FROM FRIENDS OF THE EARTH — THE JUXTAPOSITION OF PROGRESS VERSUS ENVIRONMENT

View in browser Dear John, One month in and 2025 has already been a rollercoaster for climate and nature. There’s cause for hope. The UK government finally rejected a bee-harming pesticide after years of “emergency” authorisation for sugar beet crops. And just yesterday the North Sea’s Rosebank oil and gas field, which was green-lit by the previous government – was ruled unlawful. But in the same week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has struck a jarring note, pushing for environmental deregulation and climate-wrecking airport expansion with her “growth trumps all” message (take action if you disagree). It’s the same short-sighted thinking that caused the climate and ecological chaos we’re living through now. So let’s get off the rollercoaster and be hopeful. From the latest news to sustainable eating tips and a blog about the most threatened orangutan in the world, we’ve got lots to share. Dive in. Will the last great ape discovered be first to go extinct? Until 2017, we only knew about 2 orangutan species in the world. Enter primate expert, Professor Serge Wich. He was part of the team that identified the Tapanuli orangutan as a new species in North Sumatra, Indonesia. But the Tapanuli orangutans’ last rainforest refuge is under threat from massive infrastructure projects – including a UK-owned gold mine. Read his blog, where he explains why these remarkable great apes are threatened and how we can protect them. ORANGUTAN EXPERT EXPLAINS Photo of Serge smiling with rainforest in the background and binoculars over his shoulder beside a close up photo or an orangutan among foliage Trump’s climate claims – a reality check With climate-denier Donald Trump taking up his second US presidency, we’ve got a lot to tackle this year. We’re doing all we can to challenge Trump’s fact-free climate denial. So we stood united with fellow climate and social justice organisations at the Together Against Trump demonstration earlier this month. The next 4 years will be crucial for making progress on climate action, not rolling back. We’ve fact-checked some of the more provocative things Trump has said about climate change – take a look. TRUMP DEBUNKED How to eat more sustainably Veganuary is just about over, but there’s always time to turn over a new leaf and try more sustainable eating habits that suit you. Find out how reducing our meat and dairy consumption can help people and planet. HOW CAN MY EATING HABITS HELP? Sowing our second Postcode Gardener in Wales Forgotten green spaces will be given a new lease of life as our newest Postcode Gardener project launches today in the Welsh village of Cwmtyleri. Cwmtyleri was badly hit by November’s Storm Bert, when rainfall caused a landslide at a nearby coal tip. In the face of adversity, the community are coming together to revitalise their area. And harness nature to protect against worsening climate-induced extreme weather. Our second Postcode Gardener in Wales is part of our pioneering programme in partnership with The Co-Operative Bank. It will encourage nature to return to the area and support people and wildlife to thrive. CHECK OUT ALL OUR PROJECTS Northern Ireland’s gas storage legal win stands In case you missed it before the winter holidays, we’ve got some excellent news about our successful legal challenge of a massive gas storage project under County Antrim’s east coast seabed. In December, the Supreme Court refused the Northern Ireland government’s application to appeal the result. This means our win still stands. This isn’t only a win for Northern Ireland’s communities and wildlife. This fossil fuel development was meant to hold 25% of the UK's total gas supply. So, it's a huge win for people and planet. We’ve come a long way, so read the full story. READ THE WHOLE STORY And finally, I’m sure you’ve heard the news that after 15 months, a desperately needed ceasefire in Gaza has been reached. This is profoundly needed for the people of Gaza, including our colleagues in Palestine Friends of the Earth/PENGON. They've lived through this war which has seen the loss of so many lives and the destruction of their environment. Though this ceasefire is fragile, we live in hope that it will hold and marks a step towards peace and justice. Find out more about why we’re taking action on Palestine. Thanks for reading. Look out for your next climate and nature round-up in the spring. Take care, Aleanna Shaughnessy Supporter Relations Manager, Friends of the Earth About us Supporter promise Privacy policy Contact us DONATE This email was sent to spanishjohnedwards@gmail.com Want to change how you receive these emails? Unsubscribe from this list We send communications to our supporters who have opted in to receive emails from us. Friends of the Earth Limited. Reg. No. 01012357. Incorporated in England and Wales. Registered office: Friends of the Earth The Printworks 139 Clapham Road London, SW9 0HP United Kingdom Copyright © Friends of the Earth Limited