The Independent is preparing to publish its third annual Climate 100 List, as the world continues to break records for high temperatures and is suffering more extreme weather and wild fires.
This year is set to be even hotter than last, with unprecedented drought across the UK and wildfires affecting large swathes of Europe, the US and Canada, driving home the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis.
Lord Deben, the former chairman of the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee, wrote recently in The Independent that "for the first time ever the British military has warned the government that climate change and the damage we have done to nature seriously threatens our national security", and urges the government to act now.
Already, the UK has faced multiple heatwaves this year, resulting in schools and nurseries closing, much of the country under a hosepipe ban and “tropical nights”, where the temperature doesn't drop below 20C. According to research from Greenpeace, the UK has become a nation "fundamentally unequipped to cope with rising temperatures caused by climate change".
Around the world, America has seen heatwaves affecting 50 million people, with temperatures up to 40C (105F) and wildfires across France and Spain have forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
The writing is clearly on the wall, but there's still a long way to go, which is why The Independent is continuing to be at the forefront of calling for climate action, and has long reported widely on the climate crisis' many facets during its now 40 years of publication.
The Climate 100 List celebrates 100 changemaking people from around the globe who are finding positive climate solutions across industries including agriculture, science, business, entertainment and tech.
As well as those who have dedicated their lives and careers to fighting the climate crisis, it champions people in grassroot movements and startups to amplify their voices and work to The Independent's global audience.
The list will be unveiled alongside The Independent's Climate 100 event, held in New York on September 22 and hosted by The Independent’s Editor-in-Chief, Geordie Greig. It will feature a keynote speech by former British foreign secretary David Miliband. Mr Miliband is now president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and oversees the agency’s operations in more than 40 crisis-affected countries.
"For 40 years, The Independent has led the way in reporting on the climate crisis," said Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent. "The Climate 100 List continues this work, and I am hugely proud of how it has grown in reach and ambition each year."
"At a time when governments and businesses around the world are backing out of climate commitments, it's crucial that inspiring individuals taking action are celebrated," said Zach Leonard, Executive Director of Foundation Development at The Independent. "Our Climate 100 list recognises these changemakers and highlights their work to a global audience – from environmental experts, to world leaders, to unsung heroes."
Each year, the list is compiled and reviewed by a dedicated team at The Independent, bar for five spots. These are left to our readers to nominate an unsung climate hero, making up the Reader's Choice section, which has been a key part of the list since its inception.
We know three out of four of our readers consider themselves to be environmentally friendly, and we want you to have your say, and once again we are asking readers to get involved and submit anyone they think deserves recognition for their positive impact on finding solutions for the climate. Whether it's a colleague, friend, family member, mentor or classmate – whoever it may be, we want to hear about the important work they're doing.
Submit your nominations for The Independent’s Climate 100 List using the form below:
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