and volunteers help in two shifts until 1 p.m. If we’re lucky, we’re out by then, but sometimes it takes until 3.”

So far, 135 people have joined as ‘swappers,’ meaning they have accounts at the swap shop. The process is simple: bring in children’s clothes (ages 0-10) or maternity wear, and you’ll receive tokens.

Each token can be exchanged for something new, and if you don’t find anything that day, your tokens will still be there for next time.

The swap shop runs every other month, with the next one scheduled for November 23rd at St. Leonard's Hall in Eynsham.

The Hook Norton Community Land Trust took the top prize at the awards last month, following their previous success at the Inside Housing Magazine, where they won best affordable housing development.

The new project saw the creation of 12 sustainable and affordable homes in Hook Norton and looks to set a new path for the UK housing scene, which in 2022 was responsible for 20% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a government report.

“It’s not so much about educating people to care about the sea, as connecting them with it and supporting them more in civic participation,” reported Dr Buchan on Exeter University website. 

This is especially important in the sense of wider environmental education that includes direct advocating of change directly involved with local marine issues and decision-making rather than only small individual actions. 

In recent years there have been projects on the Isle of Wight which foster marine conservation and marine identity in the community, especially in the naval sector. To celebrate it, Hybrid is looking back at the history of the Island's maritime community and the present big players.

Brief history of the Island

The Isle of Wight has always been considered an essential and strategic naval point and close to the heart and history of the Isle of Wight people. Early history suggests it was more of a military base than today's stunning holiday resort. The island was originally part of the mainland, and 12,000 years ago, ice sheets retreated, rising sea levels. According to Wight Coast Fossils, 6,000 years ago, neolithic farmers across the English Channel from France arrived on the Isle of Wight, bringing farming to the land and began populating the Island. 

The Bronze Age Beaker People, who are believed to be the ancestors to the present English, came soon after. About a thousand years later, the Solent River was flooded, and the Wiht became the Isle of Wiht. Throughout the Beaker's habitation, the unique marine location of the Wiht island allowed the indigenous population to develop skills in fishing, seafaring, and coastal trading. 

But nothing was ever peaceful, and the island has experienced numerous invasions, including by the Saxons and Normandy, and was an unfortunate player during the Civil War. 

Nonetheless, in the nineteenth century, the island became a holiday destination with the introduction of the railway. Its warm microclimate was believed to be good for treating lung diseases and the island was considered to have unbeatable natural beauty. Initially, the islanders were rural folks who were predominantly small farmers, fishermen and boatbuilders, but soon, with the emergence of the Victorian era, the industry truly took its turn. 

In 1802, the White family moved to the island, began building ships in East Cowes, and eventually morphed into J. Samuel White Co. in 1860. 

It employed about 500 local artisans, building vessels for the Royal Navy and other military ships, such as the Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica and the Argentinian Mendoza-class destroyer. The firm eventually ceased operations in 1981. 

The Isle of Wight was also the home of the first hovercraft manufacturer, British Hovercraft Corporation. With the help of the local aerospace and marine engineering manufacturer Saunders-Roe, Sir Christopher Sydney Cockerell invented the pioneering hovercraft, whose technology is still visible on the island.

Modern and eco-oriented Isle of Wight

After six thousand years of the Island’s history, the marine industry and the community is still going strong as ever.

Rather than the community’s worry about military unrest of the past, their efforts are now more aimed at the environment. 

Since 2010, Wight Shipyard Co. has been Europe's leading boat manufacturer. According to the firm, “they specialise in lightweight, fast ferries that are constructed to an exceptionally high standard". 

Charlie McCallum has worked in the maritime industry for the past 14 years. He previously taught at UK Sailing Academy/UKSA in East Cowes and is currently a Project Engineer at Wight Shipyard Co.

When asked about Wight Shipyard Co environmental efforts, Charlie McCallum has said:  

"At Wight Shipyard, we are proud to say that we are always proactively working to not only meet, but exceed, environmental expectations. Earth Clipper, for example, is the first zero-emission hybrid electric ferry in the UK, providing quick and efficient travel for tourists and commuters across London and due to this, won an award for 'Best River Ferry'. This is just an example of the effort we are putting in to support the environment." 

Last October, the firm secured over £32 million in funding alongside several other Solent-based businesses in the Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle and infrastructure (ZEVI) competition. It was a crucial step in government efforts towards promoting global green shipping. 

Currently the firm is waiting for erection of their £6 million worth, brand-new marine hub in East Cowes. The Columbine Building will allow the Wight Shipyard to deliver next-generation high-speed ferries and provide more employment for the local community. 

According to Isle of Wight Radio, it will also be a centre for environmental stewardship and showcase the local efforts such as the recent reintroduction of the White-tailed Eagle or endangered oysters, which have been directly supported by the UKSA. 

In 2017, Isle of Wight College opened a £12 million specialist educational centre in Whippingham with the state-of-the-art equipment to teach a new generation of local marine engineers on the Isle of Wight and educate them about how the marine industry can directly contribute to the environment. 

Similar efforts have been seen with other educational institutions such as Cowes Enterprise College which started Maritime Futures for Key Stage 3 students. This program offers heritage lessons about the Isle of Wight maritime industry and science classes about marine conservation. 

All these local efforts directly foster positive marine citizenship in pupils and make them more connected with the local, coastal community as a whole which is often highlighted by the locals to be quite isolated. 

McCallum said that he hopes “the investment continues to allow local maritime businesses expansion opportunities. Which, in turn, will enable us to give back to the community by providing them with good work opportunities. This is particularly important to us on the Isle of Wight, as a lot of employment opportunities here are seasonal, meaning work tends to dry up in the winter.”

Given that Oxford has the highest proportion of students in England and Wales, accounting for 26.5% of the city's adult population, it is only fair that these students are included in and informed about any major changes. Based on my conversations with students, it is concerning to see that a significant portion of them are unaware of the upcoming traffic trials. A few of them expressed a negative stance towards this initiative. “I actually didn’t know about it until recently, which is weird ‘cause now that I know, I can’t stop seeing posters and posts about it everywhere.” Ally Al-Said says, a resident of Cowley Road and student at Oxford Brookes University. “It can be quite challenging to avoid feeling fatigued when it seems to have appeared unexpectedly.” The limited understanding of the traffic filter can be attributed to the low participation of younger generations in voting and political affairs. Political participation among young people in the UK is alarmingly low, as evidenced by the meagre 47% voter turnout in the 2019 General Election. 

Despite the seemingly discouraging statistics, climate action has emerged as a political approach that resonates strongly with young people. Groundwork UK conducted a study revealing that a significant number of individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 express a desire to participate in climate action. This aligns with the objectives of the traffic filters, which aim to address climate change and minimise air pollution in local areas. “Pretty sure that is one of the reasons I want to support the traffic filters. If I could assure that it is actually going to do what it says it will for the climate, I’m all for it.” Ally says. The goal is to shift away from relying on cars as the primary mode of transport in Oxford and instead promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling. 

Oxford has experienced a significant increase in cycling due to previous climate initiatives promoting alternative transport. Unfortunately, even as recently as February, a cyclist lost their life in a tragic accident involving a car in Kidlington. Councillor Katherine Miles, a Climate and Environment Panel member actively engaged in the Vision Zero initiative, expresses her sorrow on X, formerly Twitter: “Another tragedy. Our collective goal towards #VisionZero isn't enough. Action backed by resources are needed to realise this vision.” Vision Zero is an initiative to eliminate fatalities and severe injuries caused by road collisions. Vision Zero and the traffic filters align to enhance cyclist safety and alleviate traffic congestion, ultimately improving traffic safety in Oxford. “I have definitely considered biking instead of taking the bus everywhere, but then you hear about and see the memorials after cycling accidents, and being late everywhere because of the buses doesn’t seem as bad anymore.”

Many students I've spoken to have consistently brought up the bus system in Oxford as a significant concern. The students expressed a widespread lack of trust in the buses. “The buses are sh**, so I’d be happy if they got me to where I need to go on time for once, but it just doesn’t seem very likely, unfortunately.” Lainey (19), a student at Oxford Brookes says. When I then asked Ally about the infamous St. Clements traffic jam at rush hour he said: “The traffic filter on St. Clements is the most appealing to me because of that. I usually get the bus from Headington Campus home, but if it’s during rush hour, it can take me from half an hour to an hour instead of 10 minutes.” According to the Oxfordshire County Council, traffic filters enhance the speed and dependability of bus journeys.

Ally also expresses the concerns he and other residents of Cowley shared. “Me and my hairdresser were talking about it and she mentioned like how it affects her small business and other businesses in Cowley because a lot of people are affected by it.” Due to its location, there has been some opposition to the traffic filter initiative on Cowley Road. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of not implementing a traffic filter on Cowley Road, which runs parallel to St. Clements. The main worry is that the road, already bustling with activity, could become even more congested, potentially discouraging customers from visiting the numerous small businesses located on Cowley Road. According to Cowley Road-based businessman Clint Pugh, some customers have complained about the excessive amount of time it takes to travel down Cowley Road, leading them to reconsider visiting his business. 

As the traffic filter trials move forward and are set to begin at the end of this year, your feedback is not just welcomed; it's crucial. The Oxfordshire County Council is actively seeking your input as they monitor the filters to improve the initiative and ensure its sustainability. Your voice, as a student, can help shape the future of Oxford's transportation, making it more sustainable and student-friendly. Climate action is an optional pathway to get younger voters more involved, and your voice matters.

Indeed, a lot of our shopping right now happen online; marketplaces have made it easier for us. Growing up, younger generations like Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha are becoming the primary users of social media content. Social media platforms like TikTok have a great deal of power on individuals in the digital era when it comes to online product and business promotion, as well as influencing user’s opinions on fashion trends. But great power also comes with great responsibility, especially when promoting overconsumption in its content and pushing consumerism among children and teenagers. Trends, hauls, and unboxing videos are examples of content that influences children's perceptions of both themselves and the world around them. But what would happen if social media stopped encouraging excessive consumption?

Impact on children

The main issue is that social networks have ingrained themselves into our lives—including the lives of children—and there is little we can do about it. Kids are becoming accustomed to the constant exposure to internet content as they grow older. “Since they grew up in a setting where there was constantly a lot of material, today's kids are really harder to raise in this regard. They lessen their filter and demand its intake”. Yana Komarova, a former educational psychologist, says. According to Ofcom report at children media use, “Nine in ten children aged 12-17 were confident that they could recognise advertising online”. However, 42% of them were still certain that influencers only advocate for goods they actually love. “Children do not think as deeply as adults do; new items and outfits just have an emotional significance for them. Children's shopping for toys or clothes releases free, quick serotonin—the same kind of serotonin they release when they watch videos on TikTok”, says Yana. Due to age, they don’t think about consequences of excessive consumerism that can impact the environment and their future lives.

People's attention spans are gradually getting shorter to 15–30 second videos as a result of the rapid and easy availability to social media material that has fueled the rise of clip culture. Some have dubbed TikTok videos as a new kind of digital gambling or as "digital crack cocaine." Our brain becomes accustomed to the rapid and easy serotonin that these videos may supply, making it more difficult to obtain this serotonin from longer-term pursuits, like watching films. Time compression is only one example of how digital technologies surely affect the way our minds work. Plus, it gets worse when young brains are still growing. According to Komarova, "children who are not initially neurodivergent develop symptoms of ADHD due to excessive consumption of social media content from an early age. Children grow up with the expectation that all content should be bright and quick. Moreover, they still do not understand what they consume, this is the main problem”.

Impact on the environment

In case you're wondering how serious the overconsumption issue is, UNICEF has shown that if everyone consumed at the same rate as the United States, resources equivalent to five planets would be needed. Overproduction and overconsumption have an overall, worldwide influence on our environment. Not only does it impact pollution and global warming, but it also depletes the life support systems of our planet. It is now the main cause of the ecological crisis. According to the data presented by World Health Organisation, 24% of global deaths are linked to the environmental hazards. The prevalence of dangerous chemicals in food and common goods, rising air pollution, and an increase in waste can all be linked to the rise in illnesses including cancer, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.

Consequently, TikTok directly affects consumption levels. Social media's rise has accelerated the pace of fast fashion, with trends shifting more often than with each passing season. Big businesses like Amazon, Asos, SHEIN, and others create and promote micro-trends and popular aesthetics. These brands, whose products are mass produced and sold at low prices, do not guarantee ecological production and are thought to have a significant negative influence on the environment due to their low-cost manufacture techniques and massive waste output. Not to mention the terrible working conditions and poor pay they offer their employees.

Thoughtful consumption should become an integral part of our lives, especially in the face of subliminal social media advertising. The vice president of the Oxford Brookes community encourages students to diversify their free time in order to reduce stress: "Social media content can increase yours anxiety, so it shouldn't be viewed as leisure activity of any sort. Visit our nearby charity stores if you'd like to go shopping! It's a practical and creative way to get new clothes, and it's also entertaining to look for things”. The primary issue is that children now are just as much participants in this capitalist economy as adults. They are nonetheless the primary targets of the majority of internet marketing initiatives despite being dependant on their parents sources of revenue. And their minds are still those of children. A small percentage of children actually comprehend the true worth of material objects.

Photo taken by Zachary Morris

With summer holidays just around the corner you might be scrolling through holiday booking sites longing for the release of a tropical beach or exotic city break. But while you pine for your next break from work or education the planet itself could suffer from the choices you make.

At the end of last year, the leaders of the world gathered in Dubai at the 28^th annual United Nations climate meeting (COP28) to discuss how we as nations are tackling the issues of climate change. While they outline plans to make changes on international levels some key points emerged that outline ways that we as holiday makers and world travellers can reduce our personal carbon footprint. Unsurprisingly air travel accounts for the largest amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, reaching levels close to 200 grams per passenger for every kilometre travelled on long hall flights. Further figures from COP28 show that travelling by rail accounts for much less CO2 emissions, only reaching 41 grams per passenger per kilometre travelled.

With that in mind making more educated decisions on mode of transport can make a massive difference. But we can take this further. For many of us the allure of international travel springs from a desire to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities and towns we live in. For TikTok travel blogger Emily Charlie this was all to true, remarking on her own travels she had this to say,

“As a TikTok travel blogger I have always felt pressured to show people the most exotic destinations. As a result, I flew to seven different countries last year.”

Looking too far off lands for escape may be the obvious answer but as Emily says,

“I also need to consider my personal impact on the environment. Can I find better ways to travel and encourage my followers to do the same.”

So, what do we do? How can we scratch the travel itch while still reducing our carbon footprint? Well simple changes are the very first step. Choosing to stay in the British Isles is a great start and taking a train or coach will further reduce your impact on the environment. Now what of your digs? Where will you be staying? Opting for an Airbnb over a traditional hotel will massively help the environment. A report published by Cleantech Group shows that Airbnb users in Europe saved enough water to fill 9000 Olympic swimming pools.

But that’s not all. Taking this even further, many accommodations are becoming specialist eco-stays, opting for green energy supplies, sustainable materials and mouth-watering veggie and vegan menus. The Bull Inn, Totnes is just one of many locations that make it their mission to be ethical and sustainable. Located just south of the Dartmoor National Park the Bull Inn is ideally placed for travellers to experience stunning walks along Devon’s iconic coastlines.

Photo taken by Zachary Morris

Another brilliantly environmentally conscious accommodation is the High Tren House residential retreat centre. Positioned deep in the North Yorkshire Dales National Park, this site is offers stunning landscapes and even links to Hollywood. The Head Chef, Joshua, told me about his life after moving from the South of England to North Yorkshire, stating that “There's lots of people who probably never leave the big cities, and possibly the South of England. That don't realize that there's places that are comparable with bits of Iceland or Norway.”

He also described the “Malham Cove, which is just a large natural limestone cliff side.” That has become popular with Harry Potter fans since it was included in the Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 1 film. In addition to this there are “2 waterfalls” in the area “that run down the same stream that are very different to each other one called Gordale Scar, and one called Janice Foss.” Gordale Scar is the second point of interest with links to Hollywood. Featured in the hit Netflix series The Witcher, giving this area even more artistic merit.

While all of that is lovely, we needed to get down to the serious stuff, asking Joshua how he and his company work to reduce their carbon footprint he had this to say, “all of the food that is possible to be brought locally is. A surprising amount of fruit and vegetables and things can be obtained from locally grown sources.” He went on to describe how they also get their meat, poultry and most importantly beer comes from local farms and breweries. Therefore, reducing the CO2 production from transportation and shipping. High Tren House also boasts a natural clean water spring that supplies the whole site with fresh, clean water.

Having stayed there myself for a couple nights I can say it was an amazing trip, filled with good food and stunning views. But most importantly a clear conscience, knowing by spending my holiday there rather than abroad I positively impacted my carbon footprint. And on his day off Joshua took me on an amazing walk to see the stunning landscapes.    

Photo taken by Zachary Morris

@xerxes1959 @xerxes1959 ♬ original sound - 🗿

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(original video above)

Like the doom scrolling slaves we are, today, the FYP and its short vibrant videos depicting far flung destinations have us in a chokehold. We no longer chose where we want to go on holiday instead handing that decision over to the algorithm. The influence of TikTok in choosing where we go on holiday is undeniable, but just how bad are its favourite destinations coping with the influx of so called “TikTok tourists”.

Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷

Spoiler alert: They’re not coping well.

This idillic paradise is the crowing jewel of Greece. With it’s iconic white and blue buildings huddled together on the side of an active volcano it is a private town boasting incredible culture, unique Airbnbs and five star hotels and restaurants.

Unfortunately, the amount of people appreciating Santorini for these things has significantly increased, making the once private town a hubbub of TikTok activity. The island’s 15,000 residents see around 2 million selfie stick wielding visitors yearly.

@kamilashamel#santorini #fyp #fypシ #greece

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Overcrowding on the island has produced another problem as many vloggers are beginning to advertise the surrounding smaller islands like Paros and Milos as a private alternative escape to the hustle and bustle of Santorini.

Olden, Norway 🇳🇴

Yeah we’d never heard of it either, but this picturesque snow covered town nestled deep into the Norwegian fjords lets in over 100 cruise ships every year.

Andrew Wolverson, Captain of Iona, has mixed feelings about TikTok tourism in Olden.

“I think we’re really pushing (Olden) to its capacity really because this is the largest register British vessel. The ships are getting very big and ports aren’t moving at the same rate in terms of expansion”

However, despite his concerns Andrew was quite to correct his statement, “Ships like this carry about 7000 people, they’re big but they’re running at about 95% capacity. It’s very different to say, one driver in a car, it’s far more efficient. You’ve also got to remember without cruise ships Olden would collapse. It’s their only industry here”.

This fact certainly becomes evident when you arrive in Olden and see its so called city centre which was built 2 years ago.

It features a small grocery store and the obligatory key ring and Norway hoodie shop. Locals told me both stores are owned by the same Slovakian businessman. And that’s it. Not a lot to entertain 7000 mostly British tourists who I thought would be taking pictures in peoples’ backyards and harassing locals for entertainment.

Though as it happened I was the only one harassing the locals when I spotted a local woman clearing leaves in her garden and asked her for an interview. Would you like to stop tourism here? “No it’s ok” the woman replied Norweiganly “I have lived her 38 years. Last year many many people came in ships but they are friendly. I like that people come here, it means where I live is beautiful so many people come to see it.”

Machu Pichu, Peru 🇵🇪

This TikTok Tourism hotspot has already been reduced to ruins but a new problem is emerging.

Picture the scene. You’re hiking in the Peruvian mountains, anticipating the moment you’ll first lay eyes on the famous Incan ruins. It’s been 4 days and the bugs have stopped biting you out of pity, your legs are swollen and the air is thin when suddenly you see it.

3 brightly coloured rain coats lying on grass and 50 other tourists all looking out at the foggiest wonder of the world.

@abbie.abroadthe expectation vs reality of machu picchu. this amazing modern wonder of the world was such a delight to see but waking up at 3am after hiking for 4 days, then walking another 2 hours only to have to wait 3 hours for the clouds to clear was quite strenuous. videos on the inca trail incoming… #fyp #travel #traveltiktok #peru #southamerica #machupicchu #wonder #world #adventure #hike #expectation #vs #reality #incatrail

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Although the main problem here is the Peruvian climate obscuring the view, I imagine there’s nothing more frustrating than knowing even if the weather was perfectly clear there’d still be 200 tourists getting in the way of you and your spiritual journey to the Andes.

El Nido, Phillipines 🇵🇭

The power of TikTok tourism is no more evident than in El Nido where a record breaking 500,000 visitors flocked to the pristine island in 2023, a 90% increase from the previous year. Attractions like the so called ‘Secret Lagoon’ have been exposed forever.

@ericphamsjIs it because Philippines 🇵🇭 is so popular? Such a beautiful country with many islands! #fyp #elnido #elnidopalawan #elnidopalawanphilippines #philippines #traveltiktok #travel #traveltok #behindthescenes #expectationvreality #instagramvsreality

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With boats and tourists polluting the natural beaches in El Nido demand is high. The problem for tourism here, like many places in south east asia is the lack of water, electricity and infrastructure required to deal with so many tourists. Whilst the island continues to lean on tourism the 50,000 people living there permiently will continue to be exposed to arrogant and intrepid backpackers looking for the newest ‘gap yar’ experience.

Venice, Italy 🇮🇹

Having banned large cruise ships in 2021, Venetians have fallen out of love with tourism with some locals describing politicians’ view of the town as an ‘industria estrattiva’, a mine from which to extract money.

The cost of living and renting in Venice has skyrocketed as the local economy booms from tourism. The recent TikTok trend is visiting the canal town in its off season in October as well in an effect to beat the crowds.

Elsewhere online however the sentiment is different with holidayers being encouraged to visit other similar towns such as Trieste, in an effort to take Venice out of the spotlight.

With environmental concerns taking centre stage in the challenges facing society, the preservation of green spaces has become paramount in fighting the impacts of global warming. However, the mental health benefits of immersing oneself in these natural havens often go unnoticed, despite their association with reduced risks of serious mental illness.

Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics reveal that access to green spaces remains limited, leaving a significant portion of households, especially in London, without a garden.

Development projects frequently prioritize corporate interests over the preservation of ecological and historical significance. This has resulted in the loss of precious wildlife and heritage, as witnessed in my local area when a warehouse was erected on land housing a significant neolithic henge.

Join me as I explore the positive impacts of these invaluable spaces while also shedding light on the threat they face:

The controversial death of an endangered Mexican Gray Wolf named 'Rusty' for allegedly killing cattle caused a stir on social media. The Service quietly authorised the killing on March 29th, which also marked the 25th anniversary of Mexican wolves returning to the wild.

Unfortunately, these shootings have no legal consequences if wolves are considered a nuisance to domestic animals — creating conflict between wildlife advocates who want to protect endangered wolves and farmers trying to protect their animals from ‘costly predators’.

The truth is far from this assumption, as the conservation of these predators plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

How can agriculture contribute to the targeting of predators?

Agriculture indirectly contributes to the targeting of predators such as wolves in a few ways. The most common is loss and fragmentation of habitat.

As more land is converted for agriculture, it can displace and fragment the natural habitats of predators, making it more difficult for them to find food and shelter. This process can increase conflicts between predators and farmers, as predators may be forced to prey on domestic animals when their natural prey is scarce.

Agricultural practices can also directly target predators. For example, some farmers may use lethal methods such as trapping, shooting, or poisoning to control predator populations. This can have negative consequences, not only for the targeted predators but also for other non-target species that may accidentally ingest the poison or get caught in traps.

The impact of predator killings on wildlife

Recently, three conservation groups sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services’ over their ‘predator killing program’ in Montana, which kills or removes native predators in the state. This program recently approved new predator control efforts, which according to the conservation groups, are not based on science and leave the issue largely unregulated.

According to the Wildlife Services, a division of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), 1.75 million animals were killed/euthanised in 2021 in the US alone.

The number of wild animals killed has remained steady, with an average of 2.09 million animals killed every year.

Those numbers include thousands of predators, such as bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks, cougars, and wolves — the vast majority of which were killed intentionally, despite last year wolves being listed once again as endangered in most of the US.

Killing predators leads to more conflict and deaths

The killing of carnivores like wolves and coyotes, supposedly to benefit the farming industry, might result in the opposite of the intended effect, ultimately leading to more conflicts and deaths.

According to the Humane Society, ‘the killing of coyotes does not reduce coyote populations’. When aggressively controlled, coyotes can increase their reproductive rate by breeding earlier and having larger litters, with a higher survival rate among the young.

Furthermore, the most common devices used to capture coyotes are cruel and inhumane. In places like Ottawa, there have been reports of coyotes missing a front paw, or with a soft-catch device on their leg.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services report issued in January 2021 suggested that the killing of wolves was unnecessary if the right measures were taken responsibly. Wolves tend to be attracted by “poorly buried” livestock, and according to the report, there was no depredation at farms with adequate carcass disposal.

Other studies suggest, that the killing of wolves ends up triggering more depredation activity and depredation was up to 3.5 times higher in zones where the shootings took place.

One of the main reasons given for the increase is that killing one or both alpha wolves upsets the group dynamics — pups are unable to hunt alone, resulting in older siblings turning to easier meals.

Disastrous for the entire ecosystem

Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. Agriculture has been identified as the primary threat to 86% of species at risk of extinction.

The place of wolves as the top predator in the food chain contributes to a richer animal and plant life. According to Michelle Lute, the Project Coyote Carnivore Conservation director, ‘apex predators influence every level of the food web, increase species from beavers to birds and even create healthy heterogeneity in soil nutrients’.

So why isn’t the US government doing something to stop it?

In the US, compensation totalling tens of thousands of dollars has been paid to farmers from a state fund that pays for wolf and coyotes losses.

It can be expected that these killings will likely continue as long as farms get paid for losses. The government currently kills at least 50,000 coyotes a year, using taxpayer money, meaning that many citizens are contributing without their knowledge or approval.

A global issue

The killing of predators, such as wolves, continues to be an issue in other places around the world. In places like Germany, farmers, conservationists and politicians are calling for a relaxation of rules over when wolves, strictly protected under EU law, can be shot. Meanwhile, The Swedish Parliament is also lobbying the European Union to remove wolves and bears from its list of species in need of protection.

The use of non-lethal methods to protect livestock is more cost-effective, less cruel, and more efficacious than killing native carnivores.

Another approach is to implement wildlife-friendly and regenerative farming practices that promote habitat restoration and connectivity. This can include leaving land areas of land uncultivated to provide habitat for wildlife.

It is time to stop conducting damaging practices in the guise of farmed animal protection when the reality shows that only a few benefit from it. By working together to protect predator species and their habitats, we can create a more sustainable future for agriculture and wildlife alike.

@daniv_hernandez#wolves #coyotes #conservation #endangeredspecies #environmentalprotection

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Five years ago, at the SS18 London Fashion Week, Tyler Cowan, observed nuances seen between catwalk subversion and upcycling fashion. His brand, Youth Club Inc, reacted to this revolt of fashion show normality. Now in 2023, we'll look at how brands like his attract young people to think sustainably. 

In the spirit of covid-19, Tyler and I sat down for a Zoom call to talk about his USP, Eco-Punk. As Creative Director and CEO of own his brand, Tyler explains he makes clothes for the “naughty kids, those cheeky boys who, you know, had to go to the youth club because otherwise, they'd be spray painting or smoking weed.”

Tyler himself reflects a “don’t give a fuck” and always “looking cool” attitude found within the punk movement of the 70s. But what became clear in this interview is that his passion and intentions are directed toward saving the planet.

How did you make the connection between recycled clothing and punk culture, and do you think Eco-punk is a growing genre of fashion?

Tyler: A lot of what you see in original punk, like Vivienne Westwood, Sex Pistols, you know, all of those subgroups, was actually that they were already upcycling. They were already focused on sustainability. So, it's interesting that this kind of new form of punk style called eco-punk has popped up because punk was already always about sustainability.

It was always about fighting against the established culture that was just mass consumerism. It was just about taking, you know, taking and taking and taking, you know, and basically consuming for the individual. You know, it's like, I want more of this. Whereas Punk was much more about let's share, let's reuse, let's kind of, you know, fight, fight the big corporate system.

Youth Club Inc is sustainable, what does that term mean for you and your design practice?

When I talk about Youth Club Incorporated, we're trying to, rather than we're trying to embrace and connect punk with upcycling or punk with sustainability, we're trying to re-bridge punk with sustainability. That's the word we like to use because it was already there. It's just that a lot of big designer brands now try and emulate punk, but they're mass-producing it. They're producing it with brand new materials, brand new manufacturing plants, they're not using any form of sustainable products. And the whole idea of the ethos of Youth Club Inc is basically forever young, forever lasting, ever upcycling. That is our quote.

You mentioned that the idea for Youth Club Inc started at London Fashion Week, can you walk us through what happened?

So, I was going to Fashion Week to do this documentary and I didn't have anything interesting to wear so my mother suggested Just grab whatever T-shirts you have in the house. She actually grabbed some really rare like Vivienne Westwood and some other kind of like, you know old punk designers and we basically made a pair of custom patchwork jeans.

They were my favourite jeans, but they were falling apart. I was like, I cannot let these jeans go. We turned these jeans into...you know, piece of art basically. And I wore it to Fashion Week and people could not stop asking, where did you get those jeans?

Do you think that young people are starting to connect their fashion with being sustainable and what is the catalyst for that connection?

Yeah, I think that now that Gen Z has kind of grown up to an age where we can really understand what's going on in the world, that we can understand the politics, the economics, the environmental issues, we're really looking at the great, the bigger picture.

Our generation have very, very quickly seen, as we've grown into our early 20s, that we're going to actually be the ones digging up the landfills and having to sort through all those materials and reuse them.

How do you gain visibility for your brand in such a competitive landscape?

We look at trends that are at the top, that are being worn by the highest of the highs, you know, and try and predict what is coming next. And then we produce garments that are going to be, you know, more intense, more catching, more mind-blowing than what is currently out there.

Then when we get ASAP Mob and The 1975 wearing them, brands like Balenciaga will hopefully see that these artists, that their own influences. Are choosing us over them because of sustainability. We're putting the power into the artist's hands rather than it being in the brand's hands.

How do you think we can combat the fear of recycled clothing? Because I know a lot of people that get put off by the fact that it's second-hand materials.  

Our brand is focused on making punk clothing. So, there's a lot of brands that, you know when you buy their sustainable products, and I have a real problem with this, they focus on making the product about being sustainable. That scares a lot of consumers.

People don't want to buy clothes that have a kind of, you know, they don't want to buy clothes that have a heavy message attached to them. Our clothes, basically, they look punk, and yes, someone will walk up to you and say are you punk? It's your choice to say, you know, I'm punk, but these are sustainable.

To explore the angle from a consumer's side I decided to anonymously interview an Oxford Brookes student to see what they think about sustainability in the fashion industry.

In what ways are you sustainable with your choices?

I don’t think I’m very sustainable in my choices just because I don’t think I care enough to make an actual action about it. But I do like the idea of being sustainable at least and if more fashion brands could be sustainable that would be great.

Do you think that if sustainable fashion brands promote the aesthetic of their clothing before the fact that it’s recycled, are people more likely to buy it?

If sustainable fashion brands advertised the way their clothes look and the appeal of their clothing over the sustainability but also be sustainable, they would make great businesses and do much better than the companies that don’t do that.

 Please watch my short video!

Source: Unsplash

Now or Never

Climate Change has been an issue for as long as most of us can remember, but why is it so important to take action now than ever before?

On the 20^th of March, the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Hoesung Lee, stated in the IPCC press release that “mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits. This Synthesis Report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that, if we act now, we can still secure a liveable, sustainable future for all.”

The IPCC’s Synthesis Report emphasises how we need to take action now as greenhouse gases continue to rise, pushing the world to the brink of irreversible damage.

According to the IPCC, more than 3 billion people currently reside in “highly vulnerable “ regions to climate change. Half of the world's population now faces severe water scarcity for at least some of the year. The researchers cautioned that in many places, we have already reached the point where we cannot adjust to such drastic changes and that weather extremes across Africa, Asia, North, Central, and South America, as well as the South Pacific, are increasingly pushing displacement.

Source: Guardian Graphic, Met Office

The Student/Eco-friendly Lifestyle

With scientists issuing a “final warning”, according to the IPCC’s Synthesis Report, what can we do as individuals to do our bit to support the environment? Here are some student-friendly suggestions:

Food

A change in diet would be beneficial for lowering greenhouse gases because agriculture accounts for over a quarter of all greenhouse gases. This article makes the following recommendations:

·       Cheaper meat substitutes that are high in protein, for example, chickpeas.

·       Long-lasting dairy alternatives like oat milk.

·       Preparing meals together with friends to cut down on waste.

Fashion

Plastic fibres are causing pollution in the oceans, wastewater, poisonous dyes, and the underpayment of labour. Although the environmental costs of fast fashion are increasing, scientists argue there is another way: a circular economy for textiles. Here are some cheap and efficient suggestions

·       Second-hand clothes, i.e., Depop or Vinted

·       Charity Shopping and donating old clothes

·       Conducting background research on the Sustainability of the brand

·       Clothes share, either with friends or online

Transport

Walking or cycling are ways in which a student can also implement more exercise into their daily routine, as well as being more eco-friendly. Taking public transport, such as buses and trains, also helps reduce CO2 emissions and is a better alternative to using a car.

Using Available Resources on University Campuses

·       Correct use of Recycling bins

·       Water fountains

·       Sustainable food available on campus

Source: Charlotte Rice, Oxford Brookes University

Everyday Life

The cost-of-living crisis has caused people to become more aware of their energy usage. For students on a budget, it is hugely important to find ways in which to conserve energy. This could include using the eco setting on your washing machine or dishwasher and being conscious of heating use.

Joining in

Most universities provide ample opportunities for you to get involved with combatting the Climate Crisis. Whether it is joining a society or being part of a campaign supporting the environment.

In a questionnaire distributed amongst Oxford Brookes students, in which there were 58 responses, students were asked a variety of questions about Climate Change. The survey results showed that although 80.4% of students are concerned about climate change, only some are aware of the opportunities Oxford Brookes offers to address the issue.

From this data, we can see how important it is to encourage students to become more involved with supporting the environment. Whether it is a case of creating more opportunities for students at university or just marketing them better indicates how significant it is to pay more attention to student involvement in supporting the environment.

Sustainable Opportunities

Sustainability is slowly becoming integrated into companies and businesses, creating more job opportunities for the foreseeable future. An online resource called Voiz Academy offers education and training on net-zero, sustainability, and climate action. Voiz stands for Voices of Gen Z and is a new organisation founded in 2020 by Diego Espinosa and Yvonne Espinosa.

In an interview with the Director of Voiz Academy’s ESG Programs, Ben Hillier states that Voiz Academy is “a mission-allied company that creates training programs, specifically for young people to learn about environmental issues. But more specifically, it’s about them gaining skills that will help them land jobs in the climate and space and excel in those jobs.”

Ben Hillier also indicates that the “main reason why it’s incredibly important for students is because we are in a very interesting kind of generational situation whereby, we’re probably the only generation that really is facing the kind of cross point where we have to live through all of the climate issues that have been created by generations before us.”

Organisations and platforms such as these create job opportunities for young people, which could encourage students to become more interested in the environment. Voiz Academy indicates on their website the importance of inspiring the younger generation to become more conscious of the Climate Crisis and how they can support it whilst simultaneously helping themselves and forming successful futures.

Blockbuster movies and TV shows have always been an enormous part of our cultural zeitgeist, though in recent years, they’ve also become powerful tools in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. From James Cameron’s eco-epic, Avatar, to the apocalyptic adventure series, The Last of Us, Hollywood has begun using the power of popular culture to drive home the message of climate change, and the urgent need for more sustainable practices.

Avatar (2009)

By portraying the Na'vi living in harmony with their surroundings, Cameron highlights the unification of all living things and the importance of preserving our planet's ecosystems. The movie's underlying message of environmental conservation is clear: if we continue to exploit and destroy our planet's natural resources, we will ultimately be the ones who suffer the consequences…

Filmmaker Dr Duncan Reekie also points out that this cultural shift has led to a reevaluation of traditional Hollywood tropes, such as the portrayal of nature. He asserts that ‘If we continue to sort of abuse nature, nature will rise up against us and destroy us’. He raises that films Avatar or even films such as WALL-E have ‘the greatest effect on kids as they’re growing up, it plants the kind of radical seed in them.’

Snowpiercer (2013)

In similar ways, the post-apocalyptic thriller Snowpiercer uses its bleak, dystopian setting to underscore the dire consequences of climate change. Picture a world where the snow never melts, the sun never shines, and humanity is trapped in a never-ending train, hurling through a frozen land of waste. This is the setting for Snowpiercer.

The film follows the survivors of a failed global warming experiment as they struggle to survive on a never-ending train. Its main premise, that the world has become so inhospitable that humanity is forced to live on a never-ending train, is a powerful metaphor for the precariousness of our planet’s future. It acts as a stark reminder that if we don't take action to address climate change, we could find ourselves living in a world where such desperate measures are necessary.

The Last of Us (2023)

But it’s not just movies that are driving the conversation around climate change. TV shows like The Last of Us are also playing a major role in promoting eco-consciousness and sustainability. The show is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been eradicated by a deadly virus, leaving behind a wasteland conquered by zombie-like creatures.

Against this backdrop, we follow the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors who must navigate the dangers of this new world while constantly searching for basic human needs: food, water, and shelter.

What makes The Last of Us stand out is its emphasis on sustainability and responsible resource management. In this world, resources are few, and every decision the characters make has an impact on their chances of survival. As such, the show provides a vivid depiction of the importance of preserving our planet's natural resources and finding sustainable solutions to the problems we face. 

As eco-consciousness becomes more and more prevalent in popular culture, it is having a noticeable impact on the entertainment industry. Jake Wolfe, who works for EcoSet, a company that provides sustainable solutions for film and TV productions, introduces the idea of ‘using recycled materials and minimising waste’. The reason for this shift, according to Wolfe, ‘is due to an increased public awareness’.

‘By avoiding disposability in all departments, using metrics to track waste management, and actively recycling and composting’ EcoSet are capable of bringing eco-friendly options to film creators without sacrificing entertainment value.

Films like Avatar have helped to shift the narrative towards a more respectful and sustainable relationship with the environment. The entertainment industry is now making efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote more sustainable practices in response to this growing eco-consciousness.

As our world faces the challenges of climate change, it's crucial that we find new and creative ways to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. Enter pop culture! Films and TV series that focus on eco-friendly themes have the power to inspire us to take action by appreciating our planet’s beauty.

The entertainment industry has already started to make progress towards sustainability, but there is still more to be done. We all have a role to play in protecting the environment. Starting with simple changes in our daily lives, like using less plastic, conserving water, and recycling, we can make a positive impact. We can also support companies that prioritise sustainability and advocate for policies that protect the planet.

As consumers, we also have the power to demand more eco-conscious productions and support companies that prioritise sustainability. By working together, we can create a world where sustainability is a priority, and protect our planet for generations to come…