Ignore Trump for a moment, and all the other calamities going on around the world this Easter. Climate change is still the biggest threat to us all, and we are in danger of ignoring it at our peril.
This is the audio version:
This is the transcript:
The world is still burning.
I hate to tell you this, because the news has been so distracted by other things - Trump, Ukraine, Gaza, Scunthorpe steel plants - that we've forgotten one of the most important stories that is always and ever present and which should get our attention and which has not enough of late, and that is that the world is still burning.
Climate change is still going on, and it's significant enough to threaten our very existence. That's not an idle threat. It's something that most of the world's leading scientists in this field are fairly sure is true.
We have seen very significant global temperature rises. The 1.5 degree temperature threshold is now being threatened and pushed at on a regular basis. Scientists are now talking about two degrees being the point at which they would now like to hold global temperature changes, but that may be too high.
2023 was, we know, the hottest year on record ever.
2024 almost certainly was as well when every form of data is finally completed.
And right across the world, we're seeing the consequences of this increase in temperature.
We're getting more extreme weather conditions, whether it be hurricanes, whether it be floods, whether it be droughts. These are happening more often and they're affecting people in places where they didn't expect to see such things happen.
We're getting droughts and wildfires in places like California and Australia, but we even had wildfires in Scotland of late. This is something that is coming home to roost. We can't ignore this anymore.
There's extreme weather the world over, and at the same time, we've got melting ice and rising seas.
Both the glaciers in the Antarctic and the Arctic are melting very rapidly. They are literally collapsing into the sea and the consequence is that whilst over the last 150 years, sea levels have risen by eight inches, the prospect is that they will rise by a great deal more over years to come. The rate of change is growing, and as a result, things like, for example, the Thames Barrier are looking to be out of date because quite soon flood waters could go above them. The whole of the City of London is at threat. Where I live in East Anglia, everywhere from the coast, right through the fens past Cambridge and as far as Bedford could flood, if the sea walls are taken out by rising sea water.
And across the world, this has financial implications. Eighty per cent of all bank lending the world over is secured against properties that might flood sometime in the next 30 or so years. That means the world's financial system would fail as a result.
We're seeing other impacts. I. The oceans are changing. The Gulf streams are moving. That has enormous impact for the UK. If the Gulf Stream shifts we do not enjoy the temperate climate that we have in this country, even though we like to moan about it all the time. That will be a massive consequence for us. It's almost unbelievable to imagine what it would be like if we had more extreme cold or more extreme heat, or both, and that is a possible outcome.
At the same time, we're seeing other problems. Coral reefs are being bleached and they're dying. The most obvious is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia but there are others as well. And ocean acidification is also very real, making it much harder for some types of sea life to survive.
We're also, and I expand that last point now, noticing that biodiversity loss around the world. Animal migration is changing.
I'm a bird watcher. The way in which birds are moving to and from the UK is changing very rapidly. Birds that were rare here only a decade ago are now commonplace and that's the result of global warming. Animals are moving away from hot areas because they know there is no water and there is no food.
We are going to see human populations following their pattern as well, and there's nothing we'll be able to do about it unless we take action to stop climate change.
There's another one when it comes to the biodiversity, and this is also absolutely fundamental. Insects are dying out and we are utterly dependent upon our pollinators to keep the world's food supplies going. If they go, we go to, in a very large degree, because without the crops that they can create for us, the fruit that they can create for us, and everything else upon which we are dependent with regard to these insect pollinators, then we're in deep and profound trouble.
And therefore, I emphasise this point. It's about human lives, human health, and human livelihoods. This is not just a natural disaster, it's a disaster for us.
Despite this, there are economists still going on talking about, oh, what will the impact of three degrees temperature rise be on the world's gross domestic product as if this is a technical exercise they can undertake without any care for the consequences for the planet as a whole, or for the quality of life, or for the fact that life might simply not be sustainable. They just see it as a mathematical exercise. It isn't. We are at threat.
Our food security is at threat.
Our housing is at threat.
Our communities are therefore at threat.
And in some places whole countries are at threat because they won't be able to stay where they are now - the communities within those places won't be able to stay where they are now - because they will need to move because they will simply become impossible to live in, either because they're too hot or because there's no food or because there's no water and the last might well be the critical tipping point.
We could still change this.
We could still take the necessary steps to prevent this global heating.
We could slow down the process of change.
We could limit climate change to two degrees, although we still don't know what the consequences of that are, and they could be extremely detrimental.
We could promote renewable energy.
We could cut consumption of those things that are causing harm.
We could reduce the amount of travel that we undertake.
We could change our diets.
We could reduce the excess consumption of the world's ultra-rich, which drives more of the harm than does anything else at all, because they travel more by jet, they consume more goods, and they waste more than anyone else.
We could do all those things, but if we don't, there is no bright future. It might be hot, but it's not going to be bright as far as we are concerned.
If we are looking for renewal; if we are looking for new starts; if we are looking for the idea that there is hope, which is at the core of the Easter season at the time that this video is coming out, whether you are a believer or not, and I really don't think it makes any difference, if you are looking for those things we have to tackle the fact that the world is still burning. If we don't, we're in the deepest, darkest trouble.
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We’ve had a spring drought two years in a row, though it’s worse this year than last. On a walk near arable fields yesterday, the soil was dry as dust, streams barely flowing, culverts empty. Temperatures have been unseasonably warm for weeks. A forecast of overnight precipitation barely moistened the ground. And yet, neighbours were outdoors running their pressure washers for hours, trying to blast the last molecule of moss from their decking, while endless flights to holiday destinations roared above our heads! When drinking water is hard to come by and our food is almost impossible to to reliably grow, there’ll be social unrest. This can be avoided. We need to simplify our lives and accept some sacrifice.
Agreed
Ditto in Belgium on all counts.
My partner suffers from hay fever – walked into chemist & he remarked – it gets worse every year (specualation: combo of pollen & pollution?).
As usual Dan Goyal has something useful to say – relevant to the subject:
https://dangoyal.substack.com/p/cruelty-is-the-point
The 1st para is relevant – & connects to PSRs comment (see below). The current “system” is designed to deliver the climate disaster we are seeing. Slightly different context: film “The Zone of Interest” portrayed people delivering “a result”. Ditto most of the people working in the upper echelons of corporations – they are their to deliver “a result”. & I have zero doubt, just like the people in the film, they are kind to their families whilst ignoring the consequences of their actions @ work.
Much to agree with
Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s a powerful, grounded reflection — and honestly, exactly the kind of reminder we all need more of. Amidst all the noise and shifting headlines, it’s far too easy to forget that the climate crisis hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just become the wallpaper of our world — ever-present, but ignored at our peril.
You’ve laid it out so clearly, and what struck me most is how deeply human it all feels. This isn’t just about melting ice or parts per million of carbon — it’s about the way our lives are already being reshaped. It’s the birds we used to see only in summer now lingering through winter. It’s communities slowly losing ground to rising seas. It’s farmers watching their crops struggle in unpredictable seasons.
And it’s personal in ways I don’t think we always realise. I’ve been noticing it more and more, even from my office window. Trees and plants are blooming weeks earlier than they used to. Daffodils in January. Cherry blossoms before spring even really begins. The grass gets its first cut earlier every year. And when I drive, I’ve started to notice something that really unsettles me — there are far fewer insects hitting my windscreen. It used to be a messy nuisance, sure, but now that it’s not happening, it’s strangely eerie. Because it’s not just a cleaner car — it’s a quieter ecosystem. A warning sign.
That’s why your words really hit home. Because this isn’t some far-off, theoretical future. It’s now. It’s us. And it’s not something we can outsource or wait for someone else to fix. Future generations are going to look back and ask why we didn’t do more — and that’s not a guilt trip, it’s a reality check. We’re the ones writing that story right now, with what we choose to do — or not do.
I also really appreciated what you said about inequality. Because no, we’re not all in this in the same way. Some are suffering first and worst, despite having contributed the least. And at the same time, the wealthiest are still living in ways that stretch the planet to its breaking point. Climate change is a mirror — and what it reflects about how we value people, profit, and the planet is uncomfortable, but vital to confront.
And still — like you — I believe there’s hope. Not in some vague, fluffy sense, but in real, everyday action. I’ve met people restoring woodlands, rebuilding coastal marshes, teaching kids how ecosystems work and why they matter. There are farmers rewilding their land, neighbours starting local repair cafes, young people building apps to track pollution or food waste. It’s happening. And it reminds me that we’re not powerless — not by a long shot.
But you’re right — urgency is everything. This window is narrow. The time to act isn’t next year, or after the next election. It’s right now. That means voting like it matters, pushing for policies that match the scale of the crisis, holding companies accountable, and yes, reflecting on our own choices — not with guilt, but with care. And maybe even with love.
And we also need to be gentle with ourselves and each other. This is heavy stuff. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and that’s okay. But we can’t let despair turn into paralysis. Small, steady, collective steps matter. They always have.
Your final thoughts really stayed with me — about hope, about renewal, and about the kind of world we could build if we truly chose to. Whether that’s rooted in faith, in community, or just in a deep love for the natural world, that vision is something to hold onto. A world with clean air, wild spaces, safe homes, and communities that care for one another isn’t just possible — it’s worth fighting for.
So thank you again. Conversations like this don’t just raise awareness — they remind us we’re not alone in caring. And sometimes, that’s what it takes to keep going.
(P.S. Your mention of Scotland’s wildfires really struck a chord — I’ve got family there too, and seeing the peatlands burn was jarring in a way I can’t quite explain. It brought the crisis home in a very real way. But if it can reach us like that — if we can feel it — maybe we can act with that same intensity too.)
Thanks, Bryan. Appreciated.
Bryan
I agree with every thing you say, except one phrase. “Future generations are going to look back and ask why we didn’t do more “.
Given that everyone, really, knows that climate change is catastrophic for the future of life on this planet, it is strange how many people just ignore it. And I think your use of that phrase sums up the problem. People don’t, really, believe the catastrophe will happen, I think they believe that ‘something will be done’, which is implied in thinking about what futute generations will think of us.
There won’t BE future generations.
“ Whatever fossil fuel machinery you own, whether it is as a grid operator, a small business, or a home, that fossil machinery needs to be your last.”
Electrify: An optimists playbook for our clean energy future.
Saul Griffith
Truth be told then, we are NOT a Christian country because all we can do is divest our issues onto those who cannot pay rather than invest in them and renew. Our government has created debt out of our future.
The rich certainly think that they’re out to grab as much as they can so that when the shit hits the fan that their wealth will have inoculated them from it all.
Wrong!
I went to a Vigil Mass last night and was rather shocked and dismayed by the huge amount of solid fuel burning away in the brazier in the car park. I think maybe Churches across the country could have kept Scunthorpe going. Anyway, here’s my List of the Day. Happy Easter everyone.
Travel and Mobility
Shift to low‑carbon transport: Walk, cycle or use public transport for everyday journeys instead of driving
Car-share and switch to electric vehicles: Where driving is needed, car‑sharing schemes or an EV (charged from renewables) can cut tailpipe CO₂ dramatically
Fly less: Reduce air travel frequency and opt for “staycations” or rail travel on UK routes to avoid the high emissions from short‑haul flights
Combine trips and work from home: Planning errands into a single journey and remote working reduces fuel use and congestion
Home Energy Use
Draught‑proof and insulate: Simple measures such as sealing gaps and adding loft insulation can cut heating emissions and bills immediately
Install efficient heating: Upgrade to an A‑rated boiler, air‑source heat pump, or solar panels—often with government grants—to decarbonise home heating
Switch to a green energy supplier: Choose a tariff backed by 100% renewable electricity or dual‑fuel renewable gas options
Lower your thermostat: Turning down by just 1 °C saves around 10% of heating emissions; use programmable controls to avoid overheating
Sustainable Food Choices
Eat more plant‑based meals: Cutting red meat and dairy can reduce your food‑related footprint by up to 70% of diet emissions
Buy local and seasonal: Reduces transport and storage emissions, and supports UK farmers moving to low‑carbon methods
Plan meals and prevent waste: Meal‑planning and proper storage can halve household food waste—which accounts for 8–10% of global GHGs
Compost scraps: Diverts organic waste from landfill, cutting methane emissions and returning nutrients to soil
Consumption and Waste Reduction
Reduce, reuse, recycle: Prioritise reuse (e.g. repair, upcycle) and only then recycle—minimising the energy and emissions locked in manufacturing
Choose sustainable products: Look for FSC‑certified wood/paper, Fairtrade, or B‑Corp labels to favour low‑impact supply chains
Avoid single‑use plastics: Refill water bottles and coffee cups, and pick loose produce over plastic‑wrapped items
Slow fashion: Repair or swap clothing via local libraries or online platforms instead of fast‑fashion buying
Community Engagement & Advocacy
Join or support local climate groups: Friends of the Earth and WWF local branches offer ways to campaign on renewables, food, and transport at the community level
Share your actions: Encouraging friends and family to adopt low‑carbon habits multiplies your impact and builds social momentum
Vote and lobby: Hold politicians to account on their net‑zero commitments—use your vote and contact MPs to push for stronger climate policies
Support divestment and green finance: Choose banks, pensions, and funds that exclude fossil‑fuel investments and back renewable projects
‘Driving an EV in the UK, charged on a low-carbon grid and on a low-cost evening tariff where only renewable electricity is used, means that the emissions produced for the electricity charging the EV’s battery are low. Even in coal intensive grids, Carbon Brief analysed that an EV in China would pay off its
carbon debt at 22,000 miles and in Poland at 18,000 miles.
‘In its latest report, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(ICT) said: “even with current grids, EVs reduce emissions in almost
all cases.” EVs reduce emissions even when being charged with
electricity from fossil fuel heavy grids because they are roughly four
times more energy efficient than ICE cars. Zapmap reports that 80%
of EVs are charged at home, at night on low-cost electricity tariffs
from providers that supply certified renewable electricity”’
Little book of EV myths 2
Thanks Stephen.
While I applaud the efforts of people all around the world who are trying to make Earth habitable for future generations, could the history of our planet tell us something? Apparently our home is some 4.5 billion years old, and during that time it has suffered many extreme weather events. My point is this, and I apologise if this sounds ridiculous, could it be that the latest development is largely out of our control, and despite our best efforts, if that ever happens, and while we might improve matters, our fate is sealed? Sorry for being downbeat.
Scientists seem to think you are wrong
And why risk it?
The major financial institutions themselves are now predicting a 2.7°C rise:
https://www.iif.com/portals/0/Files/content/Regulatory/32370132_iif_sfm_february_2025_-_final_version_for_release-199946066.pdf
https://www.jpmorganchase.com/content/dam/jpmc/jpmorgan-chase-and-co/documents/Climate-Report-2024.pdf
And rather than stop their ecocide they are instead trying to work out how to profit from it…
It is vitally important to note that even if we were able to stop and reverse global warming the ecocide and 6th mass extinction event would continue thanks to resource depletion, pollution, water & soil scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
Our problems cannot be solved with techno-fixes and changes around the edges, we need to fundamentally change the way we conduct our society and move to degrowth and permaculture as quickly as possible.
I have just come back from holiday in Porthmadog.
I picked my oldest son up from Blaenau Ffestiniog station, the surrounding wildfires made the town smell like a huge bonfire and there was a lot of smoke.
Fortunately it rained on the Sunday evening which brought the train service on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland railways back to normal but there was plenty of evidence of fires on the hillsides both near Porthmadog and on the trip home
Sad
I like Blaenau and its environs.
The future is grim as CO2 emissions are still rising and methane is now increasing due to permafrost melting, although the concentration of methane is far lower then that of CO2, it has around 80 times more damaging effect on the greenhouse effect. The concentration of CO2 is now well over 425 parts per million and a concentration of 450 – 500 parts per million will be disastrous as critical ecological tipping points will be triggered which will mean more climate breakdown and ecological and social collapse. True, some mitigation is possible by lifestyle changes – maybe 25% emission reductions but the rest of the economy – energy and commerce – 75% emissions, will still increase, especially with economic growth in India, China and the other developing nations. Hope of major technological fixes such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen tech, nuclear fusion etc are all pie in the sky as they are yet to be proved on the scale required and would take decades to be fully effective if at all.
BBC News every weekday tells us the latest FTSE or DowJones Index. Far more vital would be to know the latest CO2 ppm in the atmosphere. For that, I look to the weather page in the Guardian.
Latest reading from Mauna Loa, Hawaii, was 430.07 ppm on 16th April. I think I’m right that this reading is the highest in human existence.
A year ago, on 18th April 2024, it was 425.91. Ten years ago, on 18th April 2015, it was 403.44.
The pre-industrial level was 280 ppm. The so-called “safe level” is 350.
At the recent rate of increase we’ll breach 500 ppm in less than 30 years. Fortunately, I’ll be dead. But what about my, and your, children and grandchildren?
Such a good idea.
Can you clarify what you refer to as “a good idea” and the reasons for this, as I am a little confused as you are usually very clear.
Thanks
I was referring to the idea of broadcasting something more relevant than the value of the FTSE 100