But as we plunder its resources and emit pollutants into the atmosphere, we are not only killing the wildlife and plants, we share the earth with, we are directly harming our own health.

It sounds dramatic, and it is, but it also reflects a truth that is staring us in the face: we depend on a healthy planet for food, water, shelter and the air we breathe. The summit has regularly been cited as our last hope of tackling the climate emergency that threatens our very survival. This week, the news cycle has been awash with speeches and sound bites from the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, being held in Glasgow, Scotland.