This digital magazine on environmentalism will support you with information and inspiration. We'll give you free access to a range of creative outlets and conversations all about the climate crisis.
34 pages · tap a page to read its text
Climate Coroners
Issue #1
editor's letter contributors (4) digital magazines (5) spot the difference (13) COP31 (19) sustainable swaps (27)
(54) You can't tell the children... (59) music for making change (61) get in touch
It's not easy to share your thoughts, feelings and research with the world, but Issue One is proof of why we should. This magazine exists through the collective efforts of young creatives and forward-thinkers who choose to speak up. Without this collaboration, young people would have few other spaces to make themselves heard on a crisis that will quite possibly define the future of our generations: climate change. For many young people, the climate crisis is a constant concern. Many young people today are "extremely worried" about the climate and over half of them believe that their futures will be affected. It has been a topic so long outstanding that we've even coined the term 'climate fatigue to explain our inaction! But this issue seeks to bring it back to the forefront of our discussions. This issue is a chance for something different: it's somewhere young people can speak for themselves, creatively and authoritatively.
In this issue, we turn our attention to our home, the Southwest. From flooding in the Somerset Levels, wildfires and disrupted food supplies, to the loss of cities like Glastonbury and no snowfall by the end of the century, the message is clear: climate change is going to affect us. With COP31 on the horizon and 2030 targets fast approaching, the urgency of our attention has never been greater.
I encourage you to look deeper, like a coroner, at the symptoms of climate change and transform the planet's future before it becomes impossible to. The magazine will inspire you with small steps to enact this change and show what you as a young person can do. I hope you as a reader can gain some reassurance in that you are not alone and we are still focused on bettering your future. I want to invite you, the reader, to continue the conversation. Share your thoughts, opinions and engage with the topics raised in this issue by getting in touch via the website, email and Instagram. The world quite literally cannot wait to hear what you have to say!
Thank you to my fellow contributors; you are so talented and I truly believe that you are the people who are going to change the world, one publication at a time.
References:
Dallow, S. (2024) Somerset towns could be underwater in just 6 years. Available at: https://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/24719592.somerset-towns- underwater-just-6-years/ ( RCPCH (2023) Children and young people fear Government no longer cares about climate change, says RCPCH report. Available at: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/children-young-people-feargovernment-no-longer-cares-about-climate-change-says
West of England Combined Authority (2024) The impact of climate change on the West of England. Available at: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/climate-impact/#climate (Accessed 11 March 2026)
DIGITAL MAGAZINES a sensible solution or sustainability sin?
We're taking them head to head to see how your favourite magazines fare in the journey to sustainability.
PAPER
so what is digitisation doing to the environment?
Mining: Electronic devices are made up of minerals and metals that can only be found through mining. Mining is responsible for 7% of greenhouse gases emitted and is a huge driver of deforestation and soil erosion. About 44% of operational mines are found in forests. The process is a major hazard to local com- munities as well as wildlife, as it contaminates soil and water.
Electronic waste: Huge amounts of waste is creat- ed because of how quickly devices become outdated or faulty. E-waste is predicted to rise by 347 million tonnes a year globally, with only 17% of it being correctly re- cycled. It often contains substances like lead and cad- mium that are harmful to people and the environment. Disposal also emits greenhouse gases: for every 1, 10 tonnes of CO2 are released.
Manufacturing: manufacturing electronic devices re- quires large amounts of energy: 80% of the carbon foot- print of a smartphone comes from manufacturing, need- ing 100x more energy per gram than a car. The inclusion of chemicals and solvents in this process can pollute the air and nearby water supplies. Additionally, the mass of materials consumed for production is 50-350x greater than the mass of the final products.
Water consumption: Cooling data centres and man- ufacturing devices requires vast amounts of water, which limits nearby water supplies. Data centres can consume up to 19 million litres a day. Many institutions are banning the use of technology that require data cooling centres use water most inefficiently, like Al tools.
Emissions: The UN states that the tech industry caus- es 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and this will only increase with rapid digitalisation in the modern world.
Deforestation: 100 million hectares of forest are con- sumed by the paper industry yearly (that's an area the size of Egypt!). Areas that have been felled can no longer absorb carbon dioxide, so contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion. However, there are certifica- tions in place to protect UK forests and wood is naturally occurring and renewable. Some companies even promise to plant more than they fell.
Recycling: Europe has the highest rates of recycling in the world; for every ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees are kept alive. However, when paper is stained, it can be re- jected from the recycling process. As we move away from plastic packaging, the solution of compostable food con- tainers and paper bags are being developed by companies around the world, but our consumption of paper for this alternative is expected to increase in coming years.
what about paper?
Water consumption: Every phase of paper manufac- turing requires water. A single A4 sheet requires nearly 13 litres in production. Some paper mills often dispose of the bleached water into local water supplies, where it's toxic to wildlife. Meanwhile, other companies ensure that they clean and recycle all the water involved in the process to create zero waste.
Pollutants: paper is bleached so that it appears white. This bleach, chlorine dioxide, has often ended up in rivers and water supplies, but some paper mills are switching to using ozone for less environmental impact. However, if we were happy to start using darker coloured paper, the process could be skipped completely.
Energy Consumption: every year, the global indus- try consumes the amount of energy needed to make 87 trillion cups of tea.
Duporte, Alexandra (2022). Environmental impacts of digitalisa- tion: what to bear in mind. AEIDL. July 2022.
Goshal, P. 2023) The Environmental Impact of Digitalisation: What's Your Take on Sustainable Technology?. Available at: https://www.fdmgroup.com/news-insights/environmen- tal-impact-of-digitalisation/ (Accessed 28 February 2026)
Gorvett, Z. (2025) How paper is making a comeback. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/howpaper-is-making-a-comeback/ (Accessed 28 February 2026)
Two Sides (2025) Myth: Paper is bad for the environment. Availa- ble at: https://twosides.info/sustainable-products/(Accessed 28 February 2026)
Climate Coroners is solely digital (for now, at least!) because it's the best way for us to reach YOU, reader. We are all in fa- vour of hearing what you have to say, and you're awfully good at navigating the online world, you clever thing! Plus, our lack of printing is financially the kinder option for you and for us, and we wouldn't be able to give you exciting features like playlists, resources and online alternatives for better accessibility other- wise! It's important to us that we find ways to remain non-profit, giving you free access to a full range of resources.
What are your thoughts?
Get in touch to help decide the future of the magazine.
In an ever modernising world, digitalisation means we have everything at our fingertips. And while new technology can help us innovate and solve complex problems we've never been able to before, it's worth asking ourselves whether magazines - and a lot of other media - should go back to the basics.
Hotter summers sound pretty great, right? More time to soak up the sun and get a nice tan going on - but this might not be the case. Have you ever considered what our summers might be doing to our water supplies? And where does all that water go, once it's evaporated? Multiple sources have concluded that temperatures in the UK have risen considerably in the past few years and so has rainfall. By mid-February this year, it had rained every single day from the beginning of the year, and we can all remember a time when we weren't sure it was ever going to end. You might be aware of horri- ble weather - you might have wished for it to end - but what you might not know is that it was the longest un- broken spell of rain since records began over a century ago.
These photos of Blagdon Lake are examples of how the changing climate is making itself known to us even here, in the Southwest. This is a reservoir near the Men- dip Hills in North Somerset, a lovely picnic spot and a wonderful walking route I frequent with my dog. You could once sit on benches on the grassy banks and squint against the glimmers of sunshine, bouncing off the fat body of water quite consistently throughout the year. But it's unlikely now that you'll be able find this respite, between periods of cracked, empty valleys in the Summer and deluges of water that swallow up the paths in Winter.
A V a t
s of a 2025 report, the Blagdon reservoir's water quality and biodi- ersity were found to be poor. It contained high amounts of pollut- nts, such as copper and mercury, and the cause was found to be oor waste management from local sewage and agricultural indus- ries. We no longer use the reservoir for drinking water, of course but this means that what little rain we get in the Summer goes to vaste. Bristol Water oversee the Chew Valley, Cheddar and Blagdon eservoirs in Somerset, and last August the total water storage for his area was at 50%. On the same date in 2024, storage fulfilment was at 73%. Water shortages are becoming increasingly common, and new business and housing developments make the pressure worse.
We can all remember a time in our lives when we've had to consider a hosepipe ban, but restrictions on our usagé could get more seri- pus. Director of Drinking Water Services, Richard Stanbrook, was telling people to save water by having short showers, turning off the tap and reusing water in their garden and for their plants - and it's likely he'll be saying the same things this year.
He describes: "We supply 300 million litres a day to customers, over 1.2 million customers, and that has grown in the summer by 10 per cent. We're also seeing domestic use grow as more people come to Bristol."
Last Summer was the fifth hottest on record, but this is in stark con- trast the flooding we're experiencing in the colder, wetter months. This winter, over 300 homes were flooded, and more than 100 areas in the UK had flood warnings in place. The Met Office have outlined that six of ten of the wettest winters since the beginning of records have happened in this century, from 2001 onwards (2024 was the second wettest!).
ALL NATURAL? DON'T BANK ON IT
Take a look at the banks of the reservoir.
The mud dried on these 'crack willow' trees is showing what used to be the winter-time water levels, now retreated far back from the banks in the summertime. The sharp contrast - in colour and in season should make the obvious, well .... obvious.
By 2050, these numbers could increase to a quarter of UK homes flooding. The building of 1.5 million more homes has been proposed for the coming years, but more than 10% of these are being built in areas prone to flooding. And in less than 25 years, by the time most us will be in our middle age, half of the rail network - a public trans- port system that could reduce our emissions overall - will be con- sumed by floodwater. Development can increase the economy, yes, but it will reduce the amount of rain being absorbed into the earth and will only drive flooding further.
Moreover, many famers in Somerset are suffering the blows of heavy rainfall, with their crops - and our homegrown food supply - being rotted by the floodwater. The agricultural sector lost &1 billion in crops alone in previous years of flooding.
So what's really happening? How does global warming give us so much sun, and so much rain too?
For every 1 degree Celsius our temperature rises, our atmosphere holds 7% more moisture, creating heavier rainfall. We currently expe- rience an average of 7 days a year where rainfall is more than 80mm a day (labelled a heavy rainfall 'event'). According to the UN, if tem- peratures rise more than 2 degrees Celsius, this will increase to 9 days.
Going forward without action, we can expect to see these trends worsen. Our Summers will be unbearably hot and dry, and our win- ters will be overwhelmed with water. By 2050, we will need almost 5 billion litres of water a day, far more than we currently have avail- able. That's an extra 2 million green bins full of water every day, as well as what we're already consuming! We need to find a way to bal - ance our water waste with our increasingly common draughts 17 and shortages.
References:
South East Rivers Trust (2026) Water, water everywhere...or is it? Available at: https://www.southeastriverstrust.org/water-water-everywhere-or-is-it/ (Accessed 14 March 2026)
Environment Agency (2024) Meeting Our Water Needs for the Next 25 Years. Available at: https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2024/03/21/ meeting-our-water-needs-for-the-next-25-years/ (Accessed 14 March
ITVX (2025) Water bosses keeping a 'close eye' on Somerset reservoir levels which are among lowest in the UK. Available at: https://www.itv.com/news/ westcountry/2025-08-12/water-bosses-keep-close-eye-on-somersetreservoir-levels-among-lowest-in-uk (Accessed 14 March 2026)
Met Office (2026) UK and global extreme events - Heatwaves. Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/understanding-climate/uk-and-global-extreme-events-heatwaves (Accessed 14 March
Southwest Water (2026) Current reservoir levels. Available at: https://www. southwestwater.co.uk/environment/water-resources/reservoir-levels (Accessed 14 March 2026)
The Guardian (2026) Why is the UK so rainy this year and how is the cli- mate crisis making matters worse? Available at: https://www.theguardian. com/environment/2026/feb/09/why-is-the-uk-so-rainy-this-year-andhow-is-the-climate-crisis-making-matters-worse (Accessed 14 March
Stallard, E. (2026) UK rain: Are wetter winters and frequent flooding here to stay? Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjw0kpd890 Environment Agency (2022) Blagdon Lake Water Body. Available at: https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/ GB30943135 (Accessed 14 March 2026)
COP stands for 'conference of parties' and the first one was held in Berlin in Germany, 1995.
COP31 is taking place in November this year, in Antalya (a city in Turkey).
Its main purpose is to ensure that the Paris Agreement, from COP21 in 2015, is being followed. Primarily, the agreement was to keep global warming from increasing above 1.5 degrees C. COP31 also aims to ensure that new climate plans and Nationally Determined Contributions, are enough to close the gap between what's being done and what needs to be done.
A REMINDER OF COP30:
Held in Belem, Brazil in November 2025
60,000 delegates participated and over 5,000 were indige- nous representatives
India and China did not participate. For the first time in COP history, the US did not attend.
Promised to limit warming to only a 1.5°C increase Promoted integrity and for the first time pushed against inac- curate or falsified information from participating parties While many participants (over 80 countries) lobbied for set- ting down clear terminology and terms of completely phasing out the use of fossil fuels, the final statement only calls for a "transition away from fossil fuels". A framework that had orig- inally been drafted for this purpose was removed a few hours before the final negotiations were made.
THE AIMS OF COP31:
Creating a global goal for adaptation set clear frameworks for action and ways to monitor suc- cess
Organising climate finance set a finance goal, following from 2025's (cop30) 100 billion USD a year pledge
Loss and damage funding implement and organise imbursements e.g. home insur- ance payouts and infrastructure
Introducing enhanced transparency frameworks all parties must have their reports submitted and re- viewed; this holds all countries accountable for being hon- est, accurate and aware of their impacts
Assessing carbon markets ensure that carbon contributors are protecting the en- vironment and resolve ambiguities of article 6, allowing countries to voluntarily attempt to reduce their climate impact
Australia lobbied for COP31 to be held in Adelaide, because they wanted to co-host the meeting with representatives of Pacific Is- land states. These states, called SIDS or small island developing states, are most likely to be impacted by rising sea levels and ex- treme weather events due to their location and lack of infrastruc- ture. Turkey, however, claimed the role because they stood aside in 2021, so the meeting could be held in Glasgow.
what the hell is going on with Australia and Turkey?!
Australia relented the battle, but not without compromise. This in- cluded the pre-COP meeting being held on a Pacific Island, and Aus- tralia's climate minister, Chris Bown, becoming president of nego- tiations. This means that Australia is in charge of negotiations and drafting the final descriptive text, while a representative from Tur- key will organise and schedule meetings, essentially ensuring the smooth-running of the venue. These compromises were agreed to by the more than 190 countries participating this year.
The decision for Turkey to host, however, has been criticised. Critics have accused the nation of "greenwashing", in presenting themselves as climate-conscious and attempting to boost their image by partic- ipating in COP31, but in fact they have very few, and critics suggest very weak, climate policies in place. Primarily, there is question as to whether they can uphold the promises of COP30 to move away from fossil fuel use, with their national reliance on coal and no plans to stop. 22
BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
Last year, the Global Stock Take (which meas- ures the gap between our real emissions and our pledged emissions) concluded that what we are doing is not enough; WE ARE OFF-TRACK OUR 1.5 LIMIT.
Based on pledges made at COP30, global warming is much closer to 2.8 degree C increase by the end of the century. The size of this gap only shows how important COP31 will be this year.
To limit our warming to 1.5 dC, global net emissions have to decrease by 43%, by 2030 (less than 4 years away!)
Reduce your consumption of energy, and resources like water and paper. Turn off your lights and electronic devices when they're not needed. Consume less red meat and buy less fast fashion. Travel by bike, public transport or walk.
Raise awareness.
Get talking to your friends and relatives about your concerns. Find people who share your interest in the climate. See what your uni- versity offers for you to get involved with their climate efforts. You might even want to join debating society, if that's your thing.
Hold your government accountable. While individual action is a great way to start reducing our emis- sions, we shouldn't ignore the impact of larger institutions and corporations. Have your voice heard and ensure your government stays on track, by writing letters to MPs. Not a very cool thing to do right? Well, the planet's not getting any cooler either.
Take preventative measures. Wear suncream, save water, stay in the shade and always wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
Take care of yourself.
Ultimately, COP31 is about holding governments accountable, not individuals. Do not blame yourself for the failings of wider society. Tell people about your worries and find small things that make you feel hopeful - which is exactly why we're here!
References:
COP31 (2026) COP31. Available at: https://cop31.co.uk/. (Accessed 4 April 2026)
Matt McGrath (2025) 'Turkey set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia. Available at: https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx242yj380no (Ac- cessed 4 April 2026)
UK Parliament (2025) What was agreed at COP30?'. Avail- able at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10402/(Accessed 4 April 2026)
United Nations (2025) Conference of the Parties (COP). Available at: https://unfccc.int/process/bodies/supreme-bodies/conference-of-the-parties-co (Ac- cessed 4 April 2026)
sustainable
Cadbury came under a lot of social media fire this year for its inclusion of palm oil in its ingredients. I know, I know, it's hard to let go of (and getting more expensive by the week) but swapping to a sustainable, ethically sourced chocolate brand is, actually, an incredible act of humanity. Chocolate production is the biggest driver of deforestation, and subsequent poverty and child labour, in West Africa. The process is unsustainable and unstable, which means that if we want to keep the comfort of chocolate for decades to come, then we have to make better choices as consumers.
Arrange clothes shop with your friends and families or get thrifty and buy sec- ond-hand. It'll help you avoid fast fashion and let you clothes feel the love a little longer. Vintage is the new thing, don't you know!
We hear time and time again that our meat industries are mass contributors to carbon emissions, and therefore global warm- ing. Plenty of young people have gone vegan and vegetarian to combat this, and plenty haven't. Now, I'm not saying you have to completely cut meat from your diet, but reducing the amount you consume is a good start. Try to avoid or I essen how much red meat you eat, and go from there. The cattle we eat produce huge amounts of methane, the greenhouse gas. If we collectively choose to cut back, then the industry cuts back, and our emis- Isions can at least slow down.
Sorry, ladies! But we all know how long our single-use plas- tics are going to be sticking around for. Not to mention, you'll be saving an awful lot of money not having to buy a new pack every month. It's not going to reverse global warming - but it's a bloody good start!
It's a little boring, and sometimes quite sad to see spinning around in the microwave - but it CAN be interesting and it IS good for the envionment. Meal prepping reduces food waste and cuts out the need for plastic packaging, as well as the emissions from transporting food when you order that cheeky Chinese takeaway.
If you're studying at Bath Spa, you'll already know this one. Carrying around a reusable coffee cup means you're throwing away less single-use plastics, and reducing your carbon foot- print. And as a student, you know you'll be drinking plenty of coffee!
Regardless of how many arguments we have over actually doing it, the vast amounts of washing up we do means we go through sponges FAST. Not only do they shed microplastics into our water supplies, they take centuries - yes, CENTURIES - to decompose in landfill. Plastic-free, biodegradable alternatives aren't just good for your health, they're good for the planet's health too..
You're probably sick of your paper straws giving up on you halfway through your drinks, but carrying around a resuable stainless steel straw might just be an even better solution.
We all hate being the one to put the bins out. But imagine, you could be the flat's secret superhero if you swapped plas- tic bin-liners for biodegradable ones instead. Even better- but slightly less appetising - you could use no bin liner and wash the inside of your bins instead. Hey, you might even start wanting to compost your food waste too!
Your typical shampoo bottle might seem pret- ty tame, but they can contain chemicals like sulfates and silicones that can pollute water systems and harm marine life, as well as lead to tonnes of plastic waste. Shampoo bars are a great alternative with a variety of brands and products - they are eco-friendly and don't need to be contained in plastic. Many of the ingredients are sourced unsustainably and unethically, like palm oil.
I won't bore you with the details - but laundry detergents can cause the same damage as your shampoos and your spong- es. Their chemical components not only contaminate water systems and eco-systems, they also struggle to break down. They too are often made up of fragrances and synthetics that are unsustainably sourced. There a range of sustainable alternatives, such as dis- solving laundry strips.
While the Amazon rainforest burns, it is not mere- ly the forest that is being scorched,but the fun- damental values of a social order that prioritises profit over preservation, and short-term gain over the long-term survival of humanity. As a society, by focusing on the fire itself, we risk missing the broader inferno- the social, political and econom- ic structures that have allowed the climate crisis in the first place. The prevailing social order mis- aligns global priorities with an industrialised dom- inant social paradigm (DSP), caring too deeply for consumption-driven economic and individual gain over a sustainable human-nature relationship. 33
Human activity has increasingly had an effect on the global envi- ronment. When a prominent shift occurs in human behaviour, it is only proportionate that our ecosystem is equally affected. These shifts are marked by time, and these periods of time are divided by geologists to mark significant changes in the earth's state. Recent environmental changes suggest that we have entered a new human-dominated geological epoch, and it was proposed that this shift should be marked as the Anthropocene. The idea of the Anthropocene "highlights social concerns, particularly the unequal power relationships between different groups of people, economic growth, the impacts of globalized trade, and our cur- rent reliance on fossil fuels" (Lewis 180). The Anthropocene chal- lenges long-held assumptions about our human-nature relation- ship, highlighting the increasingly active role that we as a species play in the climate crisis.
Bogert theorises that the effect that our current industrialised DSP has on our human-nature relationship ranges from what is considered to be ecocentric to anthropocentric. They have "identifie[d] twelve types of human-nature relationships from the existing literature", highlighting the profound effect that litera- ture has had on developing and evolving our perspectives when considering our coexistence with our planet (Bogert 15). These categories of human-nature relationships begin with 'holistic', 'connectedness' and 'participation, which are considered to be ecocentric and show humans and nature as an interconnected system focused on interdependence and sustainability. This then shifts to the equality of humans and nature segment, where we see 'partnership', 'ritualised exchange, 'devotion' and 'wardship, which sees nature and society as separate entities while nature is still preserved. Finally, we see a shift to the constructivist
notions where there's 'romanticism', 'detachment, 'utilisation' and 'mastery'; this shift is perhaps the most drastic with humans be- ginning to view nature as a commodity to conquer, control and profit. This final segment is considered our current society's per- spective and marks our newfound anthropocentric outlook on the environment.
Moreover, Bogert goes on to remark that "belonging to a certain class or group has been replaced by individual choices in life- style and consumption patterns driven by a competitive, capital- istic market focused on maximum individual gain" (16).Thus, our human-nature relationship has transformed to prioritise our gain over nature's gain, consequently until our human-nature relation- ship has been repaired, the Earth cannot begin to repair either. Our current society's dominant social paradigm is based on "a consumption-driven economic and social system with a strong focus on individualism" (Bogert 17). Humans have adopted a cor- rupt perspective in viewing the world through an opportunistic and materialistic lens. In fact, there is a direct correlation be- tween overconsumption and our environmental catastrophe; by "theorizing overconsumption as an ideological form [it] helps us to understand how [...] and why people are not resisting the sys- tem driving us toward ecological collapse" (Stuart 3).
Moreover, as an increasingly capitalist society, our system of production requires and thus creates a climbing rate of excess consumption. This in turn detrimentally contributes to material waste, consequently resulting in the collapse of our ecosystem. In fact, critics have theorised that "the heat that burns the world [...] comes from the engine of capitalism and not from glob- al-warming", meaning that our system of excess supply and demand for the motive of making profit has driven our plan- et into an irreversible state (Chakrabarty 200). This materialistic and capitalist driven ideology not only accelerates ecological destruction, but also emphasises society's systematically dis- couraged resistance to change. Our desire for profit blinds us to the long-term effects of our actions, prioritising immediate gains over sustainability; this traps humans in a dominant social paradigm (DSP) that values satisfaction over survival. Thus, in order to implement positive change, we must examine the eco- nomic structures that fuel overconsumption and redefine the way in which we produce and consume for the benefit of our planet.
Furthermore, capitalism's constant drive for growth and acc mulation leads to the overexploitation of the environment. Cap- italists view natural resources as commodities to be consumed and sold for profit, with little regard for their long-term availabil- ity. This desire for short-term monetary gain contributes direct- ly to deforestation, fossil fuel extraction, and industrial pollution, all of which largely contri ute towards our carbon footprint and climate change. In fact the basic structure for capitalism is built upon production for profit, not for our ecological well-being. The capitalist drive for expansion and the creation of new markets
directly affects our human-nature relationship as "the bourgeoi- sie can not exist without constantly revolutionising the instru- ments of production, and thereby relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society" (Marx 476). As corpora- tions constantly seek new raw materials and cheaper labour for greater economic growth, this proportionately negatively affects the state of our planet. For instance, fossil fuel companies such as BP, Shell and Enquest opportunistically expand their opera- tions into previously untouched areas which consequently leads to oil spills, the destruction of natural habitats and an increase in carbon emissions. In fact, more than half of the oil spills in the UK over the last decade have ended up in marine protected ar- eas, not only endangering the planet, but endangering already threatened habitats and species. This damaging, yet seemingly imperative need for constant expansion mirrors capitalist ideolo- gy and alienates humans from not only the products and conse- quences of their labour, but also the natural environment. Hence, this has damaged our human-nature relationship as we have begun to view nature as a resource to be sold as opposed to an environment to be nourished. Until our perspective shifts from one that views our planet as a product to exploit for profit, our environment will continue to rapidly deteriorate.
Historically, scientists and geologists have believed that the state of our planet was beyond human intervention and that "hu- man chronologies were vastly insignificant compared with the vastness of geological time; that human activities were insignifi- cant compared with the force of geological processes" (Chakra- barty 206). Whilst this may well have once been the case, "There are now so many of us cutting down trees and burning so many billis of tons of fossil fuels that we have indeed become geologi- cal agents" (206).
The idea of humans as geological agents is a relatively new one, and this shift in perspective marks a change, as advances in technology have enabled us to manipulate the planet to such an extent that much of the damage is irreversible. To view humans as geological agents frames our species as a force on a par with historical forces that have driven past mass extinctions. Thus, this shift not only redefines our human-nature relationship, but also places an enhanced sense of ethical responsibility on us as a species. As geological agents, we are no longer passive inhab- itants of the earth as we historically assumed, but active partici- pants in shaping its future. This realisation forces us to confront the reality that our actions carry weight on a geological scale, potentially altering life on earth irreversibly. With this in mind, one may consider whether we are prepared to take responsibil- ity for the irreversible changes we've set in motion and how we may also contain and alleviate the damage to ensure a some- what sustainable future.
Our planet faces irreversible damage if action is not taken to change our human-nature relationship. Due to our current in- dustrialised DSP, society's outlook on the environmental crisis is clouded by expansionism, economic and social gain.
This short-sighted perspective does not only prioritise profit over ecological sustainability, but also does not account for the finite amount of resources that our Earth has to offer. In order to address the climate crisis, it is vital that this perspective shifts to one that prioritises sustainability and long-term envi- ronmental health. As geological agents, we must rethink our eco- nomic structure, our societal values and priorities, and our desire for constant expansionism in order to take responsibility for our global crisis.
Hi, I'm Jasmine Wiseman-Doyle, a stu- dent at the university of Exeter.
This piece tackles the idea that our society has begun to prioritise profit over preserva- tion. My thoughts regarding climate change are simple, and largely shared: change is need- ed imminently before the state of our earth becomes irreversible.
Without drastically transformative ac- tion now, we risk condemning ourselves and future generations to a planet des- tined for irreversible destruction. Final- ly, we must collectively open our eyes to the destructive fires of capitalism be- fore they spread, or it won't be just the trees that burn.
Hey, I'm Brad. I'm 19 years old.
I got into photography through helping a friend with an art project and ever since then I have oved using my camera; I currently have a Canon 2000D but am hoping to upgrade soon. My favourite things to photo- graph are cars, wildlife and portraits. One day I hope to become a wedding photographer or have my own photography studio.
Colready Farm, Northamptonshire
Bath, North Somerset
Oldland Common, Bitton
TWO TERRIFYING TOPICS. LET'S UNTANGLE THEM TOGETHER.
At the heart of the US-Iran conflict are fossil fuels. Both the driver and the consequenc e of this action is oil. I'm sure you've already heard of the Strait of Hormuz, where 85 tankers carrying unimaginable li- tres of oil is trapped in the Persian Gulf. If a spill were caused by the attack on a single tanker, marine ecosystems in the Gulf could be damaged beyond repair. This includes the loss of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows. Not only would local communities suffer, but communities both hu- man and biodiverse could be affected further ashore. Fossil fuels play a key role in the power struggles that make war more likely in the first place. Trump, for example - yeah, him again - took military action against Venezuela after he de- clared the US should be "very strongly involved" in their oil industry (Venezuela has the largest crude oil reserves in the world - go figure).
Russia's war on Ukraine has made the environmental costs of war more visible than ever before. Greenpeace, with the Ukrainian company Ecoaction, examined 900 cases and 30 examples of satellite imagery to create a map of damage caused by Russia's illegal invasion. The war itself has numer- ated emissions equal to the annual output of France.
It was estimated that during the first 120 days of the war more than half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide was released. Greenpeace MENA found that the conflict had severely damaged water and sanitation systems as well as cropland and fishing areas. As if ongoing war wasn't enough, the environmental devastation will likely survive beyond the conflict and any agreements to a ceasefire. Palestine's climate is one that has become politically and environmentally inhabitable through this war, with the de- struction not only collapsing infrastructure but also pollut- ing vital natural resources.
2. BIODIVERSITY
Energy is, of course, one of the most environmentally damag- ing outputs of war. Because reports on military emissions are voluntary, it's very difficult to gage just how big of an impact it has on the current climate. A 2022 estimation from nations who do report their emissions estimated that militarisation accounts for nearly 6% of global emissions - if the world's militaries were a country, they would be the fourth biggest contributor to global warming. Here in the UK, our defence min- istries consume the most fossil fuels out of all the government agencies. Not only do militaries consume massive amounts of fossil fuels even in times of peace, oil production, storage and transportation is frequently targeted in warfare, and the conse- quent spillage and fires not only release greenhouse gases but also pollute areas for local wildlife and drinking and sanitation systems.
Wildlife and biodiversity suffer greatly during times of war, and this only elongates the suffering of local people; war doesn't end when the politicians in power make their agreements. War is a driver of deforestation and industrial pollution, and its fre- quent use of ammunition, bombing and fire-starting can de- stroy the crops, soil and farmland of agricultural communities. Modern, long-distance warfare can also kill up to 90% of large animals in an area, wiping out livestock and native species. By destroying local land, war cuts people off from access to food, clean water and energy. Vegetation too, when burned or re- moved, emits carbon dioxide. It's so important that every nation recognizes that when one community suffers, we all do.
And the destruction of war doesn't just have an environmen- tal cost, the essential steps to rebuilding communities do too. Removing debris and rebuilding homes and infrastruc- ture requires vast amounts of energy and resources. Institu- tions like the UN Environment Programme have been curat- ing conflict-specific plans to help rebuild lives in Ukraine and Gaza, creating models and management scenarios such as waste disposal and recycling, to ensure that reconstruction in the face of war can be made as sustainable as possible as well as helping to get local communities back on their feet as quickly and as accessibly as possible.
The environmental costs of war show us how important the energy transition is not only to the climate but to our national security.
We can all feel our pockets tightening as the cost of fuel goes up with every conflict, most recently with that of Russia and Iran. Just think about the last time you filled up your car, or dared to look at the energy bill! We can all very plainly see the financial impacts our energy instability has in times of war.
If the UK utilised wind and sun for energy, we would be less affected by shipping disruptions as we're seeing in the Strait of Hormuz, fuel price inflations and political disputes over oil and gas importation. Local renewable energy might not prevent war, or help those suffering directly, but it can keep services running and reduce the global environmental impact that comes from fighting over polluting, combustible fossil fuels.
References:
Joe McCarthy (2022) How War impacts Climate Change. Available at: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/how-war-impacts-the-environment-and-climate-change/ (Accessed 4 April
Conflict and Environment Observatory (2021) How does war con- tribute to climate change? Available at: https://ceobs.org/how- does-war-contribute-to-climate-change/(Accessed 4 April 2026)
Benjamin Skuse (2026) The environmental and climate cost of war. Available at: https://physicsworld.com/a/the-environmen- tal-and-climate-cost-of-war/ (Accessed 4 April 2026)
Covering Climate Now (2026) The Iran War Is Also a Climate War. Available at: https://coveringclimatenow.org/from-us-story/ the-iran-war-is-also-a-climate-war/ (Accessed 4 April 2026)
Mehdi Leman (2026) The US-Israel war on Iran and how war and conflict are destroying the environment. Available at: https:// www.greenpeace.org/international/story/82201/iran-lebanon-war-environment-climate-impacts/ (Accessed 4 April
THERE
CHILDREN
Infamous American author and civil rights activist James Bald- win wasn't thinking about climate change when he said these things, but their connection to the current climate is overwhelm- ing.
It's a tale as old as time, isn't it? 'We must look after our planet for our future generations. We're almost sick of hearing it. But it's not just an environmental issue; it's a justice issue, and Bald- win was adamant about challenging justice issues. The top 1% of global wealth distribution contribute the most to global warming, but will be the least affected by its consequences. Even in West- ern countries, those in poverty have less access to green spaces, to shade in hot weather, to suncream - the list goes on the longer you think about it. In the same city, different areas can be up to six degrees hotter based on the area and the income of its resi- dents. This has an impact on you and your family now.
Baldwin was "never in despair about the world, [he was] enraged by it". Be enraged by it. The future is in your hands!
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it
References:
Kacela, X: (2025) Climate Grief and Radical Hope: A Love Letter to Future Generations. Available at: https://inspiresanantonio.sub- stack.com/p/climate-grief-and-radical-hope-a (Accessed 26 April
Whoisprakasaka (2025) James Baldwin's Brilliant Response to Despair. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/szgEv- FACRVO>(Accessed 26 April 2026)
MUSIC FOR Where Have All the Flowers Gone - Peter, Paul and Mary
The Times They Are A'Changing- Bob Dylan
MAKING CHANGE We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley and The Wailers
Whose Garden was this - Vera Lynn
What A Difference A Day Made - Dinah Washington 59
say.
Scan the QR code to get in- volved! We want to hear your feedback on the first issue of Climate Coroners. Let us know what you think we did well, and what you want more of in the future.
SCAN ME!
Next issue, we want to explore the connection between educa- tion and the climate. This could mean telling us your proposals for how to integrate the conversation into classrooms, it could be your own experiences of learning about the crisis, of who taught you and how. Perhaps there's something we don't know enough about that you could explore? This might also involve what we can learn from nature, and the local and indigenous ways we can do this.
Get in touch: @climatecoronersmag on Insta
Want to have your say on something specific in this issue? Perhaps you've had similar experiences, or want to share your solutions for tackling clean energy? Quite possibly, you've got similar beef with Amazon. Maybe the art or images in this issue have inspired you in some way, to make or write something new? Drop an email, send a message or leave a comment on the Instagram and let us know! This is your chance to connect with other young people and really make a difference.