🌎The Week In Climate 6th - 12th Jan🌍
2020 is here, my batteries are fully charged & I'm ready to go full-speed ahead. Let's talk about the Australia bushfires, EU climate politics, fossil fuel companies (& funders) and much more.
Let's go!
2020 is here, my batteries are fully charged & I'm ready to go full-speed ahead. Let's talk about the Australia bushfires, EU climate politics, fossil fuel companies (& funders) and much more.
Let's go!
🤝THE POLITICS 🤝
1/ Here's a great summary of the political landscape in Australia when it comes to climate change, the interests that are protecting the coal industry & how the situation has changed (or hasn't changed) over time
1/ Here's a great summary of the political landscape in Australia when it comes to climate change, the interests that are protecting the coal industry & how the situation has changed (or hasn't changed) over time
2/ Speaking of Australia, the question becomes, who pays for addressing climate change? The country is *still* subsidising the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $1,728 per person per year
theguardian.com/australia-news…
theguardian.com/australia-news…
3/ Great summary piece by @drvox in @voxdotcom on how our chances of staying below 2C (previously the hope was 1.5C) are dwindling because of our inability to take action politically, amongst other factors
vox.com/energy-and-env…
vox.com/energy-and-env…
4/ Some great news out of the US with first estimates of a 2.1% reduction in emissions for 2019. Encouraging, given the current political situation at the top with regards to climate change.
5/ Still in the US, the @sunrisemvmt announced they are endorsing @BernieSanders in the 2020 Presidential race
grist.org/politics/berni…
grist.org/politics/berni…
6/ According to @transenv the 🇪🇺EU needs 15x more public chargers by 2030 in order to become carbon neutral by 2050 (3 million charging points needed for 44 million EVs)
transportenvironment.org/press/eu-needs…
transportenvironment.org/press/eu-needs…
7/ The above seems more feasible in light of the 🇪🇺 EU announcing a 1 Trillion (!) EUR Green Deal over the next decade to reduce emissions by at least 40% until 2030 and reach net zero by 2050
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
8/ The Green Party in Austria 🇦🇹 managed to get concessions from the right-wing People's Party leading to a 2040 climate neutrality goal. Excellent article by @ChloeFarand
climatechangenews.com/2020/01/07/aus…
climatechangenews.com/2020/01/07/aus…
👩🔬THE SCIENCE 👨🔬
9/ Don't think I'm going out on a limb here saying that the "record drought + record heat" formula is something we'll be seeing much more of in the coming decade. Sadly, here's the situation in Australia right now.
9/ Don't think I'm going out on a limb here saying that the "record drought + record heat" formula is something we'll be seeing much more of in the coming decade. Sadly, here's the situation in Australia right now.
10/ Reminder that Australia has warmed around 1.5C since late 1800s, here's the graph showing this evolution (and projections leading up to 2100)
11/ The data also shows that Europe has warmed considerably more than other regions of the planet (1.9C vs 0.8C)
12/ If you were wondering where all the smoke from the Australian fires went, well, part of it travelled all the way to South America. Fantastic graphic below
13/ Here's @MichaelEMann opinion piece in the @guardian directly from Australia where he witnessed the fires first hand ... while on holiday
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
14/ Meanwhile, the @Sydney_Uni and @WWF_Australia estimate that 1 billion animals have died because of the wildfires
huffpost.com/entry/billion-…
huffpost.com/entry/billion-…
🤑THE BUSINESS 💰
15/ Average CO2 emissions of cars sold in the UK has risen for the 3rd year in a row - Thank you SUVs! However, on the positive side, EV sales have increased +20%
theguardian.com/business/2020/…
15/ Average CO2 emissions of cars sold in the UK has risen for the 3rd year in a row - Thank you SUVs! However, on the positive side, EV sales have increased +20%
theguardian.com/business/2020/…
16/ A great thread by @BenFranta on this recent @nytimes article which argues that fossil fuel companies want to be a part of the solution to tackle climate change (and are doing enough at the moment in that sense)
17/ @Ignite_Solar which has @MLiebreich as an advisor, has just announced they have broken the record for low-cost electricity in Africa, with a plan that is less than 25c per week
einpresswire.com/article/506467…
einpresswire.com/article/506467…
18/ Here's a fantastic thread on the companies that are financing those responsible for the climate crisis
🏢THE SOCIETY🏡
19/ Yes, flying only represents 2% of overall emissions, but it's still incredibly important to tackle it. Great summary thread below on why it's both a small number & and an important area to tackle.
19/ Yes, flying only represents 2% of overall emissions, but it's still incredibly important to tackle it. Great summary thread below on why it's both a small number & and an important area to tackle.
20/ Actors & celebrities did their part to raise awareness at the Golden Globes, with several of them highlighting the climate crisis we are facing
grist.org/article/the-bi…
grist.org/article/the-bi…
21/ @HuffPost & @kylamandel ran a great article with 5 well known climate scientists - @GinaNRDC @ayanaeliza @DrShepherd2013 @leahstokes @MichaelEMann - on what gives them hope with the current climate fight
huffpost.com/entry/climate-…
huffpost.com/entry/climate-…
22/ Amazing 8 minute video by @sunrisemvmt co-founder @VarshPrakash on their plans for 2020 including having their members host parties with friends & family to bolster the movement
23/ If you're in the mood for some long-form essays concerning the climate crisis & its solutions, @KHayhoe compiled a list of her favourites and they're really worth a read
That's all for this week! Will be back next week along with a breakdown of my first You've Been Warmed Podcast episodes :-)
