As the smell of smoke and burning drifts around my neighbourhood from wildfires in nearby north Wales and Manchester, I worry that the consequences of this climate crisis are getting closer.

The decline of our planet is no longer just a physical threat; it is a mental health emergency. The Climate Cares Centre – the world’s first research hub dedicated to climate change and mental health – warns that the climate crisis is affecting the mental wellbeing of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

So navigating tricky emotions in the age of rapid climate change is a significant challenge.

According to 2024 survey by the independent research tracker Climate Barometer, worry (43%) and sadness (20%) are the most frequently felt emotions linked to climate change by the British public. Many people also stated: “I feel no emotion about climate change.” In a world full of competing crises, feelings linked to the climate crisis can be hard to put into words.

Herein lies the problem: some of these feelings are so profoundly new or still emerging that we do not possess the language to articulate them. And if we can’t name a feeling, how are we supposed to process it?

Linguist Helen Bromhead notes in her studies on environmental discourse that “new words can go from specialist areas into wider public spheres. Existing meanings of emotion words shape new coinages”. In effect, we reshape the words we already know to fit our new reality.

In his 2019 book Earth Emotions, environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht argues that we have lost our emotional bearings. In response, he created a psychoterratic (psyche-earth) vocabulary to help give us a map. His most famous coinage is the term solastalgia which he defines as “the homesickness you feel when you are still at home”. It is that kind of specific, localised grief you might feel when, for instance, a familiar beach is eroded by rising seas.

Today, the term solastalgia is used everywhere from the World Health Organization to global climate policy.

This growing struggle – across the arts, politics, and academia – to describe our climate emotions shows we urgently need a new vocabulary to express the unprecedented times we’re going through.

During my PhD, I researched how writers could use creative writing to show the real-world impact of our emotional ties to environment as the climate shifts.

There is no one story in the story of the climate crisis; instead, there is a collection of stories which can be told from multiple perspectives and across different species. To describe this, I coined the term “emotional elasticity”. This refers to the inherent flexibility of short stories as a medium to explore how we feel about ecological disruption.

Our feelings are not static. They can be elastic, bouncing back and forth, pinging in different directions, with variable tensions. My research showed that the short story is a powerful tool to build bridges between people’s different emotional experiences of the climate crisis.

Mental instruction manuals

Creative works can represent emotions emerging so quickly that our brains can’t quite catch up with them. In my short story collection, Birds Are Liars (2025), I created “feeling arcs” whereby a reader witnesses a character going through a journey of emotions in response to the climate crisis. I also focused on portraying physical sensations in an effort to connect with emotions that readers may already be experiencing, but might not yet have the language to describe or fully comprehend and process.

Emotions can be consciously interpreted, but they often start as physical reactions. In my short story, Twitcher, an avid birdwatcher’s emotions are unnamed, the reader is shown his physical anxiety – twitching and restlessness. This is how the reader senses and may also relate to his unspoken dread.

New climate-related lexicons and stories can give readers and writers the language needed to answer the enduring question, which is also the title of one of my short stories, often posed in psychotherapy: “And how did that make you feel?”

As global temperatures soar and climate progress stalls, our emotional wellbeing is also at stake. If left unchecked, this mental health crisis will burn us out faster than the planet itself. We need new words, metaphors and ways to understand the meaning of the climate crisis. By acting as our mental instruction manuals, these stories and images can help us navigate, survive and somehow emotionally process an irrevocably changing Earth.

Some of the reports of anti-social behaviour include public urination

Residents have welcomed the introduction of a protection order in a town centre following fights breaking out and people urinating in public. Last week, Huntingdonshire District Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to cover the town centre following an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour.

Residents who claim they’ve seen people urinating in public, harassing members of the public and causing disorder to people are welcoming the PSPO. Ian Wagstaff said it is a “very positive and necessary step”.

He said: “I have seen a range of recurring issues, mostly around St Benedict’s Court where large groups of people gather drinking, shouting and getting into fights. It also occurs in All Saints’ Church Yard, and on the benches by Sainsbury’s.”

For parents like Ian, he said anti-social behaviour can be “scary for families” and make them feel “unsafe”. He added: “My main concern is that our shared public spaces stop being welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

“No one should feel afraid, uncomfortable or forced to avoid parts of their own town. It also hits our economy hard, when people feel put off visiting shops.

“Over time, this behaviour erodes community spirit, lowers pride in our town and creates a divide between those who use spaces responsibly and those who disrupt them.”

Ian believes the PSPO is not a “cure-all of its own”, but it is an “essential foundation” to try and sort the problem. He said: “It gives authorities clear, consistent powers to intervene early and stop low-level disorder before it gets worse.

“It will work best alongside ongoing community engagement, better access to support for those who need it, and continued investment in our town centre.”

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, also thinks the PSPO will be a “good thing”. From her flat, she continues to see acts of anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing and public drinking.

These take place at a park near her flat, which is covered by the PSPO. She added: “It’s quite concerning. I think it’s a shame that people bring this part of town down. It’s somewhere I don’t feel comfortable going on my own.”

On the PSPO, the woman said it highlights that “people don’t want that sort of behaviour in the town centre”. She added: “I just think it needs to be enforced because otherwise they will just carry on and do it.”

Another woman, who also wished to not be named, said she “constantly sees kids messing about in the centre”, as well as people “peeing in the street”. “It’s disgusting,” she said.

The woman added: “It makes people seem quite intimidating and then it puts you off going to the city centre. The police don’t seem to be around when you need them.

“However, this PSPO will hopefully be better as it will stop people committing crimes or being annoying. Then, it won’t make people so it won’t make people so worried about going into town.”

Mark Chandler, who lives in the Oxmoor estate in Huntingdon, feels the PSPO is a “great idea”, however he feels the area it covers is “limited”. He said: “Oxmoor has been forgotten about, they don’t care about the estate.

“We have problems around here. We have people going on motorbikes up and down the path, and Oxmoor is a cannabis centre. The police are not interested. They have the PSPO for the centre but not for anywhere else like here.”

Mark wants to see the police more “active” in Oxmoor, as well as the town centre. He said: “If this PSPO could be brought up to Oxmoor, it would make such a difference.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said the PSPO has been introduced following concerns of anti-social behaviour and associated criminality including: drunkenness, urination or defecation, abusive language, intimidation, and behaviour that causes alarm or distress.

The spokesperson added: “Police have worked with Huntingdonshire District Council, housing providers, health services, charities, Probation and other agencies to reduce harm and address the underlying causes of these issues, however the proposed PSPO would provide an additional and proportionate tool to help prevent persistent and unreasonable behaviour from continuing, recurring or escalating in public spaces.

If approved, the order would allow specific restrictions or requirements to be enforced, with breaches potentially resulting in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.

“The proposed order is intended to improve the quality of life for those who live, work in, and visit Huntingdon town centre, while supporting businesses and partners in making the area safer and more welcoming.

“Similar PSPOs have been used elsewhere in Huntingdonshire to address comparable issues and have been positively received by communities and partner agencies. We would work jointly with the district council to enforce the PSPO.”

Huntingdonshire District Council has been approached for further comment.

Major pension providers will help give entrepreneurs capital

Major UK pension providers have joined forces with Burnham’s Government to create a new £1billion fund for science and tech startups, fuelled by UK pension pots. The new PM promised this step will “unlock good growth in every postcode” and potentially deliver strong returns for savers.

The new UK Scale-up Fund is the first of its kind. It will use pension investments to back UK companies that are looking to scale up their businesses, potentially offering greater returns for investors in the long run. It’s being backed by institutional investors and the British Business Bank and aims to give local entrepreneurs the capital they need to grow without needing to look at foreign investors. Here is how it could affect your pension pot.

What does it mean for your pension?

Pension pots are not cash savings, they are investments and what your specific pot is invested in will depend on your risk appetite, circumstances, provider and personal choices. The new fund will see £1billion from affected pension pots invested in the specific startups.

The pension providers involved in the new fund handle defined contribution, defined benefit and Local Government Pension Scheme funds. The new £1billion fund is meant to provide better long-term returns for people invested in these pots, providing them a bigger total pot when they retire. While also using the investments to help science and tech startups grow.

What happens next?

For pension providers, the Government and the British Business Bank, there is still a lot to do to get the new fund off the ground. Starting with looking for an asset manager to handle the new £1billion investment pool.

However, everyday savers won’t need to take any action themselves as it should be managed by your pension provider.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Today sends a clear message: this is a vote of confidence in British business, British talent and British ambition.

“This new fund would help unlock good growth in every postcode, connecting pension investment with the entrepreneurs and technologies that will reindustrialise Britain and create the jobs of the future.

“That means more opportunities for working people, stronger returns for savers, and more businesses choosing to start, grow and stay in Britain.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey said: “We create great companies in Britain but don’t do enough to grow them with British capital and keep profits in the UK.

“I want the UK to become the best place in the world both to start and scale a business, with investment, jobs and skills in every region.

“We have the third largest Venture Capital market in the world and this new £1 billion fund will mean more British money to back British scale-ups and better returns for pension savers.”

Middlesbrough Council’s dog wardens have spoken out after three dogs were deliberately left with the out-of-hours team within 24 hours.

The council has warned that the dog warden service is not a rehoming centre, and intentionally abandoning pets is both distressing for the animals and puts unnecessary strain on a service meant for emergencies and stray dogs.

In a statement, the council said they felt forced to address the ongoing issue, as it is becoming an “increasingly concerning” trend in the area.

Dog wardens are responsible for responding to reports of lost and stray dogs, investigating animal-related incidents, and ensuring the welfare and safety of the animals involved – rather than being a place to surrender pets. 

But Middlesbrough’s wardens say they are often being forced to take in animals that aren’t lost, but have been intentionally abandoned.

Unwanted dogs are being increasingly dumped with Middlesbrough Dog Wardens, when their primary focus is rescuing and reuniting lost or stray dogs. (Image: Pixabay)

The team works around the clock to protect dogs and respond to genuine cases, but the rise in abandoned pets is placing increasing pressure on the service’s limited resources.

The council stressed that abandonment also leaves animals frightened and confused, and is neither a responsible nor humane solution.

The statement continued: “We understand that circumstances can change and that sometimes owners may find themselves unable to care for a dog.

“There are responsible ways of seeking help and support – abandoning an animal is not one of them.”

The council is urging pet owners who are no longer able to care for their animals to seek advice and support, rather than dumping them with the dog wardens.

“Three dogs in 24 hours is three too many,” the statement concluded.

“Let’s look after our animals and treat them with the care and compassion they deserve.”

Manchester United have been active in the summer transfer market and continue to be linked with various players including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott

Manchester United have enjoyed a busy start to the summer transfer window as Michael Carrick begins to shape his squad. The new boss has been strengthening his team as the club looks to continue their successful end to last season.

United have already brought in midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to address a key area of the pitch. Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte’s injury during the World Cup made midfield a priority and the club have continued to be linked with other targets.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is among them following his impressive displays for the Cherries. However, United face competition from Chelsea for the 22-year-old’s signature.

Meanwhile, the club have announced the signing of teenage goalkeeper Kit Margetson, becoming the second shot-stopper to arrive at Old Trafford this summer. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the biggest headlines surrounding United.

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Michael Carrick’s fifth transfer confirmed

United have completed the signing of former Swansea City starlet Kit Margetson. The 20-year-old goalkeeper arrives after reaching the end of his contract with the Swans last month.

Margetson spent last season on loan at Connah’s Quay Nomads, helping the club reach the European spots in the Cymru Premier. He becomes the club’s fifth summer signing under Michael Carrick, following Santos, Telemans, experienced goalkeeper Karl Darlow and former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tynan Thompson.

A club statement read: “Manchester United have agreed the signing of exciting young goalkeeper Kit Margetson, subject to registration. The 20-year-old was most recently at Swansea City, a club he’d been with since under-15s.

“Last season, he had his first taste of senior football on loan at Connah’s Quay Nomads and kept 10 clean sheets in 34 appearances, helping the Welsh side to qualify for European competition. Margetson has also earned youth international caps for Wales and made his Under-21s debut against Belarus in March. Everyone at United would like to welcome Kit to the club and wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

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Margetson is the latest goalkeeper to join the club after Darlow, who was snapped up as a free agent from Leeds to be an experienced backup to Senne Lammens. Meanwhile, Andre Onana has returned to Trabzonspor on loan and both Radek Vitek and Altay Bayindir are also set to leave this summer.

Alex Scott move takes new twist

United could face a twist in their pursuit of Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as Chelsea plot their next steps. The 22-year-old featured in 37 league games as the club qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.

Sky Sports Germany reports that Chelsea are considering submitting a second offer for Scott. The west London club reportedly had an initial £64m bid rejected by Bournemouth, who have stated that the midfielder is not for sale.

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Scott has given interested sides hope by rejecting a new Bournemouth contract. However, United have also been linked with Roma’s Manu Kone, Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba as the club weigh up midfield targets.

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