Happy New Year!

I'm sure most of us are glad to have 2020 behind us. But are we ready to work to make 2021 better - and greener?

Some fascinating polling suggests that may be the case.

A University of Oxford survey found two-thirds of more than 13,000 people in 28 European nations now support a ban on short-haul flights if the destination could be reached in 12 hours by train.

More than half also said they planned to use their cars less often and two-thirds were willing to reduce meat consumption - all key ways for individuals to help curb climate change.

"Habits function in stable environments. When the environment becomes disrupted, they change more easily," said Klaus Grunert, a consumer expert who carried out a similar study for Denmark's Aarhus University. "The pandemic has been a disruptive event ... so it's a good situation for behavioural change."

The 'Cut a Tonne in '21' campaign, endorsed by the United Nations, similarly is asking people to make an unusual New Year's resolution in 2021: To slim their carbon footprint by a tonne, through measures from going vegetarian to flying less and buying renewable power.

Such shifts are particularly crucial for the world's wealthiest, with the richest 1% of people emitting 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and the average person in Britain 9 tonnes, according to Imperial College London.

The risks of not making such changes are fast becoming more evident.

Mexico City, which has long battled a leaky water network and overuse of groundwater, is seeing its water security erode further as climate warming brings changing rainfall. 

"We have to work every day and quickly so that in 25 years we don't run out of water," warned Victor Javier Bourguett Ortiz, who runs the Valley of Mexico water basins.

A combination of COVID-19 and climate change also threatens to spur a "hunger pandemic" as everything from economic downturns and wild weather to wildfires and locust attacks tip millions more into hunger.

Globally, worsening disasters fuelled by weather and climate extremes already brought "catastrophic" problems for millions in 2020, with nine disasters leading to damage of at least $5 billion each in insured losses, charity Christian Aid said.

Britain's Prince Charles, in an interview with novelist Margaret Atwood, urged people to develop a more respectful relationship with nature - fast.

"We have forgotten that, or somehow been brainwashed into thinking that we have nothing to do with nature and nature can just be exploited but if we go on exploiting the way we are, whatever we do to nature - however much we pollute her - we do to ourselves. It is insanity," he said.

See you next week!

New Year's resolution? Slim your carbon footprint by a tonne in 2021
Climate campaign urges people to take action to reduce their emissions next year, using an online tool to track progress against Paris Agreement goals to curb global warming

With schools shut by pandemic, solar radios keep Kenyan children learning
Solar-powered radios have been distributed to the poorest homes that lack electricity access, with lessons broadcast daily during the COVID-19 crisis - and perhaps beyond

Will 2021 be the year of living sustainably for Europe?
Surveys show consumers are willing to give up some conveniences, such as short-haul flights, to beat back climate change

As reservoirs run low, Mexico City seeks durable fix for water woes
A lack of rain to fill reservoirs this year has compounded a leaky water network and over-use of groundwater, forcing authorities to look for solutions to urban water shortages

Prince Charles warns human exploitation of nature is 'insanity'
The heir to the British throne, a long-time environmentalist, says there is much to be learned from indigenous communities on living in balance with the natural world

Satellite alerts seen helping fight deforestation in Africa
Near real-time data pinpointing tree losses is helping African countries tackle deforestation, finds study

Kashmir bid to stop urban flooding claims wetland casualty
Wildlife wardens demand urgent measures to restore the Hokera wetland, as the excavation of a channel to prevent floods in Srinagar sucks the protected ecosystem dry

Hungry for change: Faulty food systems laid bare by COVID-19 and climate crises
The pandemic has made it harder for farmers - already grappling with climate extremes - to sell their harvests, while rising poverty pushes more city residents to use food banks

From floods and fires to locusts, 'climate breakdown' cost rich and poor in 2020
Extreme weather claimed thousands of lives and caused losses worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide this year, says Christian Aid

'The sea is all we know': Thai villagers fight industrial zone
Thai fishing villagers in Baan Suan Kong are pushing for more environmentally-friendly solutions that do not hurt or uproot communities