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Two-thirds of global heating caused by world’s wealthiest 10%
A new study has found that the world’s richest 10% of individuals are responsible for 65% of global heating since 1990, intensifying droughts and heatwaves in the world’s poorest regions. This is the first detailed attempt to quantify how wealth inequality translates into direct responsibility for climate breakdown.
Researchers used wealth-based emissions data to trace the impact of income-driven carbon output on temperatures and extreme weather from 1990 to 2019. The findings show that high-income lifestyles and investment decisions have disproportionately driven global warming, while low-income countries near the equator bear the worst consequences.
By 2020, the global average temperature was 0.61°C higher than in 1990. Of that increase, 65% was linked to emissions from individuals earning more than £36,500 per year—over half of all full-time workers in the UK. The top 1% – those earning above £125,000 annually – were responsible for 20% of warming, while the top 0.1%, earning over £456,000, contributed 8%.
Simulations that removed the emissions from these wealthiest groups showed that global warming would have been far less severe. The findings support urgent calls for climate policies targeting high-income emissions and greater investment in climate justice.
US drug overdose deaths plummet thanks to Naloxone
After years of rising fatalities, the U.S. is finally reducing drug overdose deaths. In late 2023, deaths fell by 10%, and that trend has accelerated in 2024. According to the CDC, overdose fatalities are down 26% compared to previous years, falling below 81,000 annually. States hit hardest by the opioid crisis — including West Virginia, Ohio, and New Hampshire — have seen local declines of up to 50%.
Much of this success is due to targeted public health strategies. Widespread distribution of Naloxone (Narcan), a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses, has become a critical tool. Found in schools, police stations, and public spaces, it saved tens of thousands of lives in 2021 alone. Additionally, access to addiction treatments like methadone and buprenorphine has expanded, while public campaigns and free fentanyl test strips have made drug use safer and more informed.
But these hard-won gains are now under threat. Proposed cuts to the CDC and FDA under Donald Trump’s policy agenda could severely undermine the programmes.
World’s largest electric cruise ship sets sail from Tasmania
An Australian shipbuilder has launched what it claims is the world’s largest battery-powered ship, marking a significant step forward in low-emission maritime transport. Built by Incat in Tasmania, the vessel — named Hull 096 — will ferry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate between Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Uruguay. At 130 metres long and powered entirely by batteries, it holds more than 40 megawatt-hours of capacity, making it the most powerful electric ship ever constructed.
It uses eight electric-driven water jets and contains more than 250 tonnes of batteries, offering a promising alternative in a sector responsible for around 3% of global carbon emissions.
The 218 cruise ships operating in Europe in 2022 emitted more sulphur oxides than one billion cars, which is more than four times the number of cars on the continent. A 2012 study found that even the most efficient cruise ships emit more CO2 per person per kilometre than aeroplanes. Projects like Hull 096 demonstrate that cleaner options are both viable and urgent.
Europe’s solar energy use surges in first part of 2025
Europe is on course to surpass its previous solar energy records, with the first quarter of 2025 showing a 32% rise in solar electricity generation compared to the same period in 2024. According to energy think-tank Ember, solar output reached nearly 68 terawatt-hours (TWh), now accounting for 8.2% of the region’s electricity, up from 6% last year.
This growth reflects a broader shift toward clean energy, though renewables’ overall share dropped to 57% in Q1 2025 from 63% in 2024 due to a decline in wind power caused by lower wind speeds. As heating demand drops and solar enters its peak season, renewables are expected to rebound. Germany, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands each surpassed 10% solar generation, while countries like Turkey, Poland, and Switzerland posted major gains. During summer, several nations are projected to exceed 25% solar reliance.
Meanwhile, Europe’s wind sector is pushing for a 100GW offshore wind expansion by 2040 to further bolster clean energy targets.
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