#WriteCBC task from Anna Davis: I'd you to write a mini-scene or story which features a goodbye. It can be poignant, humorous, dark, exciting, strange or whatever you like. Your goodbye should be the end of something and also a beginning – make me want to read on!

It started after they waved their youngest off. He'd suggested his wife lose weight before but now? One new drug and poof! Half disappeared! He hated the haircut too. Next came 'decluttering' (none of his stuff thank God). Now she wanted a job. What next?! He glanced in the mirror. Surely not...

Our €1M offer to create a Climate Nobel Prize Ecosia has just deposited €1,000,000 with a notary in Berlin to spark a Climate Nobel Prize. Here’s why.

There is currently no Nobel Prize dedicated to consistently rewarding efforts to keep our planet liveable. Ecosis thinks there should be (and I agree) blog.ecosia.org/climate-nobe...

Rich countries have lost enthusiasm for tackling climate crisis, says Cop30 chief Brazil’s André Corrêa do Lago says countries should follow China’s lead on clean energy as conference begins * Cop30: what are the main issues? * Net zero to NDCs: your Cop30 jargon buster Rich countries have lost enthusiasm for combating the climate crisis while China is surging ahead in producing and using clean energy equipment, the president of the UN climate talks has said. More countries should follow China’s lead instead of complaining about being outcompeted, said André Corrêa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat in charge of the Cop30 conference, which begins on Monday. Continue reading...

Rich countries have lost enthusiasm for tackling climate crisis, says Cop30 chief

‘New reality’: Hurricane Melissa strength multiplied by climate crisis, study says Winds of Melissa’s strength are now five times more frequent due to the climate crisis, research says

Research confirms the devastation caused to people and communities by Hurricane Melissa was made worse by the #ClimateCrisis.

We still have the power to change our future, only if we act now.

Something governments should keep in mind at #COP30 next week.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

#WriteCBC task from @jessicabull.bsky.social: Write an exchange in which a character says one thing but communicates something else entirely. Allow your narrator to draw their own conclusions as to what is really being said. Extra points if you make it festive!

"He's behind you!" There was an edge to El's voice. It was Charming's cue but she said it to me, our eyes meeting under Daisy's drooping lashes. Tom! I'd assumed he'd had backache earlier - common when you're playing the rear. But if it was him she'd beaten off? Well he'd struggle to run away now.

#WriteCBC task from @unheimlichmanvr.bsky.social: Halloween is coming, so let’s introduce a spooky setting! The house lights dim, and the curtain rises on your location: where are we? What small details intrigue us in the opening lines? And why does it make us feel subtly uneasy?

Silver patches rise like ghosts on the path ahead. It's the moon, she thinks. But it's also the trees. They know death. Have grown twisted following its progress across the graveyard. Their branches lift on a breeze she cannot feel. It whispers though. She starts running. It's her name #WriteCBC

#WriteCBC task from @rowancoleman.bsky.social: One way to imbue authenticity into a character is to discover their secrets. What memento do they keep in their beside drawer? Write a scene involving this memento. What subtle secret does this reveal? What does this tell you about the character?

At first she'd feared the chirruping would give her away. Now only silence filled the drawer and it was deafening. Daylight revealed the sad clump of feathers inside. So tiny, so fragile. It reminded her of herself, except freedom hadn't come too late for her. She must never forget that. #writeCBC

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights Amendment to crime and policing bill will change law to end prosecution of women who terminate pregnancies * UK politics live – latest updates British MPs have voted to decriminalise abortion, marking the biggest step forward in reproductive rights in almost 60 years. In an amendment to the government’s crime and policing bill, parliament voted to change the criminal laws that govern abortion in England and Wales so that women procuring their own termination outside the legal framework cannot be prosecuted. Continue reading...

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights

Keen to find out which of these inspired and inspiring writers is going to win! @womensprize.bsky.social #books

#writeCBC Good omen: he has red hair like my first crush. Bad? He's in short sleeves and the rain's made an angel tattoo on one smooth bicep weep. As he hands me the bag, he smiles. Decision made. I slip my stolen scrap into his fingers. Soft, warm, human. His eyes widen as he reads my note: Help.

cardboard box labeled "poetry a-f"

How poetry is it?

Met raids Quaker meeting house and arrests six women at Youth Demand talk At least 20 officers forced their way into property and police said some present were planning direct action in London Police have raided a Quaker meeting house and arrested six women attending a gathering of the protest group Youth Demand. More than 20 uniformed police, some equipped with Tasers, forced their way into the Westminster meeting house at 7.15pm, according to a statement by the Quakers. Continue reading...

Met raids Quaker meeting house and arrests six women at Youth Demand talk

Conservative party to ditch commitment to net zero in UK by 2050 Break in cross-party consensus on issue to be announced on Tuesday

We don't want to be moving backwards. ❌

Right now, the UK is a world leader in rolling out renewable energy. Decarbonising our economy is the biggest business opportunity of the century. 🌍

Stepping back from climate action would be an out of touch move.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The 10 largest contributors to historical CO2 emissions*

*fossil emissions only, not including land use.

From one of our data insights this week: ourworldindata.org/data-insight...

Sea life along Norfolk coast under new threat from toxic plastic The recent North Sea cargo collision has unleashed a devastating plastic spill, threatening Norfolk’s fragile wildlife and coastline

😢 Sea life along Norfolk coast under new threat from toxic plastic.

A recent North Sea cargo collision released a devastating plastic spill.

The RSPB reports it is threatening Norfolk’s fragile coastline wildlife at the start of nesting season. 🪺

18 maps showing decadal average temperature changes since 1850 to present, getting redder in recent decades

Mapping changes in temperature: every decade from the 1850s to 2020s

America’s clean air rules boost health and the economy − here’s what EPA’s new deregulation plans ignore Clean air has become one of America’s best investments, returning $10 for every $1 spent on regulations, by one estimate.

A professor of environmental sciences gives a quick punchy take on the "eye-popping" numbers re. how clean air promotes economic growth.

An EPA analysis of 20 years of the Clean Air Act (1970-90) found the economic benefits of the regulations were about 42X greater than the costs.

No pay wall.

‘The sewage scandal ends now’: UK water company fines to be used to clean up rivers After fears £11m would be diverted to Treasury, money will be spent on restoring polluted areas where penalties issued Millions of pounds of fines imposed on water firms will fund environmental schemes to protect the country’s waterways after fears the…

‘The sewage scandal ends now’: UK water company fines to be used to clean up rivers

🚨 BREAKING: The government has just committed to NOT issuing new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea.

This is a HUGE WIN for the climate 💚

The house conspired with my Aunt to put visitors in their place. I had to bow my head to enter but the walls inside were impossibly tall. Salt greased the windows; the glass tasted of tears. Where the view drowned me, the stubborn house held its face to the spray, kept its watch on the sea #writeCBC

50% GDP Collapse Ahead? Actuaries Sound The Alarm—Who’s Listening? A 50% GDP collapse? Actuaries warn of economic devastation if we fail to act on climate risk. Entire industries could crumble—Why are we ignoring the warning?

For years, climate scientists have warned us. Now, the very people who calculate financial risk—actuaries—are sounding the alarm. Their latest report projects a 50% collapse in global GDP within decades...

@forbes www.forbes.com/sites/we-don...

Scientists Discover Low-Cost Way to Trap Carbon Using Common Rocks – And it Could Help Farmers Too Stanford chemists find a practical, low-cost way to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the air—the main driver of climate change.

Scientists Discover Low-Cost Way to Trap Carbon Using Common Rocks – And it Could Help Farmers Too www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-d...

Save The Prince Charles Cinema The future of the iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End is under serious threat! We are beyond disappointed that our landlords, Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion...

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

BREAKING: We’ve WON a historic case against the Rosebank & Jackdaw oil & gas fields. 🎉

👏 NO NEW OIL AND GAS! 📣

This is GAME-CHANGING.

And it’s ONLY been possible thanks to YEARS of fighting by THOUSANDS of climate campaigners! Power to the people. ✊