The future we are working for

The biggest threat to human civilisation and the natural world is human-induced climate breakdown. 

Global emissions have increased by over 400% since 1950, with levels of CO2 at their highest concentration in the past 2 million years. This has forced UK average land temperature up by 1.2C to date and its effects on the environment are stark. 

Hot extremes and marine heatwaves have become more frequent, heavy precipitation events have increased and sea levels are rising at a dangerous rate.  With every additional tonne of CO2 and other greenhouse gases emitted, these changes to our climate system intensify.

We research and publish the ways in which this environmental context is linked to the causes and effects of poverty and how it can be avoided.

It is clear that people living in poverty are most ferociously affected by the climate crisis, as extreme weather and habitat changes interweave with existing vulnerabilities. Across the world, decreasing crop yields and water scarcity have and are escalating to famine, and coastal erosion and destruction of infrastructure forces mass migration. 

In the UK, those living in poverty are the most exposed to air pollution from burning fossil fuels, are more likely to live in housing that is unfit for extreme cold, warm or wet spells and are most vulnerable to increases in food prices due to climate change’s adverse impacts on agriculture. 

Whilst this picture is bleak, it is not too late to turn things around. The urgency of the climate crisis poses both our single greatest threat and a huge opportunity for social improvements in the UK.

By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in a way that uplifts, empowers and includes those living in poverty, climate systems changes can be slowed or stopped altogether and a more just society cultivated. 

We are bringing these issues to the attention of policymakers and calling for urgent action. 

Find out more about the change we’ve made so far.