Over the summer, domination of the headlines by coronavirus has started to wane. As the situation has improved and vaccination rates have risen, in the UK at least, other issues have started to move up the news agenda.
This is positive news, even if it is important to stress that caution must remain in order to keep on top of the virus.
On the other hand, what has replaced the pandemic on the front pages has not been good news.
Most recently, the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US and UK troops is a real cause for concern. Under the new regime, the rights and safety of women and girls, and other groups (including charity workers), are likely to be threatened and greatly reduced.
The summer has also seen headlines about extreme weather all around the globe – including in the UK – and this was accompanied by a dire warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Its report found that many of the changes to our climate are irreversible, and drastic action needs to be taken in order to limit the effects.
The report comes ahead of the COP26 summit, which takes place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November. The governments that attend will need to take action and put in place real measures, rather than vague goals and worthy words, if the summit is to be judged a success.
All of these news stories are in areas where charities have been operating.
Many charities were on the front line in the fight against coronavirus, or saw increased demand for their services as the impact of lockdown was felt.
In Afghanistan, there are many aid organisations and other charities working.
In the fight to limit climate change, there are environmental, wildlife and other charities operating. Many more charities will see their work increase as extreme weather and other effects take hold. This is why even non-environmental charities are taking action to lessen their impact on the environment.
This month, our cover theme looks at the insurance needs of charities. Given the events mentioned above it is perhaps not too much of a stretch to say that charities are the insurance that our society still desperately needs.
Tristan Blythe is editor of Charity Finance
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