October 2024

In Gaza, farmers are struggling to survive on shrinking arable land amidst severe shortages of essential resources like water, fertilizer, and pesticides. The destruction of over 80% of greenhouses necessitates extreme inventiveness and determination to clear debris and cultivate new crops, reflecting the dire humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, in the UK, an illegal dump in Bickershaw has become a potent symbol of the north-south divide and systemic failure. This mountain of 25,000 tonnes of household waste, present for over 20 months, highlights how organized criminal gangs profit while local communities suffer the toxic consequences. The ongoing issues in both Gaza and Bickershaw underscore persistent environmental and humanitarian crises, with the latter also becoming a focal point in a local byelection.