Across the world nature is in retreat.
More than one million species are at risk of extinction because of over-development, pollution and the climate crisis.
Poaching is also on the rise, as we report today from Uganda. Since 2018 dozens of hippos, giraffes, elephants and lions have been illegally slaughtered in the African country.
Next week the United Nations will hold a summit in Montreal, Canada, to try to halt the loss of our precious biodiversity.
The gathering has been billed as the “best and last chance” to reverse the decline of the planet’s plants and animals.
Governments will be asked to sign up to binding targets to protect the natural world.
However, as it stands, not a single world leader is scheduled to attend the meeting.
Yet there has been a procession of presidents and prime ministers at the World Cup in Qatar.
Surely saving the beauty of the planet should come ahead of the beautiful game?
Level learning
Keir Starmer has the public on his side when it comes to ending unfairness in our education system.
A poll shows a clear majority back his plan to remove public schools’ charitable status.
The Labour leader wants to scrap the £1.7billion worth of tax breaks handed to fee-paying institutions and use the money to pay for more teachers, mental health support and careers advice in the state sector.
Rishi Sunak calls it an attack on aspiration.
The only attack on aspiration is a Tory party which supports a system which allows a privileged elite to dominate senior roles in public life by erecting barriers to those less well-off.
Opportunity should be available to everyone, regardless of their background.
League apart
You could write a book on Rob Burrow’s heroics on and off the rugby league pitch.
So he’s an inspired choice to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story and show that reading is a pleasure available to everyone.
