Met Office should name storms after fossil fuel companies, say campaigners
Climate campaigners have recommended the Met Office names its storms after various oil and gas corporations to remind the public of the link between burning fossil fuels and extreme weather.
They are hoping to spark a craze similar to 'Boaty McBoatface', when in 2016 the National Environment Research Council opened a competition to name a £200m polar research ship. Nationwide hilarity ensued when the public voted Boaty McBoatface as the top choice for the ship's name. However, the name was not chosen by the government, who opted to name it the Sir David Attenborough instead.
Hundreds of people have submitted ideas to the Met Office. While some have named specific oil and gas companies, others have suggested names such as 'bigoil' and 'fossily mcfuelface'.
Alexis Eyre, who works in sustainable marketing, has been drumming up support for the campaign. She said it was inspired by a letter to the Guardian last year by a reader, John Uden, who suggested: 'Instead of naming storms after 'those who work to keep people safe in times of severe weather', thereby making these severe disruptions sound innocuous, it would be more appropriate to use the names of fossil fuel companies and the manufacturers of SUVs.'
Eyre told the Guardian: 'An idea like this makes it much more tangible the connection between, the companies that have helped create this damage, and actually, what the consequences are.'
She said the campaign had 'gone crazy', adding: 'I've had hundreds of reposts on LinkedIn, and it just keeps on getting picked up everywhere on WhatsApp as well. So I definitely think it will gain some traction. Everyone's hoping it will be like a Boaty McBoatface situation.'
The release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere has made the storms we experience more extreme, research from the forecaster has found. An attribution study cited by the Met Office found that rainfall in the winter season of 2023-24 was 20% more intense due to human-caused climate change, and the amount of rainfall observed during the season was 10 times more likely.
Scientists predict that while the number of storms may not increase during climate breakdown, their intensity most likely will. This is because rising global temperatures contribute to more frequent weather anomalies such as the 'Spanish plume', which is when hot air from the Iberian peninsula moves northwards into the UK, creating unstable conditions that can lead to intense summer thunderstorms with heavy downpours and lightning.
Sign up to Down to Earth
The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential
after newsletter promotion
The Met Office does frequently draw attention to climate breakdown and clearly explains the links between extreme weather and the combustion of fossil fuels. However, Eyre said: 'I think people are just grasping at different ways of how they can bring stuff to life, how do we visually get this into the public domain, and how do we grab the attention of the government to do more in this space? It wasn't an attack on the Met Office as such.'
A Met Office spokesperson said: 'We don't name storms after any private companies.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Warm August bank holiday to usher in hurricane-fueled cool spell
The bank holiday weekend could be pleasantly warm in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland's bank holiday was in early August). But a big change in weather is on the way. Lurking in the Atlantic are depressions ready to launch wet weather across the UK, thanks to a reinvigorated jet stream. Recently the jet stream has been weak and meandering, but it is going to be kick-started into a powerful burst of activity by Hurricane Erin, currently moving past North America. By Sunday Erin will have died out as a hurricane in the cold seas far off the coast of Newfoundland, but its remnants are expected to inject a heap of tropical air high into the atmosphere that will clash with much colder air further north in Canada. This sharp contrast in air temperatures will fuel a surge in the jet stream, sending it at high speed across the Atlantic. And although the jet stream is expected to track far to the south of the UK, it is likely to sweep a depression into the UK, although current forecasts expect the depression to arrive shortly after the bank holiday. However, ex-hurricanes in the North Atlantic are notorious for creating a good deal of uncertainty in weather forecasts, and there is still a chance that the ghost of Erin approaches closer to the UK and upsets the weather predictions. But what is becoming clear is how ex-hurricane Erin will probably shake up the weather for the rest of the summer, with more low pressure systems likely to stream across the UK from the Atlantic with spells of wind and rain. And perhaps history will repeat itself, because the long drought of 1976 broke with storms over the August bank holiday that year, shortly after Dennis Howell had been appointed 'minister for drought'. And after that summer's heat and drought, the rains streamed off the hard ground and set off flooding. And it carried on raining pretty much solidly throughout September and into October. Whether the weather follows a similar pattern this autumn remains to be seen.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
When will fall foliage peak this year, according to the Farmer's Almanac
Autumnal leaf color changes have commenced earlier than usual in some US regions, including Alaska, New York, and Colorado, attributed to warmer and drier conditions. The Farmer's Almanac forecasts that changes will occur from now until mid-September in northern and western states, with the Midwest experiencing changes by late September. Peak foliage is anticipated by mid-October in areas such as New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, though the optimal viewing period typically lasts between seven and ten days and can vary with weather. Leaves alter their color as trees cease chlorophyll production in cooler weather, primarily affecting deciduous species like oak, birch, and beech. Climate change is influencing the timing of fall foliage, with warmer nights potentially delaying the season, while cool nights, sunny days, and moderate rainfall are conducive to the most vibrant colors.
Rhyl Journal
8 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
UK in midst of 'wasp boom' caused by warmer weather in 2025
The spring of 2025 was the warmest and sunniest on record, according to the Met Office. This warmer weather has resulted in an increase in wasp numbers across the UK this summer. BBC Countryfile explained: "Normally, cooler, wetter springs interrupt wasp colony establishment by wiping out young workers. "But this year's weather allowed more to survive, including queens, which meant nests could be created ahead of schedule. "The result this summer is an increase in both the number and size of colonies compared with previous years. "Not only does this mean the black and yellow insects are here earlier than normal, but in greater numbers, too." While the increased presence of wasps this summer may be annoying for some, it is actually a positive when it comes to the UK's ecosystem. Here's why #wasps are actually rather brilliant The Wildlife Trusts said: "Despite their unfortunate reputation, wasps are actually important pollinators and pest controllers." The experts added: "Many of our often-overlooked insects are important pollinators for all kinds of plants, including those which we rely on like fruit trees." You can expect to see this increased presence of wasps in the UK for a little while longer. Wasps are seasonal insects, according to Project Multi Pest (PMP), and are most active from spring through to early autumn. PMP said: "These insects enjoy warm weather, so you can rest assured that once autumn starts to fully set in, you will not see the insects until the following spring." The first sighting of wasps usually takes place towards the end of March/beginning of April each year, as the queens start to emerge. By June, wasp season is "fully underway", PMP continues, with stings becoming more common. "But it is mid to late summer in August and September when wasp behaviour becomes the most volatile," the pest experts add. Wasp season usually lasts until late September/early October. (Image: Getty Images) Wasp season usually begins to wind down in late September to early October, with the cooler temperatures signalling the end. Just prior to the end of the season, there is an increase in "free-roaming" wasps, which Brits are warned can be slightly more aggressive. Wasps, apart from the queens, will then begin to die off as soon as temperatures in the UK reach 0°C (or below). PMP said: "Once wasps die, you can also expect all nests to be completely abandoned." RECOMMENDED READING: Expert shares 49p hack to keep wasps away from your garden Asian Hornet warning issued amid 2025 sightings as they pose 'significant threat' Spider season is here: the 22 species you're likely to find in your home Common wasps are identifiable by their "black-and yellow-striped body, with an obvious 'waist' between the thorax and abdomen", The Wildlife Trusts explains. "It [also] has a characteristic black 'anchor' mark on its face," the group adds.
