A non-renewable energy resource formed from buried organic matter; fuels transport, heat, and electricity.
A wave of heat and wildfires across Europe and beyond has accelerated, prompting evacuations and sparking political debate on climate policy. Readers are updated on the latest developments, including shifting opinions, policy responses, and the urgent need for adaptation alongside emission cuts.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
Iran and Oman have approached a provisional arrangement to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran has set new conditions — including compensation and an end to attacks — and Iran's Revolutionary Guards have said the strait will stay closed until Washington meets those demands. Attacks on commercial vessels and rising oil prices have followed.
The UK has endured a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales. Health alerts remain in place as drought conditions deepen, with millions under hosepipe bans and reservoirs running low. Forecasters warn the heat could sustain into the week, while authorities prepare extreme heat measures and monitor infrastructure strain.
A new WMO bulletin reports that climate-linked wildfires and rising temperatures are intensifying air pollution, raising ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels. The resulting health impacts include COPD hospitalisations and asthma attacks, with a feedback loop accelerating warming.
Bloomberg reports that the Trump administration has rolled back climate data and tools from federal websites as part of a broader deregulatory push, potentially increasing corporate and research uncertainty about environmental risks. The move follows earlier steps to reduce protections for water bodies and emissions rules, and experts warn the changes will erode decision-making resources for businesses and policymakers.
Bristol City Council has updated its advertising policy to ban ads for fossil fuels, non‑electric cars and fast fashion across council‑owned spaces such as bus stops, billboards and digital screens. The move follows a broader review of promoting polluting products and aims to shift public advertising toward sustainable alternatives.
The Brazilian election is entering a decisive phase as legal battles and foreign interference concerns escalate. Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro lead a closely watched race ahead of the October runoff, with the judiciary and international pressures shaping public trust and policy direction.