Opinion

Comment and analysis on today’s biggest issues from Edinburgh's world-leading experts.The views expressed in this section are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily represent those of the University.

Is humanity choosing to unite against climate change?

Professor Liz Grant Mar 11, 2026 13 min read
With three prominent COP events lined up for 2026, Professor Liz Grant reflects on the achievements of last year’s climate conference and why coming together for the sake of the environment matters.

Economic growth cannot save us from deforestation

Dr Hannah Wauchope Mar 3, 2026 4 min read
On the UN's World Wildlife Day, we must face the reality that economic growth is driving environmental destruction, and relying on it to fund environmental protection and decarbonisation is a paradox that will ultimately result in more harm.

Africa’s net-zero pledges must be inclusive and transformative

Dr Nelson Oppong Feb 19, 2026 5 min read
Africa’s net-zero pledges meet oil expansion and debt realities, raising questions of justice. On World Day of Social Justice, what would a fair Africa-led energy transition require?

There’s more to the rising cost of chocolate than the price…

Peter Alexander Feb 12, 2026 5 min read
Familiar bars of chocolate have been getting more expensive, and often smaller. Is this really just because cocoa has become more expensive, as is often claimed in the media?

Why we need to eat less meat this World Pulses Day

Professor Lindsay Jaacks Feb 10, 2026 5 min read
On World Pulses Day, we need to eat less meat and adopt a sustainable diet if we want to transform our food system.

How tackling the impact of plastics on human health is in…

A Swiss summit is poised to decide the future of plastic. But not everyone agrees that there should be less of it.

What is the real cost of cutting international aid?

Professor Liz Grant May 12, 2025 6 min read
Slashing aid budgets causes harm in the short and long term. While the UK and elsewhere haggle over fractions of a percentage, lives are already being affected.

The multibillion-dollar industry of child sexual exploitation

Deborah Fry Apr 10, 2025 5 min read
The chilling reality of this profit-driven, highly lucrative industry is revealed by new findings from the University’s Childlight Global Child Safety Institute.

Future of AI: Learning from Google Translate’s flaws

Adam Lopez Mar 17, 2025 7 min read
Despite advances, machine translation tools like Google Translate still face significant accuracy issues. What can these early versions of machine learning tell us about the future of AI?

Why the Humanities must shape the future of AI

Prof Drew Hemment and Dr Cody Kommers Mar 12, 2025 5 min read
To avoid repeating the mistakes of the social media age, artists and their creative ilk must design AI. And quickly - time is running out.

Why AI is still a fragile and vulnerable technology

Des Higham Mar 6, 2025 4 min read
Forget super-intelligent robots. The immediate risk with AI is from bad actors exploiting its limitations.