Top articles of the week: August 23

This week on Blue & Green Tomorrow, Kellogg’s has committed to sourcing all of its major ingredients responsibly by 2020.

We also reported on a poll that found 80% of MPs lack basic understanding of where the UK’s money comes from. Finally, in other news, a study has found that half of the world could face extreme water scarcity by 2095.

1. Earth Overshoot Day: planet is now in ‘ecological deficit’

Tom Revell: Today is Earth Overshoot Day, the day after which humanity has exhausted its annual budget of ecological resources, according to data from the Global Footprint Network thinktank. Read more.

2. Poll: three quarters of MPs don’t understand how money is made

Tom Revell: Some 80% of MPs lack basic understanding of where the UK’s money comes from, according to a new poll. Read more.

3. Half of world could face extreme water scarcity by 2095

Charlotte Malone: Without climate change mitigation policies, half of the world could face extreme water scarcity before the end of the century, a study has found. However, researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) also warned that poorly planned policies could exacerbate the crisis. Read more.

4. Hundreds of anti-fracking protestors to march on Blackpool Pier

Tom Revell: On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of protestors will march along the Blackpool seaside in a demonstration against fracking. Read more.

5. Apple bans hazardous chemicals from supply chain after investor pressure

Tom Revell: Tech giant Apple has banned the use of two hazardous chemicals in its production line, after investors urged the firm to better protect the workers in its supply chain. Read more.

6. Iceland raise volcanic eruption alert to orange

Richard Heasman: Swarms of seismic activity in and around an Icelandic volcano have caused authorities to raise the eruption alert to the second highest, with magma levels remaining stable. Read more.

7. Tories ‘out of touch’ with British public on renewable energy

Jemma Collins: A new poll conducted by ComRes on behalf of REG Windpower has found that almost four out of five Conservative MPs are opposed to onshore wind, while the majority of the public say they would be happy to have offshore wind in their area. Read more.

8. Scottish North Sea’s oil reserves six times higher than estimated, business group says

Ilaria Bertini: A new report from business organisation N-56 has said that revenue from oil in the Scottish North Sea could be as high as £365 billion over the next few decades, rather than the £57 billion previously estimated. Read more.

9. Wind power generates record high 22% of UK’s electricity

Richard Heasman: RenewableUK has confirmed that on Sunday 17th August, the UK’s wind power generated an average of 5,797 megawatts, 22% of the UK’s total energy output. Read more.

10. Kellogg’s commits to sustainability targets

Tom Revell: Food manufacturing giant Kellogg’s has committed to sourcing all of its major ingredients responsibly by 2020. Read more.

Photo: Clayton Fopp via Freeimages