2022 Summary – what happened? Environmental review

02 Feb 2022 Summary – what happened? Environmental review

There’s a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, but in 2022 there were some positive stories:

1. A huge carbon capture power station has won planning permission for the first time in the UK.

The Keadby 3 plant in north Lincolnshire is the first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project to be greenlit by the government.

The news came the same day as Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove approved a new coal mine in England – the first in 30 years, which will release an estimated 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent to 200,000 extra cars on the roads).

2. The Bishnoi community are India’s original eco-warriors.

Members of the Hindu sect – which has more than 1.5 million devotees – have been fighting to protect the environment for more than 500 years.

The community believes in the sanctity of all life, shunning meat and avoiding felling living trees.

Spread mostly in hamlets across the state of Rajasthan, members draw inspiration from Amrita Devi, a Bishnoi woman killed in 1730 while trying to protect a grove of khejari trees.

3. In 2022 three more UK universities have banned fossil fuel companies from recruiting on campus.

Career services at the University of Bedfordshire, University of the Arts London and Wrexham Glyndwr University have promised to end all relationships with oil, gas and mining recruiters.

The ban – a product of a passionate student-led campaign – comes three months after a similar move by Birkbeck, University of London.

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