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A Greener Approach to the Traditional Christmas Dinner

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  A Greener Approach to the Traditional Christmas Dinner Christmas dinner is one of those moments where tradition, nostalgia and comfort food collide. Roast potatoes must crunch just right, gravy must be plentiful, and someone will inevitably ask whether Brussels sprouts are meant to squeak. But Christmas is also one of the most resource-intensive meals of the year. From imported ingredients and energy-hungry ovens to food waste and disposable decorations, the environmental footprint of the festive feast is larger than many people realise. The good news? You can make meaningful improvements without turning Christmas into a joyless exercise in self-denial. Here’s how to keep the spirit of Christmas while lightening its environmental load. Rethinking the Centrepiece For many households, turkey is non-negotiable. If that’s the case, choosing free-range, UK-reared turkey with strong welfare standards already reduces impact compared with cheaper, intensively farmed alternatives....
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2025’s AI Boom Came With a Hidden Environmental Cost

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  2025’s AI Boom Came With a Hidden Environmental Cost Artificial intelligence had a spectacular year in 2025. Faster models. Smarter assistants. AI everywhere — from education and healthcare to marketing and music. But while the tech headlines celebrated innovation, a quieter story emerged in the background: AI’s rapidly growing carbon and water footprint . Recent research has shown that the explosive growth of large AI models in 2025 drove significant increases in CO₂ emissions and water use , largely due to the energy demands of data centres that train and run these systems. Why AI Uses So Much Energy Training modern AI models requires: Vast data centres running continuously Thousands of high-performance GPUs Massive cooling systems to prevent overheating All of this consumes electricity — and in many regions, that electricity still comes from fossil fuels . Even once trained, AI models continue to draw power every time they are queried. As AI tools become embe...
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The EU Just Weakened Its Own Green Rules – And That Should Worry Us All

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  The EU Just Weakened Its Own Green Rules – And That Should Worry Us All This week, the European Parliament approved a major rollback of the EU’s flagship sustainability reporting and corporate due-diligence rules. It didn’t make many headlines. It probably should have. The changes dramatically reduce the number of companies required to report on environmental damage, human rights abuses, and supply-chain harm . Even more concerning, they strip out plans to harmonise access to justice across member states , making it harder for affected communities to hold companies to account. In short: fewer companies covered, weaker oversight, and less legal protection for people and the planet. What was supposed to happen? The original laws were designed to: Require large companies to report honestly on their environmental and social impacts Hold businesses responsible for human rights abuses and ecological damage in their supply chains Create consistent legal routes across the E...
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Still Burning: When Will the Age of Fossil Fuels Actually End (and What Can You Do About It?)

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  Still Burning: When Will the Age of Fossil Fuels Actually End (and What Can You Do About It?) Governments dither. Oil giants drill. But change can still start at your front door. ⏳ The Clock Is Ticking. Loudly. We’ve known for decades that fossil fuels are the main driver of climate change. And yet… the coal chugs on, the oil keeps flowing, and natural gas is still branded “clean” in some circles. While world leaders shake hands at summits and sign pledges with increasingly distant targets, emissions continue to rise. The age of fossil fuels is like your least favourite dinner guest — long overstayed and increasingly toxic. Why the Delay? Despite the science being clear: Fossil fuel subsidies still amount to trillions globally Many climate pledges are non-binding or delayed until 2050 or later Countries fear economic instability or political backlash from a rapid transition Fossil fuel lobbies are… not shy And all the while, extreme weather events ar...
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From Bouquets to Broccoli: How Climate Change Is Reshaping Our Gardens

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  From Bouquets to Broccoli: How Climate Change Is Reshaping Our Gardens The RHS predicts a 2026 filled with tabletop vegetables and drought-hardy blooms. 🌱 The Climate-Resilient Gardener: Coming Soon to a Patio Near You The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has spoken, and it's less “roses and romance” and more “radishes on your windowsill.” Their latest top trend predictions for 2026 show a significant pivot in UK gardening habits — driven not by fashion, but by climate breakdown . 🔮 RHS Plant Trend Predictions for 2026 The key forecast? Green-fingered Britons will be: Swapping cut flower bouquets for edible houseplants Embracing compact food-growing – think herbs on the windowsill , tomatoes in buckets , and even dwarf aubergines on the dining table Selecting heat- and drought-resistant species to withstand more erratic weather patterns “The future gardener isn’t just pruning roses — they’re prepping dinner on the windowsill.” ☀️ Why the Shift? Be...
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Looking for a Greener Holiday: How to Relax Without Wrecking the Planet

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  Looking for a Greener Holiday: How to Relax Without Wrecking the Planet ✈️ Jetting Off? Or Just Jet-Lagged Thinking? As the holiday season approaches, many of us are planning a well-deserved break. But before you click “Book Now” on that long-haul flight to somewhere sunny, it’s worth asking: Can we holiday without harming the planet? Spoiler: Yes — and no, it doesn’t mean sleeping in a tent while chewing on organic lentils (unless that’s your thing). 🌍 The Problem with Traditional Holidays Let’s face it, the carbon footprint of a standard holiday can be massive: ✈️ Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities individuals can do 🏨 Hotels often have high energy use (hello, 24/7 air con) 🌴 Resorts can drain water and resources from already stressed local environments So what’s a weary eco-warrior to do? ✅ Greener Holiday Choices That Still Feel Like a Treat Here are some ways to have fun and protect the planet: 🚆 Take the Train Try a scenic...
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Paris, Ten Years On: Climate Promises, Progress, and the Path Ahead

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  Paris, Ten Years On: Climate Promises, Progress, and the Path Ahead 🎂 Ten Years Since Paris — So, Did It Work? In December 2015, nearly every country on Earth gathered in Paris and said: “We’ll try to stop frying the planet.” Ten years on, it’s tempting to roll our eyes. Emissions are still rising. 1.5°C warming is now a lived reality. Oil giants are raking in record profits. But that’s only half the story. ✅ What the Paris Agreement Did Achieve It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t binding. But let’s give credit where it’s due. Here’s what has changed in 10 years: 🌐 Universal commitment : 195 countries signed. That’s unprecedented. 🧮 Climate accounting : Most nations now track and report emissions. 📉 Peak coal : Global coal use is slowing. Investment has shifted. ☀️ Renewables boom : Wind and solar are now cheaper than fossil fuels in most places. 🚗 EV revolution : Nearly every carmaker now has a net-zero roadmap. 🏢 Net Zero is mainstream ...
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