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Bristol and the Climate Crisis

The climate emergency and environmental crisis are defining issues of our time.

But how are these global issues playing out in our city, and what impacts might the actions we take here be having around the world? We want to confront these questions head on: despair and inaction will only make problems worse.

We will be investing more in reporting on the climate crisis: what it means for people living in Bristol, and what we can do about it. We’ll aim to connect the dots between what can sometimes feel like a distant threat, but is closely linked to local health, equality, economy and other issues playing out on a local level.

PHOTOESSAY: Protestors demand action on climate crisis

With negotiations ongoing at the COP26 climate summit, Bristolians took to the streets on Saturday to march for a greener future.

Andreas Malm: ‘Why climate activists should engage in acts of sabotage’

Environmental protesters need to rethink their tactics, argues a Swedish scholar of human ecology who came to Bristol this week.

Revealed: Untreated sewage is being dumped into our rivers thousands of times a year. Who’s to blame and can it be stopped?

The surge in popularity of wild swimming during the pandemic has highlighted the extent to which our outdated sewage system dumps waste into rivers – including the Avon. The Cable asks why, and speaks to local campaigners pushing for change.

Bristolians are taking to the streets during Cop26 this weekend, but will it make a difference?

Building long-term networks and the role of trade unions are important in turning the tide in the uphill battle to climate change, according to activists organising Bristol’s protest on 6 November.

‘Disruptive protests don’t win friends. But they work’

You are much more likely to achieve something if you are militant, argues International Public and Social Policy lecturer Oscar Berglund.

What is Cop26 and why does it matter? The complete guide

The crucial global climate summit in Glasgow has begun this week. Here are the basics explained for you.

Watch: Adblock Bristol demands a ban on fossil fuel advertising

Campaigners are determined that Bristol follows in the footsteps of other councils by ridding the streets of high carbon advertising.

‘Bristol must take urgent action on alarming lack of diversity in climate change decision-making’

New research has found white men dominate key climate discussion in Bristol, which clashes with the city’s commitment to a just transition. Dr Alix Dietzel explains why this matters on the eve of COP26, and what Bristol needs to do.

‘Don’t let them tell you protecting urban trees isn’t essential for a sustainable and liveable Bristol’

It has been suggested that people trying to save urban trees are misguided. But with the effects of climate change being so much more intense in city centres, we need all the trees we can get.

Watch: How a new approach to food production can make humans and the planet healthier

Farmer Humphrey Lloyd charts Bristol's food system, from its rich agricultural past to the carbon-heavy, supermarket-dominated picture of today.

West of England leaders vote to oppose Bristol Airport expansion, but Bristol abstains

Standing in for Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees was his deputy Craig Cheney, who did not contribute to the discussion and abstained from the vote.

Bristol has committed to tough green standards for new housing. But old homes are the biggest challenge.

A motion passed by Bristol councillors means new developments will have to adhere to strict power and energy standards, but it leaves existing homes in the cold.

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