Latest news with #RichardThompson
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Global plastic treaty negotiations: What's at stake in Geneva
What to expect INC-5.2 is the longest session yet. A 10 full negotiating days, organised into four contact groups clustered around contentious articles (production, chemicals, finance, and governance), with a legal drafting group charged with cleaning the text for final plenary adoption on August 14. Delegates will also hammer out the roadmap to the DipCon and sketch the work programme leading up to the first COP — guidance that countries will need to translate treaty obligations into national law once the agreement enters into force. More than 70 ministers are expected to arrive mid-session to close political gaps, but unresolved Rules of Procedure — including how to settle disputes if consensus collapses — could yet derail the finish. Imbalance in negotiations, threats Industry participation has surged across recent sessions; in Busan alone, more than 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists registered — outnumbering scientists by three to one and Indigenous representatives by almost nine to one. In fact, on July 8, Richard Thompson, a marine biologist from the University of Plymouth who has been working on plastic pollution for 30 years and co-coordinator of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, expressed deep concern during the UK Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee hearing about scientists facing threats in the context of the UN plastics treaty negotiations. He stated: 'Scientists I work with have been threatened on UN premises as part of these negotiations… threats to scientists are not a new issue. It has happened through many of these negotiations.' When asked to elaborate, he confirmed these were verbal threats from industry representatives, and that those responsible were ejected from the UN premises. Thompson said there was an imbalance in the negotiation process, where industry actors are well-funded and well-represented, while scientists are often self-funded observers with limited voice and protection. He added that almost what he would consider a fundamental right to science and to access science was being denied. Later, he shared that even in peer-reviewed publications, he had personally received legal threats from companies for naming specific products or findings. He acknowledged that these threats could discourage younger scientists from participating or speaking out. This testimony was a powerful call for the establishment of an independent, protected scientific evidence mechanism, as mandated by UNEA 5/14, to ensure fair and safe participation for scientists in treaty processes. Amy Youngman, legal and policy specialist at Environmental Investigation Agency, said: "When fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists outnumber not just scientists, but most national delegations, you have to ask: who is this treaty really being written for? In Busan, over 220 lobbyists had seats in the room, which is more than any other delegation and more than most low-income country delegations combined. That's not participation, it's capture. These are the very actors driving the plastics crisis, and they're not just shaping access, they're shaping the tone of negotiations and even influencing national positions, all while slowing ambition. Unless there's a course correction in Geneva, the treaty risks being forged under the shadow of the very industries it's meant to hold to account."
Euronews
6 days ago
- Science
- Euronews
What scientists got right - and wrong
At the dawn of the millennium, a group of esteemed scientists drew up a list of threats they deemed most likely to impact the world's rocky shores over the coming quarter of a century. Now, in 2025, the same academics and other experts have reviewed their forecasts and done another stocktake of Earth's coastlines. The new study, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, reveals several points where they were spot on - and others where their predictions fell wide of the mark. 'Our shorelines are sentinels for the global ocean and, for many people, their window to what is happening in our seas,' says Professor Hawkins, Lankester Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association (MBA), and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Southampton. 'Protecting their continued health is essential, but they are constantly facing multiple threats from land, sea and environmental change.' The first study, published in 2002, shows it is possible to forecast some challenges, he continues. 'However, there will always be things we can't foresee – and things that don't materialise as scientists might expect.' What did the scientists get right in their shoreline predictions? The scientists correctly predicted that oil spills would decrease in both frequency and volume - a trajectory that was already underway since the 1970s. Despite some major tanker-related spills, the biggest oil spill in the last two decades was offshore following the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, when a drilling platform operated by BP in the Gulf of Mexico exploded. The use of more environmentally sensitive clean-up methods has also generally lessened the severity of any post-spill impacts. Professors Hawkins and co-author Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, were also right to predict that the global spread of non-native species would increase as global temperatures change. One example of an invasive species that has relocated as sea temperatures rise is the warm-water barnacle Austrominius modestus. Introduced to southern England in the 1940s, its range has now expanded into Europe - from Denmark to southern Portugal, and north into Scandinavia - where it tends to dominate in rocky intertidal areas. They were also correct to say that the growth of industrial agriculture, plus riverside and coastal urbanisation, would lead to increased sediment running into rivers, estuaries and seas. What went better than expected? Some forecasts were partially right. The 2002 study was insufficiently optimistic about reductions in the impacts of toxic chemicals, such as tributyltin (TBT), which were subsequently reined in by international legislation. 'Marine scientists have shown that a combination of global and local action can bring about positive change – the successful banning of TBT by the International Maritime Organization in 2003 being a notable example,' concludes Professor Thompson, who was recently named by TIME magazine among its 100 most influential people in the world for 2025. Another positive: concerns that offshore renewable energy installations might harm marine habitats have proved to be unfounded. Interestingly, the study notes, the growth of offshore wind installations has actually provided offshore habitat for some rocky shore species and stepping stones, thereby increasing the 'demographic connectivity' of populations. Climate change threats were underestimated While scientists were very aware of the influence of climate fluctuations, they didn't fully appreciate the varied impacts they would have on species and ecosystems. And they underestimated the importance of extreme weather events resulting from climate change. In the interim, other studies have warned how climate change is increasing the risk of extreme flooding and droughts, endangering coastal species which rely on natural salinity levels. Other threats the scientists missed 25 years ago include the impacts of coastal mining, ocean acidification and the staggering scale of plastic pollution. 'As international discussions continue around factors such as a Global Plastics Treaty and the most effective ways to reduce global warming, it is important that we recognise past environmental success and build on them,' says Professor Thompson. He and Professor Hawkins worked on the new study alongside Dr Kathryn O'Shaughnessy and other colleagues at the MBA and University of Plymouth and various other organisations across the UK, US, South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Chile, China and Monaco.
Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
Most of England facing hosepipe ban
Most of England is expected to face hosepipe bans this summer in a historic drought. The Environment Agency (EA) warned on Monday that swathes of the country, from Cumbria to the Isle of Wight, could have drought status declared by September. Such a scenario would be expected to leave tens of millions in the North, Midlands and central southern England with curbs on their water usage. The forecast came after Thames Water announced a temporary usage ban in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, bringing the number of people in England under such restrictions to 7.5 million. It follows similar measures announced recently by South East Water and Yorkshire Water. The EA said the public should 'expect more' hosepipe bans as water companies respond to the predicted drought. Under its forecasts, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will all be in drought by September. The rest of the country – with the only exceptions being Devon and Cornwall – will be in 'prolonged dry weather' status, the category below drought. 'That's our reasonable worst-case scenario,' said Richard Thompson, the quango 's deputy director for water resources. 'That's what we are planning towards. 'But we have also stress tested that against some more extreme scenarios. Under those circumstances, we might expect droughts to move faster. We could expect it to become more widespread.' Currently, three 'regions' of England are in drought: Cumbria and Lancashire; Yorkshire; and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. Reservoir levels are now said to be very low across the North and Midlands following a succession of heatwaves and the driest first six months of the year in England since 1976. Dr Will Lang, the Met Office's chief meteorologist, said: 'Looking forward, if the dry weather was to continue through the rest of the summer, we do expect other companies to follow [suit] as they follow their dry plan. 'But it will be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures.' Is there a ban in your area? Select your provider to check That includes London, where Thames Water did not rule out introducing restrictions. Sources told The Telegraph that the company was keeping a 'close eye' on declining water levels in reservoirs which supply the capital, where stocks are currently 'slightly below average'. That is only marginally better than the 'below average' levels of the Farmoor Reservoir, which prompted the hosepipe ban in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. The Environment Agency also warned that farmers were facing a 'deteriorating' situation. It said the dry spring had forced them to start irrigating fields earlier than usual and reservoirs were now 'low in some areas', adding that it could lead to 'poor crop quality', 'lower yields' and reduced 'winter feed supplies'. The agency also confirmed that farmers in East Anglia and Yorkshire were being banned from watering their crops in an attempt to preserve water supplies. Abstraction bans, known as Section 57 restrictions, are imposed by the Environment Agency during times when severe drought coincides with irrigation periods. On Saturday, Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers' Union, said that the bans were ' risking food production '.
Powys County Times
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Powys County Times
Up to five more regions could face drought this year, Environment Agency says
Up to five more regions could be in a drought by September with more hosepipe bans on the way, the Environment Agency has warned. The watchdog said it will announce its expectations for more areas of England to enter 'drought' status as the National Drought Group – a coalition of sector leaders and officials – meets on Tuesday. Currently, three areas of the UK – Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire – are in drought, and three water companies have announced hosepipe bans following one of the UK's driest springs on record. But millions more people could face these conditions across the Midlands and central southern regions this year, under the Environment Agency's reasonable worst cast scenario. If England gets 80% of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the watchdog forecasts. In this scenario, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire could also be in drought by the end of the summer. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the 'prolonged dry weather category'. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
The Herald Scotland
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Up to five more regions could face drought this year, Environment Agency says
Currently, three areas of the UK – Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire – are in drought, and three water companies have announced hosepipe bans following one of the UK's driest springs on record. But millions more people could face these conditions across the Midlands and central southern regions this year, under the Environment Agency's reasonable worst cast scenario. If England gets 80% of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the watchdog forecasts. In this scenario, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire could also be in drought by the end of the summer. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' An aerial view of dry fields (Owen Humphreys/PA) Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the 'prolonged dry weather category'. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
