The Know Daily - Thursday 4 December 2025

_{Read in 4m 21s ∙ Listening to The Ronettes ∙}

Want to start investing but not sure where to begin? With Trading 212, you can build your portfolio easily from your phone – no jargon, no intimidation, just tools that help you take control of your money. Because investing should be for everyone. Capital is at risk. Sponsored content.

✨ Thank you to Trading 212 for partnering with The Know to make investing more accessible and for keeping this newsletter free for all ✨

From now until 12pm on 9th December, any donations you make via Big Give will be automatically doubled for their Christmas Challenge to raise money for over 1,500 charities and projects. From mental health and children’s wellbeing to conservation and emergency relief, more than £360m has been raised so far to “change lives for the better” in the UK and abroad.

🌍 Climate adaption

Following COP30 last month, there’s been renewed focus on how we can adapt to a changing climate – we're breaking down what that looks like in the UK.

First up, what is climate adaptation?
It’s about adjusting to the climate we’re already seeing and the potential changes scientists predict are coming, in practical ways that help everyday life run smoothly, so we can stay safe and prepared. It’s different from climate mitigation, which is about cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation focuses on updating how our communities, buildings and daily routines work so we can handle all things from hotter summers to heavier rainfall.

What are the challenges?
Homes, transport systems and supply chains weren’t originally designed with today’s climate in mind, so updating them can be slow, costly and complicated. But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening – many improvements are already underway and more are planned. And it’s not just big infrastructure changes – everyday steps matter too, like ensuring insurance covers weather-related damage and adjusting school or work hours during occasional heatwaves. It can also be hard to measure success as it’s not as straightforward as reducing carbon emissions, but progress is still very possible and often incremental.

What’s the UK doing about it?
Under the Climate Change Act, the UK reviews and updates a national adaptation plan every five years. The latest plan focuses on steady, practical upgrades – things like strengthening roads and railways, improving drainage and making buildings more comfortable with better insulation and ventilation. There’s also work to support the NHS during hotter periods, protect supply chains and help farmers with water management and climate-smart crops. It’s all about gradual improvements that make everyday life more resilient.

What’s the progress so far?
A report earlier this year found that 96% of local authorities now have climate plans, up from 58% in 2018. The Climate Change Committee says national progress is heading in the right direction, with clearer structures in place than before. And across the country, more communities are making small, practical adjustments – showing that adaptation is becoming a normal and manageable part of long-term planning.

But adaptation isn’t the whole picture. It’s still helpful to think green where you can – whether that’s using a little less energy, cutting waste, choosing lower-carbon travel when it’s realistic or supporting businesses doing the same. 💚

Finance can feel complicated – but it doesn’t have to.

We’re so excited to partner with Trading 212 who are redefining what it means to invest, making it simple for anyone to start building their wealth straight from their phone. Whether you’re exploring fractional shares, setting up your first portfolio, or just curious about where to begin, their app turns complexity into confidence.

Because when investing feels accessible, everyone wins 🌟 

Feel ready to start investing? Download the Trading 212 app to open your account now. You can sign up to a Stocks and Shares ISA or an Invest account with the promo code KNOW to receive free fractional shares worth between £8 and £100. All you need to do is deposit at least £1 within 10 days of opening your account 💫 Capital is at risk. Sponsored link. To receive free fractional shares worth up to £100, you can open an account with Trading 212 and use the code KNOW. Terms apply.

🍼 Baby formula costs are set to fall under new government plans, which ministers say could save parents up to £500 in a baby’s first year.

• The bigger story: Shops will be required to display all formula products together so families can more easily compare cheaper options. Retailers will also be allowed to accept vouchers, gift cards or loyalty points when formula is purchased. Previous rules aimed at promoting breastfeeding restricted promotions and made lower-cost brands harder to find. Supporters call the move a practical cost-of-living fix, while critics say it still doesn’t guarantee long-term affordability for families.

🦮 A dog in the home could help boost mental health for teenagers due to their ability to reduce owners’ stress and stimulate the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin, according to new research. 

🤴 The royal family welcomed the German president and his wife to the UK yesterday for a historic state visit.

🏃‍♀️ Sports experts have issued international guidelines to help reduce injuries among female athletes and make sport safer for women and girls.

🏛️ The World Building of the Year has been revealed and it lives up to the name with some mesmerising lighting 😍

🚉 Chanel has brought high fashion to the New York City subway by staging the Métiers d’Art show on an abandoned platform.

🧖‍♀️ Winter hair can be a surprising challenge – here’s why it sometimes stays greasy (even post-wash!). 

Help your friends feel better about the news. Get them to sign up using your personalised code 👉 https://theknowmedia.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

⭐ Get clicking - this tells our partners that readers are interested in The Know. Let’s get started with this one!

⭐ Add us to your contacts or primary inbox - this makes sure we reach your inbox (and everyone else’s) each morning.

The Know is on a mission to help everyone start their day feeling informed and hopeful. We only recommend things we genuinely love but sometimes we make money from the links and content we share. This directly supports keeping our journalism free for all.

Trivia answer: B) The vocalisation is ​​shorter and lower-pitched than a full-throated roar and is part of a study using AI to monitor big cat populations.

How did you find today’s email?
😍 Loved it! | 😕 Could be better…

Need fewer emails? Click here to hear from us once a week.