From THE WESTERN JOURNAL At Castel Gandolfo last week, Pope Leo XIV managed to make global headlines—but not for preaching the gospel. Instead, he solemnly blessed a block of ice at the Raising Hope for Climate Justice conference. The gesture, intended as a symbol of melting glaciers and a warming world, was met with laughter and disbelief. “Will this become Holy Water?” one observer quipped online. Others were blunter: the papacy, they said, has become climate theater. The pope’s symbolism was meant to inspire. Instead, it revealed something troubling: the Vatican’s moral authority is being melted down into a prop for environmental politics. When the Bishop of Rome plays to the gallery with ice blocks and photo ops, the message is clear: faith is being repackaged to serve as a public relations tool. This spectacle was not an isolated event. It came paired with a speech in which Pope Leo condemned those who “minimize the increasingly evident impact of rising temperatures” and derided critics who “ridicule those who speak of global warming. ” It was a script that echoed Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which firmly planted the Roman Catholic Church in the middle of global climate activism. Leo XIV insisted, “We will raise hope by demanding that leaders act with courage, not delay. ” But these words ring less like pastoral guidance and more like political sloganeering. A shepherd’s role is to guide souls — not to issue rallying cries that could just as easily be lifted from a UN climate summit. The blessing of ice exposed the problem most starkly. A papal blessing traditionally sanctifies elements that nourish the life of the Roman Catholic Church: water for baptism, bread and wine for the Eucharist, oil for anointing. Here, ice was not consecrated for divine purposes, but conscripted as a prop for political messaging. That distinction matters. The sacraments draw their power from Christ, not from climate metaphors. When holy ritual is used as a stage device, it cheapens both the faith and the message. A block of ice cannot stand in for stewardship of creation, nor does blessing it advance the mission of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Leo also repeated the familiar claim that climate change hits the poor hardest, and that skeptics are “blaming the poor for the very thing that affects them the most. ” But here again, rhetoric outruns reality. In practice, it is the poor who suffer most under the weight of climate policies themselves. High energy costs, stifled development, and curtailed opportunities are the bitter fruits of the “green” agenda. Europe’s recent energy crisis, driven by overreliance on renewables and a retreat from affordable fossil fuels, left families struggling to heat their homes. Across Africa, development is stifled by Western climate aid packages tied to restrictions that prevent industrial growth. These policies, cheered on by elites, deepen poverty rather than relieving it. Yet the pope reserves his sharpest criticism not for policymakers, but for skeptics. This is not the first time the Roman Catholic Church has tied itself to a scientific consensus. The Galileo affair remains a cautionary tale: doctrine was entangled with prevailing science, and when that science shifted, Rome’s credibility collapsed. Today, climate models — uncertain, politicized, and often wrong — are treated as moral absolutes from the pulpit. It is a dangerous repetition of history. Yes, the climate changes. But the leap from “some warming” to “existential crisis requiring radical global transformation” is not theology — it is ideology. The papacy should never mistake one for the other. As a Roman Catholic, I want to be clear: I do not deny the call to stewardship of creation, nor do I reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals. But I cannot support the Holy See when it uses the papal office to advance politicized views on climate science. My disagreement is not with the faith but with a misguided application of it. The pope’s duty is to lead souls to Christ, not to serve as a spokesman for contested policies. Scripture is clear: we are to care for the Earth. But stewardship is not synonymous with political posturing or theatrical stunts. Blessing blocks of ice may make headlines, but it does nothing to strengthen faith or lift the burdens of the poor. The Roman Catholic Church’s mission is eternal salvation, not temporal activism. Its message should be timeless, not tied to the agenda of climate conferences. If Pope Leo truly wishes to raise hope, he would do better to preach than pontificate. For Roman Catholics, salvation will never be measured in tons of CO₂ — but in faith, truth, and fidelity to the gospel. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here

'How growing a sunflower helped me fight anorexia' 1 day ago Share Save Malcolm Prior and Jenny Kumah BBC News rural affairs team Share Save Andy Alcroft/BBC Emily Hough is now using her experiences to help shape nature prescribing schemes For Emily Hough, nature was too often simply something "out there", a world apart from her, a view from a hospital window. Years spent in and out of specialist mental health units in Birmingham and London, being treated for the eating disorder she had had since the age of 12, meant she felt little connection with the countryside or interest in the everyday flora and fauna around her. That was until five years ago, when a hospital occupational therapist gave her an unusual prescription: Grow a sunflower. "I'll be honest I'd never planted anything in my life," Ms Hough said. "But I planted that sunflower and, just watching it grow, from me watering it and from me protecting it from the shade, helped me feel connected for the first time and really be able to appreciate what was around me - and how I can make a difference to nature and what nature can actually do for me. "I was in a hospital at that point, so it was very limited. Fast forward five years, here we are today. " Getty Images Green social prescribing encourages people to take part in nature-based activities to benefit their health and wellbeing From those early roots, Ms Hough, now 35, embraced what is formally called by the NHS "green social prescribing", where GPs and health practitioners refer patients to organisations that offer nature-based activities, whether that be hiking, birdwatching, rockpooling or looking after a city-based allotment. It is supposed to complement other more mainstream treatments and therapies and has been a key part of the government's 10-year plan for the NHS in England. The scheme may not work for everyone but for Ms Hough, who has now relocated from Solihull to a life in the countryside, the benefits have been profound. She is now out of hospital and has become what the NHS calls an "Expert by Experience" (EbE) - someone who uses that experience to design and evaluate new health services. She helped shape the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)'s flagship "nature prescription" scheme for the West Midlands, launched earlier this year. On Friday – World Mental Health Day - the scheme marks the training of its 100th health professional, with enough resources to support 1,000 patients accessing nature-based activities. Andy Alcroft/BBC Dom Higgins, from the Wildlife Trusts, saids the evidence in favour of green social prescribing was clear But the future of green social prescribing is uncertain. Despite a four-year national pilot that ended in March being judged a success by an independent evaluation of its first two years, there is concern that the onus for funding these schemes is being left to charities. Organisations, including The Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB and the Ocean Conservation Trust, are calling on the government to commit more funding to nature prescription schemes and to roll them out, beyond their initial seven trial areas. Dom Higgins, head of health and education for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "It is unequivocal that nature improves mental health. "I think the time for questioning the evidence is really over and people within the system and the NHS and decision makers get this. "It's just we need the mechanism to make it available everywhere. It's time to seriously fund prevention and opportunities for people to create good health in the neighbourhoods where they live and work. " The national pilot scheme saw nearly 8,500 people prescribed nature activities in its first two years, with more than half those patients living in socio-economically deprived areas. Chris Dayson, professor of voluntary action, health and wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University, who was part of the team that evaluated the scheme, said it brought "a really statistically significant increase in wellbeing" for patients. The evaluation also found the scheme brought an economic social return - not least of all by getting people back into work - of £2. 42 for every £1 invested. When approached by the BBC, the government did not comment on the future of green social prescribing but said the evaluation of the second two years of the trial scheme would be published "in due course"

Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win' 22 hours ago Share Save Helen Briggs BBC environment correspondent Share Save Getty Green turtles are large sea turtles found in tropical and subtropical oceans, known for their plant-based diet and reliance on beaches for nesting The green turtle has been rescued from the brink of extinction in what scientists are calling a major conservation victory. Once hunted extensively for turtle soup, its eggs as a delicacy and decorative shells, the ancient mariner saw its numbers plummet and has been listed as endangered since the 1980s. Now, thanks to decades of global conservation efforts - from protecting eggs and releasing hatchlings on beaches to reducing accidental capture in fishing nets - new data shows green turtle populations are rebounding. "We must use this win as a catalyst to achieve numerous other wins," said Dr Nicolas Pilcher of the Marine Research Foundation, a non-profit based in Sabah, Malaysia. Getty Green turtle hatchling heading for the ocean after emerging from a nest buried in sand Green turtles are one of the largest species of sea turtles, named for the greenish colour of their body fat, which comes from their plant-based diet. They are one of seven living species of sea turtles, two of which are critically endangered. Prof Brendan Godley, a conservation scientist at the University of Exeter, said green turtle populations in many parts of the world are showing signs of recovery because of conservation over the last five decades, and while this work must continue for years to come, it gives cause for optimism. "Sea turtles are iconic and charismatic species. they inspire people," he said. "Hundreds of thousands of people have been working for decades to try and look after these creatures, and undoubtedly, it has had an impact. " The conservation efforts include patrolling beaches, protecting females and their eggs at nesting sites, releasing hatchlings into the sea, education and awareness to reduce turtles being killed for meat and eggs, and using measures to stop turtles being captured in fishing nets. Getty A green sea turtle tangled in a fishing net off Pangasinan in the Philippines was rescued by local fishermen, tagged by environment officials, and safely released back into the sea The latest Red List of endangered species was revealed at the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) world congress in Abu Dhabi. The unenviable list now includes 172,620 species, of which 48,646 are threatened with extinction. Species are moved between categories when new data shows changes in their population, habitat or threats. If a species becomes more at risk - for example, its numbers fall or its habitat is damaged - it may be moved to a higher-risk category such as Endangered; if it recovers thanks to conservation efforts, it may shift to a lower-risk category like Near Threatened or Least Concern. The green turtle has been downgraded from Endangered to Least Concern. However, despite recent gains, green turtles are still far below their historic numbers due to past overexploitation and ongoing threats like fishing, habitat loss and climate change. In places like Raine Island, Australia, fewer baby turtles are hatching, showing that conservation efforts are still urgently needed. Kit Kovacs Bearded seal pup on ice

Water bills to rise further for millions after appeal 20 hours ago Share Save Faarea Masud Business reporter Share Save Getty Images Millions of households in England will have to pay higher water bills than previously announced after the UK's competition body agreed to let five water companies increase charges. The companies - Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, Wessex and South East - had asked for permission to raise bills by more than the amount previously agreed by the regulator, Ofwat. They argued the rises set by Ofwat - which average 36% over the next five years – were not enough to deliver better infrastructure. A panel appointed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now said the bills can rise on average by an extra 3% - about £12 per year - partly due to the companies facing higher borrowing costs. An independent group of experts appointed by the CMA said that Anglian and Northumbrian could increase their bills by a further 1%, Southern by 3%, South East by 4% and Wessex by 5%. The five water companies serve more than 7 million household and business customers, and had asked for much larger increases to bills than the ones granted. The group appointed by the CMA said the firms had asked to increase bills to raise a total of £2. 7bn in extra revenue, but it had allowed only 21% of this, equating to an additional £556m. "We've found that water companies' requests for significant bill increases, on top of those allowed by Ofwat, are largely unjustified," said Kirstin Baker, who chaired the group of experts. "We understand the real pressure on household budgets and have worked to keep increases to a minimum, while still ensuring there is funding to deliver essential improvements at reasonable cost. " The CMA's proposals are provisional and Ofwat and the water firms have a chance to respond before the CMA's final conclusion in a few months. Water companies finance much of their investment plans with borrowed money. The CMA said part of the reason it had allowed a rise was because interest rates on those loans have risen, making it more expensive for the firms to carry out their plans. Troubled firm Thames Water also appealed for higher price rises, but has deferred its case until late October while it tries to fix a rescue bid. Water firms have been told by authorities to fix outdated infrastructure which has been found to be the cause of much river and water pollution. The Environment Agency said serious pollution incidents by water firms went up by around 60% in a year. Water Minister Emma Hardy said she expected every water company to "offer proper support to anyone struggling to pay". Citizens Advice's Anne Pardoe said: "Ramping up water bills, when people up and down the country are already rationing showers and cutting down on laundry, is going to stretch budgets beyond breaking point". She called for the introduction of a national social tariff, in order to help people from low-income households pay for essential bills. Social tariffs are offered by some companies offering services such as broadband and energy, and allow those on benefits access to cheaper bills, although criteria differ from firm to firm

Naked mole rats' DNA could hold key to long life 12 hours ago Share Save Victoria Gill Science correspondent, BBC News Share Save Washington Post via Getty Images Naked mole rats live for up to 40 years, compared to about three years for a mouse They are weird, bald, subterranean rodents that look like sausages with teeth, and they have just revealed a genetic secret to long life. A new study of the bizarre naked mole rat shows that the animals have evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain their longevity. These burrow-dwelling rats have a maximum life span of nearly 40 years, making them the world's longest-lived rodent. The new findings, published in the journal Science, could also shed light on why naked mole rats are resistant to a wide range of age-related diseases. The animals are resistant to cancer, deterioration of the brain and spinal cord, and arthritis, so many scientists want to understand more about how their bodies work. For this study, led by a team at Tonji University in Shanghai, China, the focus was DNA repair - a natural process in our bodies' cells. When strands of DNA - our genetic building blocks - are damaged, a mechanism is triggered whereby another undamaged strand of DNA is used as a template to repair the break. The focus of this research was on a particular protein that is involved in that system of damage sensing and repair. When a cell senses the damage, one of the substances it produces is a protein called c-GAS. That plays several roles, but what was of interest to these scientists is that in humans, it interferes with and hampers the process by which DNA is knitted back together. Scientists think that this interference could promote cancer and shorten our lifespan. In naked mole rats though, the researchers found that the exact same protein does the opposite. It helps the body mend strands of DNA and keeps the genetic code in each cell intact. Whale menopause linked to longer lifespan Mutations across species reveal clue to ageing BBC Future: What naked mole rats can teach us about treating cancer Chicago Tribune via Getty Images Naked mole rats live in a network of underground tunnels and chambers

Fossil found on Dorset coast is unique 'sword dragon' species 6 hours ago Share Save Jonah Fisher Environment correspondent Share Save Dean Lomax Ichthyosaur experts Dr Dean Lomax and Professor Judy Massare with the 185m year old skeleton A near-complete skeleton found on Dorset's Jurassic coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans. The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and is the only known example of its kind. Scientists say that marks on its skull suggest that the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a bite to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur. First discovered by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001 the new ichthyosaur was then acquired by a museum in Canada. Dean Lomax The skull of the "sword dragon" has a huge eye socket and a mark on its head that suggests it may have been attacked by another larger ichthyosaur It has only recently been fully analysed by experts and a paper published identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur. "I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored authored the paper identifying the skeleton as a new species. "Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years. " Getty Images This is a what ichthyosaurs may have looked like. This particular species is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in the ichthyosaur evolution. " The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has several features that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur. Scientists say the strangest detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril. The skull has an enormous eye socket and a long sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid. There are also clues as to how this particular specimen lived and died. "The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still alive, " said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell from the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart. "The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely another much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous prospect. " The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s. Chris Moore Chris Moore discovered the 'sword dragon' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset after a storm

Chemistry Nobel awarded for work on new materials that could help planet "How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting," he added. "I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much," said Professor Kitagawa on the phone to a press conference after he was told the news. The three scientists' work could tackle some of the biggest problems on our planet, including capturing carbon dioxide to help tackle climate change and reducing plastic pollution using chemistry. The Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their work on metal-organic frameworks. Professor Kitagawa works at Kyoto University in Japan, Professor Richard Robson is at University of Melbourne, Australia, and Professor Omar M Yaghi is at the University of California, US. The three winners will share prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (£872,000). The scientists' work is about how molecules can be built together into structures - or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The Nobel committee called it "molecular architecture". The men worked out how to build constructions with large spaces between the molecules, through which gases and other chemicals can flow. These "rooms" can be used to capture and store chemicals that humans want to get rid of, including carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or so-called forever chemicals, also known as PFAS. The scientists began working independently on the structures in the 1970s and 1980s. Prof Robson asked his university to drill holes into the lab worktops so that wooden balls - representing atoms - could be attached to wooden rods, representing chemical bonds. So far MOFs have only been used on a small-scale, but companies are looking into whether they can be mass-produced. One potential application is to break down harmful gases, including those used in nuclear weapons. Companies are also testing whether they can be used to capture the planet-warming gas carbon dioxide from power stations and factories. Professor Robson, who was born in North Yorkshire but has been based at the University of Melbourne since 1966, told BBC Newshour that the news "wasn't a big surprise [because of] all sorts of sounds I've been hearing over the years". When asked about the potential applications of his work he urged caution: "There's talk about binding CO2 and solving the world's atmospheric problems, which don't sound realistic to me - but these sorts of compounds could do that sort of job on a small scale". The 88-year-old professor admits the prize money "is the main thing actually in my head. It wasn't the driving force for all of this but at this stage in my life that's a very nice thought to have". The award is another indicator of the value of chemistry in addressing some of the planet's hardest problems. "Every year we see Nobel Prizes given to chemists who welcome the challenge of finding solutions to the biggest problems our global society faces – better healthcare, environmental protection, clean energy, and secure food and water for everyone," said Dr Annette Doherty, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry in Britain

King Charles hopes nature film will 'inspire' viewers 9 hours ago Share Save Sean Coughlan Royal correspondent Share Save Millie Pilkington/ King's Foundation King Charles held a "harmony summit" at Highgrove in the summer, where this photograph was taken King Charles says he wants to inspire a "sense of determination" to protect the environment, as details are announced of a TV documentary in which he will explain his philosophy of "harmony" and the need "to work with rather than against nature". The King's Foundation says the feature-length TV film, provisionally titled Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, will be screened on Amazon's Prime Video early next year. "Never has it been more important for the world to make a concerted effort to protect and prioritise our planet, and to restore our relationship with it," the monarch said about the project. In the film the King will reflect on his own decades of campaigning for sustainability. The King said it was his "fondest hope that this film may encourage a new audience to learn about the philosophy of harmony - and perhaps inspire the same sense of determination it has given me to help build a more sustainable future". The King has appeared in a behind-the-scenes BBC film about the Coronation, but this will be a more unusual approach in looking at his beliefs. "For much of my life I have sought to promote and encourage ways we can work with, rather than against nature. In other words, to restore balance to our planet which is under such stress," said the King. The one-off documentary will show how he believes humans are "part of nature, not apart from nature" and that a healthy connection with nature is at "the core of human wellbeing". With examples from around the world, the documentary will show how the philosophy of harmony can be applied to agriculture, traditional craft skills, architecture and town planning. "This film will, I hope, demonstrate just some of the remarkable work being done around the world to put harmony into practice, from the forests of Guyana to sustainable communities in India – and, closer to home, through the work of my King's Foundation at Dumfries House and Highgrove," said the King. King's Foundation The King heard from Indigenous peoples about the importance of living with nature

Physics Nobel awarded to three scientists for work on quantum computing 17 hours ago Share Save Georgina Rannard Science reporter Share Save Getty Images The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Martinis for their work on quantum mechanics that is paving the way for a new generation of very powerful computers. "There is no advanced technology used today that does not rely on quantum mechanics, including mobile phones, cameras. and fibre optic cables," said the Nobel committee. The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden. "To put it mildly, it was a surprise of my life," said Professor John Clarke, who was born in Cambridge, UK and now works at the University of California in Berkeley. Devoret was born in Paris, France and is a professor at Yale University while John M. Martinis is a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. The three winners will share prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (£872,000). The Nobel committee recognised breakthrough work performed by the three men in a series of experiments in the 1980s on electrical circuits. In the words of the committee, "the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit". Even for a field often considered dense, this discovery sounds bewildering. Getty Images But its implications have been profound and far-reaching. The electronic devices that most of us use rely on it, and the findings are being used to build extremely powerful computers. "This is something that leads to development of the quantum computer. Many people are working on quantum computing, our discovery is in many ways the basis of this," said Prof Clarke on the phone to the news conference moments after he was told he had won. He appeared mystified that his work completed forty years ago is worthy of science's most prestigious prize. "I'm completely stunned. At the time we did not realise in any way that this might be the basis for a Nobel prize," he said. Quantum mechanics relates to the behaviour of tiny things in a tiny world. It refers to what particles like the electron do in the sub-atomic world. Professor Clarke and his team looked at how these particles appeared to break rules like travelling through energy barriers that conventional physics said was impossible - something called "tunnelling". Using quantum "tunnelling", the electron manages to burrow through the energy barrier. Their work demonstrated that tunnelling can be reproduced not only in the quantum world, but also in electrical circuits in the 'real world'. This knowledge has been harnessed by scientists in making modern quantum chips. "This is wonderful news indeed, and very well deserved," said Professor Lesley Cohen, Associate Provost in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London. "Their work has laid the foundations for superconducting Qubits - one of the main hardware technologies for quantum technologies. " Previous winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics

Dazzling supermoon illuminates skylines around the world Sky-watchers across the globe were treated to a supermoon this week, appearing brighter and larger in the evening sky. A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its perigee in orbit, meaning it is at its closest point to the Earth. This is a special supermoon known by multiple names. It's called the Hunter's Moon because it's the first full moon in October. The name harks back to historic preparations for winter in the northern hemisphere, where people would hunt and preserve meats. It's also called Harvest Moon, designated to the full moon that rises closest to the autumn equinox (22 September). Its nickname recalls a time when farmers would use the moon's brightness to collect crops in the evening