Stories

Ideas, insights and proposals from the Cambridge Zero network on advancing a zero-carbon world.
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Ramit on street background
Deadly heatwaves fuelled by climate change in 2022 made almost 90 percent of Indians more vulnerable to public health issues, food shortages and increased risks of death, a new study from researchers at the University of Cambridge - led by Cambridge Zero Fellow Dr Ramit Debnath - reported in the PLOS Climate journal.
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Mer de Glace Handprints – Holding a melting Glacier
We are excited to celebrate the winners of our Earth Day Photography and Poetry Competition! A big thanks to our judges, Ewan Campbell, Dr Lisa Mullen and Domininkas Zalys. A special congratulations to our photography winner, Millie May, and our poetry winner, Alessandra Rey, and to all of our runners up.
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green week poster set on white background
The Green Officer-led Green Week runs from Tuesday 25 April to Tuesday 2 May. The theme is ACTION and the week will feature a range of inclusive and fun events organised by students.
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Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash. Time lapse picture of square containers at night
Cambridge Zero organised a workshop to explore the capability of materials modelling and how it can accelerate experimental explorations. The event highlighted the importance of developing new materials with better functionality in energy consumption, conversion, and storage, which is crucial to achieving net zero targets.
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Miners
Cambridge Zero held a workshop on March 24, 2023, to discuss the environmental, social, and ethical dimensions of materials for net zero. The workshop was crucial in highlighting the potential impacts of the projected increase in demand for energy-related materials for the transition to net zero.
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Photography and Poetry Competition Banner
In celebration of this year’s Earth Day (22 April), Cambridge Zero are running a Photography and Poetry Competition for all students at the University of Cambridge.  
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Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
A letter initiated by Cambridge Zero Director Professor Emily Shuckburgh tells the Prime Minister that the latest global report on climate change demonstrates now is the time to channel all our efforts into renewable energy: “Last Monday the IPCC made it clear that immediate action is required to avert a climate catastrophe. Now is the time to be investing in the technologies of the future, not the past.”
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Photo by Karen Cann on Unsplash. Punting by the river Cam
The Cambridge Festival 2023 runs from 17 March to 2 April. Cambridge Zero has been hosting a number of events and collaborations, and there are still more to go! Join us for this final week of the festival at a selection of events.
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Recycling Bin
Earthworms, algae farming, tracking waste via GPS and making water-resistant cellulose packaging were some of the innovative ideas discussed at a Cambridge Zero workshop aimed at improving the circular economy and managing waste.
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Photo by Richard R. Schünemann on Unsplash
Dr Ramit Debnath, Cambridge Zero Fellow, led an interdisciplinary team of political scientists, engineers, and justice theorists to investigate how online conspiracy theories are having an impact on the funding for research into new climate technologies like solar geoengineering, which could help lessen the effects of climate change. Read more about the study here.
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Picture of river with logo of Climate Repair
he Centre for Climate Repair is pleased to be offering four internships and five UROPs during the summer of 2023. The UROPs are available to all university students and are administered by the Engineering Department.
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Group of people talking sharing stories
The Call for Applications for the Cambridge Zero Public Engagement & Media Fellowships 2023 is now open! These fellowships are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and support to enable you to engage with the public both on-line and in person when it comes to your research.
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FLP CLR
This summer, Cambridge Zero and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration are collaborating to offer seven paid project assistant positions to undergraduates and recent graduates. These roles present an opportunity to get involved with these organisations at a critical time for climate and environmental issues globally.
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FLP CZ
This summer, Cambridge Zero and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration are collaborating to offer seven paid project assistant positions to undergraduates and recent graduates. These roles present an opportunity to get involved with these organisations at a critical time for climate and environmental issues globally.
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Discussing a network of networks at COP27
Steve Davison, Director of Strategy for Cambridge Zero, is also the International Lead for the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN). In this post, he shares his experiences from co-convening two workshops at COP27 for senior higher education representatives from around the world to discuss how we can better coordinate our work to support climate action.
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case studies header image
This blog posts showcases the Initiative Summaries of the shortlisted concept notes from the 2022 Carbon Challenge (now named the Climate Challenge). It also highlights which projects were runners up and winners in the final pitching and judging event.
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Climate change and social opinion
Cambridge Zero Fellow Ramit Debnath suggests we tackle climate change misinformation through computational social science. He is a co-signatory to a letter in Nature Human Behaviour on how we do this - reducing misinformation, removing scepticism and restoring trust.
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Shailaja speaking at launch event
A big thank you to everyone who came along to the Climate Challenge 2023 Launch Event in the Entopia Building last Friday. CISL’s newly renovated Canopy workspace for innovation was buzzing with enthusiastic young people exchanging ideas on how they could use their skills to find innovative solutions to tackle the myriad challenges of climate change.
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Green careers festival banner
Cambridge Zero is pleased to be partnering with the University of Cambridge Careers Service on delivering the University’s third Green Careers Fair and second Green Careers Festival.

In collaboration with the Student Union, we have thought carefully about how to deliver a Green Careers Fair that supports all students to find jobs leading the change.
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climate challenge header image
Are you interested in innovation to solve global problems? Do you want a just transition? Join the Climate Challenge, a climate-focussed entrepreneurship competition for postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
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sunset at cop27
Sebastian Mitchell, a University of Cambridge student and the UK's youngest negotiating delegate, reflects on his day-to-day experiences at COP27 in Egypt.
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Climate Challenge
Learn more about the many ways you can get involved with Cambridge Zero - and climate change and sustainability at the University of Cambridge - through programmes, challenges, workshops and leadership opportunities.
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Laura and other youth participants in front of COP27 sign
As COP15 draws to a close with a deal we invited Cambridge Climate Society President, Laura Lock, to reflect on her experiences at COP27.