It’s been a busy week for politics, both in the UK and globally, with plenty of reminders of why the fight for climate action matters.
Labour held Holborn and St Pancras in the by-election, while the Conservative Party conference offered another bewildering display of climate denial. In Brazil, Flávio Bolsonaro’s advance in the first round of elections has raised concerns for climate campaigners, while Spain faces fresh political uncertainty following Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call a snap election.
This week also marked three years since the Hamas attacks of 7 October and the devastating war in Gaza that followed. As people continue to take to the streets, it’s important to remember that there must be space to mourn every life lost.
That sinking feeling
Greenpeace volunteers have been out in London ahead of the by-election and in Birmingham during Conservative Party conference, challenging the growing influence of climate denial in British politics.
As the Tories mounted a full-throated attack on net zero and environmental protections, new Greenpeace analysis found that 68% of Conservative seats in England contain homes at risk of subsidence, with potentially significant consequences for insurance costs. What good is being the party of homeownership if those homes are sinking into the ground?
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that with the Holborn and St Pancras by-election now out of the way and the threat from the Greens seemingly waning, the government may finally reveal its thinking on granting new drilling licenses at Jackdaw and Rosebank. We think it would be a mistake for Labour to interpret that as an indication from voters to grant the licences. And so does their newly elected MP. There’ll be an environmental and political price to pay.
Campaigning that makes a difference
Our investigative team at Unearthed revealed that persistent ‘forever chemicals’ have been detected in almost every river and groundwater sample tested in England, raising further questions about the protection of our waterways.
There was also welcome news from Spain, where Greenpeace activists were acquitted following a prosecution linked to peaceful protest. It’s an important victory for the right to take action.
What we’re watching
Beyond Westminster, a potentially landmark legal case in Boulder, Colorado, is testing whether fossil fuel companies can be held financially responsible for climate damages. It’s another reminder that accountability for the climate crisis is increasingly being fought for in courtrooms as well as through politics.
In the arts, a look back at the powerful work women artists have created in response to sexual violence is a reminder of the role creativity can play in challenging injustice. Meanwhile, protests in India are putting electoral reform firmly on the agenda. And fans of Demon Copperhead (like us) have Barbara Kingsolver’s new book to look forward to.
From climate accountability to democratic rights and the power of art, there’s plenty to keep us pushing for change. And we’ll keep doing exactly that.
Will