Here we go… #COP30 🇧🇷

The #COP30 Leaders Summit begins today in Belém, Brazil, marking the start of two weeks of vital negotiations at this year’s United Nations climate conference. This morning, I had the privilege of speaking with Justin Webb on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme about the summit.

Thoughts on the Innocent smoothie knitted hats? What do you think? (PS - Innocent is owned by Coca-Cola…) I get that they’re raising money for charity, and volunteers do this out of love to raise money for a good cause…but it seems really wasteful?

AD 🌍 I took a trip to the Vattenfall Aberdeen Bay Offshore Windfarm to hear about how renewable energy and nature can thrive together! youtube.com/shorts/ukQ6b...

Time to responsibly recycle the old business cards — I recently got married and my surname is now Laura Anderson (previously Young).

#AD Another day out on the Trossachs Explorer bus which goes from Drymen to Callendar, connecting places like Stirling and Glasgow (and further afield) easily to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park by public transport!

Went for a coffee at the North Lanarkshire Council café in Strathclyde Country Park today after Parkrun and tried to hand over my reusable cup. The response? A standoffish “we don’t do those.”

It was an honour to give the closing keynote for the International Fair Trade Towns Conference 2025 which was held in Edinburgh. Thanks to Fair Trade Scotland for the invitation, it was a wonderful day.

🦷Another pointless plastic item is clogging up our streets, beaches and seas: single-use dental flossers. Until we get a global deal on plastic pollution, we’ll keep highlighting these wasteful items & demanding action. 📰Read more @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2535869...

I enjoyed this little reclaimed street in London!🌳🪑☕️🚸What a treat in amoungst busy roads and pavements to have a little oasis with people prioritised, plenty of seating & some nice greenery to go with it. I also enjoyed the old double yellow lines being incorporated into another seating place!

Earlier this month I caught up with @r-dixon.bsky.social , the new Chair of @envstanscot.bsky.social . I found out more about his work, and the work of Environmental Standards Scotland, including how you can get in touch if you have any environmental concerns. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcHz...

Disposable vapes were banned in the UK in June 2025, but has the problem gone away? 🤔🌬️ In the latest #GreenAlliancePodcast, Libby Peake spoke to Scott Butler (Material Focus), Dr Mike McKean (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) and me about the campaign behind the ban.

The Climate Action Leadership Programme (CALP) is a unique opportunity for 18 - 35 year olds in Scotland to grow as leaders and take action! Find out more and apply by the 29th of July at midnight: www.2050.scot/calp #Youth #Scotland #Climate #Leadership

ad🚲🚌Did you know that there is a free bike bus running every Sunday until October 26th around the Inner Forth in Scotland? We went on a day trip from Troon using only public transport to check it out! This project is funded through the @heritagefunduk.bsky.social #innerforth #climateforth #AD

#Geographer @lesswastelaura.bsky.social says fast tech represents a new kind of environmental threat – the potentially toxic chemicals many contain & sheer volume & disposability. “We have never had throwaway technology like this before" #geographerinthenews www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

📣 We're delighted to announce Laura Young (@lesswastelaura.bsky.social), award-winning climate activist and environmental scientist, will chair this year’s national #CyclingScotlandConf. 📍 Dundee 📅 10 September 2025 🎟️ More info and tickets: cycling.scot/about/confer...

Always great to join the Sunday morning Faith Forum hour long programme on @bbcscotlandnewsnot.bsky.social - with Ronnie Convery and Tony Kearney (and Ani Rinchen Khandro remote)

Thanks to Mabel Banfield-Nwachi from @theguardian.com for focusing on "fast tech"! I was pleased to contribute to the piece, highlighting the almost single use smart tech that is using up valuable resources & contributing to a throwaway culture of plastics. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

✨ Last night was truly unforgettable. I’m honoured (and a little bit embarrassed!) to have received a Pride Of Scotland Award for Special Recognition, for my campaigning work around disposable vapes.

The Troon Beach Toy Library is HERE and it’s the cutest, most exciting new addition to our lovely promenade!! 🪣🪁⚽ 🏖️

ASH Scotland, ‪@keepscotbeautiful.bsky.social,‬ ‪@mcsuk.bsky.social and @lesswastelaura.bsky.social are welcoming Scotland's ban of single-use disposable e-cigarettes which comes into effect on Sunday (1 June 2025). Read about our #BanDisposableVapes campaign success story here: bit.ly/3Z98MjF

The ban on disposable vapes starts today. Good news for our environment and, hopefully, the start of a turnaround on vaping numbers among young teenagers. Thanks to everyone who made this happen, not least @lesswastelaura.bsky.social who campaigned for this tirelessly. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What is a single-use vape? Why are they being banned? What impact will this have on the public, environment and businesses? 🤨 🎥 Laura Young (LessWasteLaura) explains what the benefits of the ban on single-use vapes are and how the ban will be enforced. @lesswastelaura.bsky.social

The Single-Use Disposable Vape Ban is coming on Sunday 1st June! Are you ready?💨❌ Check out this with with Dundee City Council talking all about what’s happening… youtu.be/i7wbVS_oJJA?...

Great piece from @carbonbrief.org debunking the myth that high energy prices are the fault of net zero initiatives. www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-wh...

I’m incredibly honoured to be named one of The King's Foundation 35 Under 35. As an environmental scientist and campaigner, I’ve dedicated my work to driving systemic change and inspiring action on the climate and nature crises. #35under35

geogpod.podbean.com/e/episode-92... ** Listen now! @geographicalassoc.bsky.social ** @lesswastelaura.bsky.social

An absolute delight to be part of this today on BBCRadioScot with the great Cathy MacDonald. I loved talking with Rupa Mooker & @lesswastelaura.bsky.social on Pope Leo, VE Day, David Attenborough’s #OceanFilm & (male) friendship. A privilege. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

It was a joy to join The Social Hub for The Better Society Academy. I shared the stage with Charlie MacGregor, Christopher Marquis, Bertan Selim & Clover Hogan 🎤The day also included a session with @johnswinney.bsky.social the First Minister of Scotland.

The UK is not ready for climate change. Heatwaves, floods, coastal erosion - the impacts are growing, and today's @thecccuk.bsky.social report makes that clear. I've been on Times Radio, @rachelburden.bsky.social @bbc5live.bsky.social @bbcscotlandnewsnot.bsky.social & @wearestv.bsky.social 🎥📻

🐾 As a dog owner & environmental advocate, I’m constantly seeking sustainable solutions for pet care. Some thoughts in this Guardian article “The poop scoop: is bagging it really the best solution?”, which delves into the challenges of disposing of dog waste. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Not picking up dog poo and littering storming out in front when it comes to behaviours we Brits can't stand!

What will the proposed #ECOCIDE bill in #Scotland mean for jobs, justice and the economy? Don't miss this (in-person) panel event @ Scottish Trade Union Congress 2025 in #Dundee on Tues 29 April! www.stopecocide.eart...#ECOCIDE#Scotland#Dundee#StopEcocide @monicalennon.bsky.social @lesswastelaura.bsky.social

Have you ever been paddleboarding and litter picking? Today I was out with @onplanetpatrol.bsky.social around Firhill in Glasgow!🏄🏽‍♀️♻️🗑️

Today, on Earth Day, I’m so excited to finally share that I am Girlguiding’s first ever Environment Ambassador! 🌍 This milestone moment also marks the launch of Girlguiding’s brand new Eco Award, a powerful initiative for girls aged 4–18 to take real action on climate change 🌱

Today I dropped in on the Saline & Steelend Environment Group litter pick as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean! We picked across the local park, collecting bagfuls of litter in around an hour. Most of my bag was chocolate, sweetie and crisp wrappers, plus many drinks cans & bottles.

Always a pleasure to join Martin Geissler on #Scotcast - today's topic, wildfires, drought, floods & climate change with @rorymiles.bsky.social 🔥🌍 The episode begins with the story of Kevin Booth and his abuse. If you want to skip over, we begin at 13m53s www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

A month on from our solar panel install with the Greener Energy Group and we’re using just 10% of the solar renewable energy we’re producing! Great to know we’re contributing to green energy going back into the grid!☀️⚡️🔋🌍

Refill station on the train!🚰 Small changes make a difference. I get a lot of trains with work, travelling across the UK quite regularly. Being able to refill your own water bottle is a big win, since often trains can be 4+ hours and you can easily finish a bottle of water and need a top up.

We invite all members/followers to our virtual AGM on Mon 28th April at 7pm. We’ll share our charity’s achievements & future plans. We are absolutely delighted to have as guest speaker @lesswastelaura.bsky.social who’ll share simple ways we can live more sustainably. #dogsofbluesky

I had the most inspiring visit with the talented D&A College Textiles students! They’re working on an incredible project, using waste materials to design a garment or interior piece for me as their fictional client - something I could wear or use at a panel discussion on the impact of fast fashion.

@lesswastelaura.bsky.social it was lovely to have you at our sustainability assembly recently. The children were raving about your fun, interesting and informative talk and they left buzzing with ideas. Our wellbeing Warriors loved their private Q&A session too! #learningforsustainability

📢ANALYSIS: UK emissions fell 3.6% in 2024 to lowest since 1872 🏭Coal lowest since 1666, when Great Fire ravaged London 🚗EVs pushed oil down despite more traffic, saving £1.7bn 🌇Gas down on "cleanest ever" power 📈📉Since 1990, CO2 -54% / GDP +84% www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/9

Buzzing to make my #Scotcast debut, chatting about litter!🗑️♻️ From overflowing bins to roadside rubbish, we’re tackling Scotland’s litter. I joined Martin Geissler, alongside Heather McLaughlin from @keepscotbeautiful.bsky.social and BBC’s Kevin Keane! 🎧 Listen www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Deforesting tens of thousands of acres of the Amazon rainforest for a road ahead of the #COP30 climate summit is 'disappointing' and 'frustrating', @lesswastelaura.bsky.social tells @stevehreports.bsky.social.

🚀 What an incredible two days at the Dynamic Earth School Careers Showcase 2025: Your Planet, Your Future! 🌍✨ We were thrilled to be part of this inspiring event, bringing together over 20 STEM organisations to engage with more than 1,000 learners and teachers!

Today, we heard the disappointing news that the #COP30 plans have included significant deforestation in Belém, Brazil, removing precious parts of the Amazon. Hear my thoughts from @bbc5live.bsky.social @chris-warburton.bsky.social & @lbc.co.uk @stevehreports.bsky.social lesswastelaura.com/media/

It's getting near impossible to defend the usefulness of the COP process when things like this happen and public approval crumbles. Optics matter. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Had an inspiring day attending the @eastrencouncil.bsky.social Learning for a Better World conference. Learners were passionate, creative and articulate about LfS. Encouraging to see the whole local authority coming together in this way to support #Target2030 #LfSforAll @lesswastelaura.bsky.social

A massive thank you to @lesswastelaura.bsky.social for delivering an inspirational assembly today about sustainability ♻️🌐 and the impact individuals can have in driving forward positive change in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Our P6/7s learned about the new laws that will be in place for single use vapes this summer🚭‼️ 🌍