THE Grapevine

JO IMMIG Jo is an environmental scientist, photographer and writer. She has worked in the environment movement for decades and is co-ordinator of the National Toxics Network, an organisation dedicated to creating a toxic-free future. She has written many articles for magazines and is the author of two books: Toxic Playground and Safer Solutions. A PERSONAL PLEA In 2023, the planet experienced the hottest year since records began: crippling heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods. The climate emergency is no longer something in the future — it’s happening now. As an environmental news column writer, it’s impossible to avoid this rapidly escalating situation. Everything else pales into insignificance. The United Nations called “code red for humanity” in 2021 and things have deteriorated even further since then. It’s understandable some people cope by tuning out and getting…