Green Climate Seeker

Tag: green house effect

  • From Plastic to Planet: Unraveling the Plastic Pollution Epidemic.

    From Plastic to Planet: Unraveling the Plastic Pollution Epidemic.

    Plastic pollution poses a grave danger to wildlife, with plastic that entraps, traps, engulfs or poisons animals posing a severe threat to them and contributing to climate change.

    Global solutions must be sought for this issue of plastic pollution. Solutions should include production, consumption and disposal measures – as well as international policies designed to lower plastic emission levels.

    What is Plastic?

    Plastic is an artificial material commonly found in the latter half of the 20th century. The term “plastic” derives from Greek word plastikos meaning to mould; plastic production occurs by using fossil fuels to form hydrocarbon compounds with hydrogen and carbon atoms as building blocks to produce long polymer molecules with addition or removal of chemical groups to form different kinds of materials arranged into long chains called filaments, known as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics; thermoplastic plastics can be heated easily before being bent while thermosetting plastics cannot be bent easily like thermoplastic polymers can. Linear or cross-linked polymers make up this industry segment

    Plastic materials offer many advantages, such as their low costs, versatility and durability; however, their benefits come at the cost of the environment. Plastics that remain in the environment for too long pose threats to wildlife populations and human health alike – not to mention some types of plastic releasing harmful chemicals into food and water sources.

    Everyday, approximately 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic waste are dumped into oceans, rivers and lakes worldwide, most of it ending up in landfills or leaching back into the environment. This pollution disrupts natural processes while impairing climate change adaptation capacities as well as human and animal health; for this reason alone it is crucial to address plastic pollution through a holistic One Health approach.

    Plastics can also act as an effective vector to spread infectious diseases. For instance, they can encourage mosquito larvae growth and provide shelter to these vectors’ immature stages, thus increasing disease transmission rates including arthropod-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue and chikungunya.

    Plastics can also contribute to waterborne diseases, including diarrheal illnesses. A recent study discovered that drinking water bottles made from plastic resins increased risk for children in low-income countries of diarrheal illness; thus it concluded that decreasing usage and encouraging responsible disposal would help mitigate such health issues.

    How is Plastic Produced?

    Plastic is produced by mixing raw materials with heat and various additives to form long chains of molecules that can be molded, cast, spun or applied as coatings. While there are natural polymers like rubber and silk available, their presence does not persist in the environment for an extended period. In contrast, synthetic plastics tend to remain for years after production compared with these natural polymers – most global plastic production comes from crude oil-derived petrochemicals; consequently 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from plastic production alone!

    Fracking gas in the United States fuels the explosive expansion of plastic manufacturing industries, which reduces costs associated with petrochemicals, enabling factories to expand rapidly. Unfortunately, rapid expansion also contributes to climate crisis: to mitigate carbon pollution and avoid catastrophic climate catastrophe, rapid transition away from fossil fuels toward investing in renewable energy solutions must occur immediately – otherwise Earth will continue experiencing extreme weather and environmental stressors like ocean plastic pollution.

    Since plastics’ introduction into mass production in the 1950s, 8.3 billion tons have been manufactured and 79% ended up either in landfills or leaked into the environment – an alarming statistic which only continues to compound itself with time. Its ecological, social, and economic costs are immense – yet such widespread waste exists regardless of any regulations regarding disposal.

    Plastic pollution threatens marine life as well as human health and livelihoods, prompting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to include targets to decrease plastic pollution through sustainable consumption and production patterns.

    Unfortunately, despite this recognition of the plastics crisis, not much has been done to address it. Single-use plastic items ranging from bottles and shopping bags are improperly disposed of; whether this means being dropped on the ground, thrown from car windows, or piling up onto overflowing trash bins without proper transport to landfills, recycling centers, or incinerators; as a result they remain as litter for hundreds of years before eventually breaking down and disappearing into our environment.

    How is Plastic Waste Disposed?

    Plastic production involves burning fossil fuels in an energy-intensive process that releases greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals, while once plastic has left its factory it remains on earth for hundreds of years after being thrown away or recycled.

    Though many believe they’re making an effort by depositing plastic waste in their local recycling bin, the reality is that most plastic waste never actually gets recycled due to it not being designed for this process and being too costly or energy-intensive for recycling purposes. Furthermore, plastic pollutes our environment while using valuable water and energy resources which are often limited.

    Municipal policies that encourage the inclusion of all forms of plastic into one bin — known as single-stream recycling — compound this problem further, making it harder for recyclers to distinguish among similar plastic types, ultimately leading to lower quality recycled products.

    Many pieces of recycled plastic end up in landfills or open dumps where it clings to soil and leaches into surrounding water and land, attracting disease-carrying rats, gulls and other unwanted pests that spread disease while emitting climate-warming methane gas and toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Furthermore, such plastic poses a fire hazard as well as being an unpredictable source of harmful toxins that may cause respiratory illness in people working nearby these facilities.

    Middle and low-income countries with limited waste management systems in place face a challenge when it comes to imported scrap plastic: an estimated 5-20% has no market value and ends up either landfilled or open dumped, leading to degraded environments, poor health conditions and environmental justice issues for nearby residents. It may even be mixed in with trash for burning purposes causing smoke inhalation, lung damage and cancer cases.

    Repurposing plastics into new products would be the more sustainable solution, yet this process can be complex and requires a standardized resin identification code system that allows manufacturers to easily identify specific polymers at waste sorting facilities, known as materials recovery facilities (MRF). With such information in place, more efficient processing would occur and better results achieved in recycled plastics.

    What is the Solution?

    Though many solutions are being proposed, the most effective one may require systemic reform in all sectors involved with plastic production and consumption – from agriculture to energy, technology, transportation, waste management, consumer goods and beyond. Such an initiative should include restrictions on production; investments in alternatives to single-use plastics; incentives for businesses adopting plastic-free strategies and policies encouraging circular economic models for plastic recycling.

    Countries and cities must focus on developing an in-depth knowledge base about the issue before taking steps to combat it, including developing standardised methodologies to measure, monitor, and generate data to inform policy decisions. Furthermore, governments must invest in increasing collection infrastructure while ending exports of waste exports and using taxes or fiscal incentives to discourage single-use plastic use by encouraging reusable goods while encouraging sustainable production processes.

    An important solution is the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which would mandate companies take full responsibility for their products throughout their entire life cycle, from recycling and disposal. EPR laws have already become common practice in Europe and US states and have proven to reduce plastic pollution significantly.

    Individuals can help by reducing plastic usage wherever possible and opting for products made with recycled materials as well as supporting local food options that do not rely on plastic packaging and transport for sustenance.

    Scientists have developed innovative tools to tackle plastic pollution. In 2016, Japanese scientists discovered a bacteria capable of “eating” Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), one of the most popular forms of plastic. This bacteria releases an enzyme which breaks down PET before eating it up for energy use.

    Solving the plastic pollution epidemic will be challenging, yet possible. Now is the time to act so we can ensure the future of all its inhabitants – this planet includes us!

  • The Economic Impact of Climate Change: Why it’s a Threat to Everyone?

    The Economic Impact of Climate Change: Why it’s a Threat to Everyone?

    No area of the world will escape climate change’s impacts; however, its effects will vary significantly among communities. Poorer counties in the U.S. will experience greater damage as a result.

    Some individuals can afford measures to combat climate pollution; unfortunately, billions of others cannot.

    1. Loss of life and property

    Climate change has already caused people to lose homes, crops, and lives – this phenomenon is known as “loss and damage”. Loss and damage may result from immediate disasters like flooding, wildfires or hurricanes – which have been intensifying due to climate change – or more gradual events like rising sea levels or ocean acidification; or it could simply include emotional costs associated with grieving over lost family members, traditions or ways of life.

    Every region in the world is vulnerable to climate change losses and damages, yet low-income countries tend to bear more. This is partly because they emit more carbon dioxide and face greater climate impacts such as higher temperatures. Furthermore, low-income communities usually lack money for adaptation plans, leaving them less prepared to deal with disasters when disaster strikes.

    Experts estimate that in the United States alone, 1 to 4% of GDP per year could be lost from effects such as mortality, labor and energy under high emissions scenarios by 2040 (see figure 1). Meanwhile, other researches have determined that benefits would outweigh costs in most instances.

    Of course, our gains depend on our ability to reduce emissions. Luckily, technology and capital exist that could hasten this transition more quickly than many assume; companies like PG&E and GE have shown this by becoming profitable while doing what’s right – the key being setting in place policies, markets, infrastructure that support this goal; the longer we wait, the higher will be the costs involved.

    2. Decreased productivity

    Climate change’s greatest cost may be its decreased productivity. Warmer temperatures lead to less work being accomplished, particularly by those employed in labor-intensive fields like agriculture and construction. Furthermore, hotter weather often results in less productive crops which in turn leads to crop failure, further diminishing output.

    These effects should be more acutely felt in lower-income regions and further compounded by geographic disadvantage. Low-income communities also tend to be less mobile when looking for employment elsewhere (Hardy et al. 2018), thus compounding losses even further (Hardy et al. 2019). Furthermore, economic damage due to climate change will likely be concentrated more heavily in regions already vulnerable to natural disasters, such as the southern United States (Muro et al. 2019).

    The economic cost of climate change varies significantly depending on emissions levels and its effects in various regions, often made more complex by what economists refer to as the ‘discount rate,’ which measures future events at face value. Economists have struggled to incorporate discount rates into models properly which has led to differing estimates of its cost.

    As one example, the 2006 “Stern Report” aroused considerable skepticism among many experts, such as Richard Tol. Tol noted that it relied on only negative impact studies without providing an appropriate cost-benefit analysis.

    Stern Report was flawed in many respects, yet its core premise that climate change will incur substantial costs has become widely accepted. Furthermore, it may even be beneficial to limit emissions at a level which avoids most harm from climate change as this would be more economically productive than continuing to add greenhouse gases to our atmosphere.

    3. Unemployment

    Climate change will threaten lives and property while simultaneously decreasing economic activity through damaged infrastructure and decreased agricultural yields. These effects will be felt across every sector of the economy–energy, finance and construction to agriculture, forestry and fisheries; they will especially sting those living in lower income areas where geographic disadvantage and racial discrimination compound the damage further.

    Rhodium Group conducted research that concluded Southern counties will experience climate damage equivalent to 2-20% of their county income under high emissions scenarios, making these damages especially challenging to overcome due to limited local resources and exposure. African Americans will likely bear more of these costs as their lives become increasingly susceptible to the effects of climate change.

    Recent research conducted by the Swiss Re Institute revealed that nations’ economic risks from climate risks can vary substantially across regions and sectors, due to certain regions being more exposed than others to weather-related impacts such as heat stress or decreased agricultural productivity. For instance, counties located along the Southern coastline will lose significant labor hours annually due to heat exposure; this equates to approximately $160 billion lost wages annually.

    Higher-income countries will see less economic repercussions as their economies experience greater GDP growth to make up for any lost activity. These findings point out issues of fairness as lower-income nations have contributed more emissions leading to climate change; as a result, they suffer more of its consequences than do higher-income nations.

    4. Displacement

    Climate change threatens many aspects of our daily lives, from water and energy supplies to food, wildlife and ecosystem services. Unfortunately, its impacts aren’t distributed equally – lower-income countries tend to experience greater displacement caused by climate-related disasters than higher income countries do, leaving less opportunity to relocate somewhere they can survive and prosper.

    Climate-induced displacement brings with it additional economic costs and health risks, such as exposure to urban crowding and trauma, lack of safe drinking water sources, poverty and social unrest, transmission of insect-borne diseases like dengue fever or West Nile virus transmission (International Institute for Environment and Development 2019). All these issues further diminish prospects of those displaced due to climate related problems.

    Climate change’s impacts are projected to vary significantly across countries and counties (see figure 1). This variance stems from differences in vulnerability as well as nations’ capabilities to combat warming through technology or policy choices.

    Higher-income countries generally boast more resilient economies that can better withstand climate change impacts than lower-income nations, which demonstrates in mortality risk projections: low-income nations will be particularly affected by increasing temperatures while wealthier nations may be better at mitigating them.

    These nuances are difficult to capture using economic analysis. Measuring climate change-related damages is especially complex since its impacts are hard to measure against market transactions or GDP figures; non-market damages like biodiversity loss require additional measures of uncertainty in order to be assessed properly.

    5. Natural disasters

    Climate change costs can be measured in various ways economically. Monetary measures tend to be best-suited for market impacts that directly impact GDP; however, non-market effects and indirect effects should not be neglected either.

    United States hurricane damages were estimated to total $415 billion in 2017. Other costly natural disasters include wildfires and heatwaves – often directly caused by climate change as warmer temperatures and higher sea levels increase their likelihood.

    Environment disasters have increased worldwide in both frequency and severity due to climate change; however, they’re also pushing ecosystems closer and closer to breaking point.

    Storms, floods, landslides, droughts and extreme heatwaves are the most prevalent natural disasters, while slow disasters like increased soil salinity or decreased crop yields take longer to manifest their effects – though all are being made worse by climate change.

    Studies conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Meteorological Organization revealed that between 1970 and 2019, weather, climate or water-related hazards caused over two million deaths and $3.64 trillion in economic losses – many worsened by climate change – which makes reducing emissions essential in protecting coastal environments and maintaining safety standards.

    Climate damage will disproportionately harm low-income communities in the US, which are already facing disadvantage due to factors like geography and segregation. A high emission scenario forecasts climate damage equal to 7 percent of their GDP in these counties’ bottom fifth by income; this will substantially erode local economies while compounding national inequality.

  • 5 Ways to Get Involved in the Climate Crisis or Global Warming.

    5 Ways to Get Involved in the Climate Crisis or Global Warming.

    Global warming is at an all-time high and world leaders need to act now if we want to avoid irreparable damage to the planet.

    Scientists warn that if temperatures continue their current path, Earth could reach tipping points — irreversible environmental changes — which may prove devastating for people, wildlife and natural ecosystems alike.

    Adaptation to climate change impacts is vital in protecting lives, livelihoods, homes and communities while alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable people. Furthermore, adaptation helps save and enhance natural defenses like mangroves reefs and wetlands that act as natural barriers against extreme events.

    1. Get involved in your community

    The climate crisis is an international challenge that must be solved collectively. It impacts every community, individual and natural ecosystem around us – leading to weather extremes, natural disasters, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, food and water insecurity, health risks, economic disruption and displacement; also having an especially harsh effect on poorer communities worldwide.

    But we can take steps to address it by working together on practical local solutions. Community groups have already been formed to combat this problem, with people from different backgrounds coming together to create an environmentally-friendly economy that is equitable. Solutions range from encouraging companies to adopt green policies, supporting public lands and stopping offshore drilling.

    One key part of combatting climate change involves switching away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources like solar and wind energy, since keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius requires substantial emission cuts across the economy.

    Every person can make an impactful statement against climate change by taking simple, everyday steps – like switching to a green electricity provider, taking sustainable transportation options or reducing meat intake – which will all have positive ripple effects in society.

    Voting and supporting candidates who support climate justice are also crucial steps toward creating change. Doing so enables elected officials to pass laws limiting carbon emissions and forcing polluters to pay their fair share, or you can donate money directly to environmental nonprofits like Greenpeace that work in your region – especially smaller nonprofits which may not receive as much national publicity, yet still need funding in order to do their work effectively.

    2. Support a local sports team

    With increased focus on carbon emissions reduction, many sports teams have taken steps to minimize their environmental footprint. This may involve replacing plastic straws with biodegradable ones or encouraging fans to bring reusable cups. It could even involve setting up community recycling stations at stadiums so it becomes easier for fans to dispose of waste properly.

    No doubt about it: the planet is in trouble and climate change has become a rising concern. Scientists and activists alike are demanding immediate responses to this problem, prompting media reports to begin using phrases like ‘climate crisis’ to highlight climate change’s dangers while creating an urgency around this matter.

    Sponsoring a local sporting team can be an excellent way of showing your commitment to your community, while encouraging young people to engage with sport from an early age. Furthermore, this action may increase visibility among potential customers while simultaneously helping promote your business and expand customer reach.

    Some teams even host hit-a-thons or shoot-a-thons where fans can donate a set amount per hit or goal scored by players – it can be an exciting way to raise funds for their team while encouraging fans to come watch their favourite players! This can also be used as an effective way of engaging fans who come out just for this purpose!

    One way you can show your support for climate action is to reach out to politicians. There are several organizations offering templates on how to write engaging letters or emails directly to politicians highlighting why climate action matters for your city, region or nation.

    3. Go green

    There are various ways you can go green, from switching to a renewable energy provider or recycling more. While these individual actions are beneficial, we must go further by calling for policy change – telling our MPs, local councillors and city mayors we want climate action now!

    They can create policies to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable living, including green spaces, public transport, cycling infrastructure, air quality monitoring and waste management. They can introduce subsidies for clean energy sources while setting prices on carbon emissions to protect natural carbon sinks. Finally, they could invest in climate solutions that benefit everyone such as energy efficient homes, green jobs and local food production.

    Pressure must also be exerted upon them to back international climate action, particularly among developing countries who are most at risk from global warming’s effects. This requires them to commit to fair climate finance allocation, climate justice framework and an equitable transition path for low-carbon economies involving vulnerable communities.

    Ask them to commit to reducing their carbon footprint through small steps such as switching off lights and appliances when not in use, cutting down on meat consumption (one of the major polluters of our atmosphere), shopping locally, and purchasing paper products with 100% recycling content. And if they own investments or pension funds, join a growing movement among people to divest from fossil fuel companies by diversifying them with climate-friendly alternatives.

    Share what you are doing to motivate friends and family to take action as well. Doing this can disprove the myth that nobody cares about climate change, making it easier for others to take part too.

    4. Volunteer

    Joining a social movement focused on environmental activities can have an immense impact. There are plenty of environmental-focused groups out there – so find one that resonates with you and join! Some great options to begin include Youth Strike 4 Climate, Possible, The Woodland Trust, Conservation Volunteers, Extinction Rebellion.

    One of the easiest changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint is eating less meat – not only is this good for the planet, but it’s much healthier too! Eating plant-based diets are one of the key ways of doing just that!

    Speaking with your MP or local councillor is another effective way of getting involved. They have the power to pass laws that will help address climate change. Activism on climate change should be of importance not just as a vote-winner but as part of creating healthy futures for their communities.

    Climate change is a global threat that will impact us all; however, there are solutions available that may help alleviate its adverse impacts – from saving forests to powering homes with renewable energy sources, from combatting deforestation to rewilding landscapes, blocking oil tankers to fracking sites or blocking oil tankers from crossing borders.

    But for these solutions to take effect, governments and corporations around the world must place climate change at the heart of their policies and business practices – this means confronting polluting industries head on while simultaneously working toward net zero emissions as quickly as possible.

    5. Make a difference

    There are various ways we can make an impactful statement; some more dramatic than others. It’s up to each of us as individuals, families and communities to decide how best we can contribute.

    It is evident that carbon emissions must be reduced and ecological restoration supported, with production and consumption patterns altered, low or zero emission transportation modes utilized, sustainable land management implemented and biodiversity protected and ecosystems conserved. Furthermore, we must enhance natural carbon sink capacity while increasing their resilience.

    One of the easiest things we can do to combat climate change is talk with our family and friends about it and educate them. Voting for politicians who take action against it is also crucial, so get to know your MP and local councillors – their decisions have an effect on green spaces, roads, cycling infrastructure, recycling bins, waste collection services and energy efficient homes – among many other issues.

    Make your voice heard and influence politicians by joining campaign groups such as Power for People. Take it a step further by switching your home energy provider to Good Energy or Ecotricity which both source their electricity from renewable sources.

    Saving water is another easy and efficient way we can contribute to environmental protection. Pumping, heating, and treating water consumes considerable energy; by cutting back our usage – such as taking shorter showers or only choosing energy-efficient appliances and fixtures – we can save energy while lowering greenhouse gas pollution levels.

    If your savings are currently invested with banks such as Triodos or Ecology Building Society, consider switching them over to more sustainable banks like Triodos or Ecology Building Society that invest in renewable initiatives instead of fossil fuel projects.

  • Climate Change and Climate Crisis – What can we do to make a difference?

    Climate Change and Climate Crisis – What can we do to make a difference?

    At some point in their childhoods, almost every child will encounter climate change hazards like air pollution, cyclones, disease and heatwaves; those in poverty tend to bear the brunt. Such threats threaten vital services like clean water supply, nutritious meals and secure shelter that are integral components of child wellbeing.

    Humans are contributing to global temperatures rising by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas which emit greenhouse gases that trap solar heat within Earth’s atmosphere and cause it to build up over time.

    What is climate change?

    Climate change occurs when Earth’s natural processes shift, altering everything we depend on – from global temperatures rising to weather patterns shifting and sea level rise. Climate change is caused by humans adding heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide to the atmosphere via activities like burning fossil fuels for factories, cars and airplanes, clearing forests or using agricultural land for growing crops.

    Gases blanket the Earth like a greenhouse, trapping solar radiation and warming it further. Some of these emissions come from forests and wetlands burning or when coal, oil and gas are burned for electricity production; others include methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and HFCs – chemicals used in refrigeration or aerosol sprays – along with CFCs/HFCs used in refrigeration or aerosol sprays used throughout refrigerators or aerosol cans used in refrigerators – CFCs/HFCs have increased temperatures worldwide by over one degree Celsius since 1900 due to these emissions.

    Warming due to increased greenhouse gases has had wide-reaching climate-related repercussions, including warming air and ocean temperatures; melting of Arctic, sea, and mountain glacier ice; changing rain patterns; and changes to wind, snowfall, and cloud cover.

    These climate change impacts are expected to worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced significantly. According to experts, keeping temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius or even less is the optimal way to mitigate climate change impacts.

    Climate change affects people worldwide, from those displaced by storms and floods to farmers whose crops fail due to changing weather patterns. Because the global climate is interdependent, impacts in one part can have far-reaching repercussions for everyone – for instance when food prices spike due to crop failures caused by drought. It is for this reason that climate change needs to be tackled collaboratively – hundreds of countries signed on to the Paris Agreement which pledges to limit future climate change while strengthening energy security.

    Why is climate change happening?

    Scientists overwhelmingly acknowledge that human activities are driving climate change and already causing negative consequences worldwide. Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas emits vast quantities of greenhouse gases – such as carbon dioxide (CO2). This heat trapping effect traps solar heat on Earth to raise temperatures around 1 degree Celsius worldwide since 1904.

    These warming trends will only worsen without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and it would be wise to limit temperature rise to 1.5C to reduce most of its harmful impacts and avoid passing so-called “tipping points”, where changes accelerate beyond what would normally be deemed safe.

    Climate change presents many risks for all species and humans alike, from rising temperatures and extreme weather events that disrupt habitats to altered food sources and migration routes, all the way through to changing ecosystems that support life on this planet.

    Climate change poses serious health and economic threats for humans. Rising temperatures increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses like heart and lung disease; air pollution caused by wildfires or climate change-related pollutants exacerbates respiratory ailments like asthma or hay fever; rising sea levels threaten coastline communities with flooding and erosion; more intense storms may damage critical infrastructure resulting in population displacement;

    Climate change impacts every community differently; those with more resources may be better able to shield themselves from certain impacts and adapt accordingly, while climate crises disproportionately afflict low-income and marginalized people worldwide.

    Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities. While wealthy nations have historically produced most greenhouse gas emissions, they’re also at least partly responsible for its costs and effects – especially as our planet warms, especially those living in low-income or Indigenous communities, or those relying on natural resources like fisheries or forests that are being degraded by global warming events. As our planet heats, those most at risk will bear its consequences the hardest – including those dependent on these natural resources like fisheries or forests which are being degraded due to global warming events.

    What are the impacts of climate change?

    Climate change is already having a global impact, negatively affecting human health and well-being. As temperatures increase and temperatures reach dangerous “tipping points”, which define how much warming Earth can take without suffering negative repercussions like biodiversity loss, water shortages or rising sea levels.

    Globally, climate change has already had devastating consequences, decreasing food production and fueling hunger and malnutrition. Furthermore, freshwater availability is falling drastically, increasing water-borne disease risks, as well as damaging homes, roads and infrastructure with floods and storms.

    Climate change is making accessing healthcare services increasingly challenging. Over 930 million people – roughly 12 percent of the global population – currently spend at least 10 percent of their household income on healthcare costs, yet climate change threatens efforts towards universal coverage. Climate shocks due to heatwaves, droughts, floods or wildfires exacerbate existing barriers and make life even harder for some communities, leading to poverty or increasing health disparities between and within populations.

    People living in poor nations that have contributed less to climate change are particularly susceptible to its impacts, as they lack resources necessary to respond and adapt. Their livelihoods also rely more heavily on an intact natural environment as many work in agriculture or other ecosystem-based economies.

    Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities by compounding existing disparities and disproportionalities, especially between low-income communities and communities of color. Droughts and flooding may wreak havoc with food supplies and access to medical services; droughts increase mortality rates, restrict crop yields and lead to decreased human productivity – leading directly to more disparate treatment of vulnerable groups such as vulnerable communities of color.

    Good news is that we possess both the technology and expertise to dramatically lower carbon emissions and stop climate change. While achieving this will take international cooperation and transformational actions, it is doable and necessary if we want to avoid climate change’s worst impacts and protect natural systems for generations to come. It is time for real, immediate, transformative action!

    What can we do to make a difference?

    Over 97% of scientists agree that human activities are responsible for climate change – burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas as well as cutting down forests (which play an integral part in maintaining global carbon management systems) to produce greenhouse gases such as CO2. Such greenhouse gases trap solar heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming by trapping heat in its orbital path before dispersion back onto Earth; furthermore they cause glaciers and ice sheets to melt, sea level rise, and changes to rainfall patterns.

    Climate change impacts us all; its impacts include more frequent and intense heat waves, reduced availability of fresh water and food supplies, biodiversity loss acceleration and conflict over land resources that drives mass migration as well as international peace and security threats.

    The global community has reached consensus that warming should not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, otherwise its consequences – such as heatwaves, flooding, drought, water shortages, wildfires, species extinction and crop failures – become harder to manage.

    Countries must act immediately to halt climate change’s harmful impacts, by ramping up efforts to cut emissions by setting more aggressive reduction targets and investing more heavily in renewable energy sources. They should also support developing countries in doing the same by sharing knowledge, expertise and financial assistance.

    Human health is also vulnerable. Climate change endangers essential ingredients of good health – clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply and adequate shelter – and makes disease more prevalent. Malnutrition, diarrhoea and malaria become even more pervasive due to climate change; decades of progress made towards public health initiatives are at stake due to this threat.

    Reversal of current trends is imperative, with countries making an immediate commitment to shift away from fossil fuels and stop wasting precious time. It is both morally and economically imperative to act now – failing to do so, future generations may pay an even higher price than anticipated.

  • The Future of Climate Change – What Can We Expect?

    The Future of Climate Change – What Can We Expect?

    By heeding the IPCC’s urgent advice to limit warming, we may be able to prevent crossing critical thresholds that could have irreparable repercussions for both people and nature.

    But if we continue releasing carbon dioxide at its current pace, the future of climate change could look very different. Warmer temperatures will have different effects in each region; lower- and middle-income countries may be particularly hard hit.

    Climate change is already happening.

    Rising concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases are warming our planet, altering rainfall patterns, and raising sea levels. Rising temperatures increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and heat waves while making crops less productive – leading to food shortages and placing species further at risk of extinction. Many of these changes have already begun taking effect and are predicted to intensify over time.

    But we can avoid some of these impacts by rapidly reducing emissions and slowing warming down. Every fraction of a degree that we delay will reduce human suffering and death while protecting more natural systems on Earth.

    Climate change is a complex phenomenon, making its effects impossible to accurately predict. Thankfully, scientists are constantly improving their knowledge of both natural and human factors that impact climate. Working collaboratively, they produce assessments reports to better inform us as to what’s occurring now, what may occur in the future, and what steps can be taken against it.

    One key factor is “feedbacks.” These positive or negative feedback loops can accelerate or slow climate change. As the atmosphere warms, more water vapour – another greenhouse gas with short lifetime but nonetheless an amplifier of warming – accumulates. Meanwhile, melting glaciers expose dark ocean surfaces and land surfaces to sunlight which further amplifies warming.

    Other essential feedbacks involve the sensitivity of climate systems to natural and human-induced forcings. For instance, some Arctic ecosystems are particularly sensitive to warming; as temperatures rise they could breach critical thresholds that lead to irreversible or catastrophic changes.

    These impacts are unevenly distributed around the world. Although developing countries have contributed the least greenhouse gas emissions, they will bear most of the consequences of climate change due to its devastating effects. Poor people often lack financial resources necessary for adaptation and are highly dependent on an intact natural world for survival, putting them at particular risk from extreme weather events and biodiversity loss.

    It’s happening now.

    Climate change is already having an enormous global impact, from coast erosion due to rising sea levels to polar bears’ exposure to hunger and disease as Arctic ice retreats; droughts threaten food supplies and freshwater supplies; heat waves increase deaths caused by malnutrition, dehydration and heart attacks – as well as deaths caused by coastal erosion due to rising sea levels.

    Warmer climates tend to bring with them heavier rainfall and storms. Increased water temperatures make coral reefs vulnerable to bleaching and increase the likelihood of flooding, while decreasing carbon sinks (land and ocean ecosystems) means that more carbon enters into the atmosphere as a result.

    Extreme weather events are projected to become increasingly severe around the globe, placing more people at risk from climate-related disasters. Climate change exacerbates existing inequities; poor countries that contributed the least to global warming will likely experience its worst effects and have less access to resources for adaptation.

    It is likely that the next few years will be among the warmest on record, driven by heat-trapping greenhouse gases and natural factors like an El Nino event. There is currently a 66% probability that near-surface global temperature will surpass 1998 record high temperatures by the end of 2018.

    As long as our emissions continue on their current course, it’s impossible for us to avoid passing key thresholds that would lead to irreversible climate change. These critical thresholds, or “tipping points”, would trigger domino effects across Earth’s climate system and accelerate and intensify any initial warming; such examples include Greenland Ice Sheet collapse or rapid thaw of Arctic permafrost that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

    But if we act now, we can reduce emissions and keep global temperatures from increasing by more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That is the goal of the Paris Agreement and requires unprecedented global cooperation and action by governments, cities, companies and individuals alike. Progress has already begun: states across the US are supporting renewable energy; mayors and city leaders have prioritized equity when developing climate action plans; while companies have pledged to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

    It’s happening in the future.

    Many changes already underway are projected to accelerate over the coming decades. We face record-shattering heat waves in California as well as devastating floods and droughts in Africa and Asia that threaten our livelihoods, which could worsen without significant reductions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases emissions.

    By cutting fossil fuel use in half by 2030 and eliminating carbon emissions entirely by the early 2050s, our world could still have a chance at keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Any delay will drastically diminish those odds and guarantee an ever more dangerous future for humanity.

    Scientists are witnessing unprecedented climate change worldwide and across Earth’s systems. Some changes such as continued sea level rise may become irreversible over hundreds or even thousands of years.

    Although climate pollution will have far-reaching impacts, human ingenuity and people’s shared desire to live on a cleaner world will enable us to reach net zero emissions by 2040. States, cities and corporations alike are advocating renewable energy; prioritizing climate equity policymaking; and pledge to reach net-zero emissions before 2040.

    Tackling global climate change will be no easy feat. To be successful in doing so, success must also include addressing intersecting crises of poverty, inequality and climate-related disasters that drive displacement – especially since climate-related impacts will disproportionately affect communities with limited resources.

    An important consideration when it comes to wildlife is how climate change will impact their lives. With temperatures shifting, many species will seek cooler environments or higher altitudes as temperatures change, or alter seasonal behavior altogether – creating massive shifts that alter ecosystems fundamentally or result in the extinction of many species.

    Coral reefs and Arctic sea ice will likely disappear completely under a 2-degree Celsius warming scenario, while beyond this threshold millions more will continue to experience life-threatening heat waves, water scarcity and coastal flooding.

    It’s a matter of time.

    The global climate system is an intricate network, and each element will take time to react to atmospheric changes. Response times will differ; for instance, atmosphere and upper layer ocean currents may adapt more quickly than deeper ocean or polar ice sheets.

    A doubling of CO2 emissions would result in global warming of about one degree Celsius, but its overall effect will likely be much greater due to feedback processes within the climate system which dampen or amp up initial warming effects. Scientists predict that different parts of the world may respond to climate change at differing rates, creating disparate environmental impacts across global regions.

    Humanity’s future hinges upon our ability to effectively address the climate crisis. By mitigating global warming and slowing its impacts, fewer people will be exposed to its impacts, while our civilization can move toward renewable energy sources more quickly. But accomplishing this requires more than human ingenuity; it also necessitates dramatic and rapid reductions of economic, social, and political factors that exacerbate its effects.

    Climate Change impacts can already be observed through increased sea level rise, reduced Arctic snow cover, hotter temperatures, severe droughts and wildfires occurring more often, as well as more intense heat waves – many occurring more rapidly than anticipated by scientists.

    Climate change has devastating impacts on our natural environment, endangering species globally and placing at risk more than half of all animal species on Earth – from iconic icons like Polar bears and Amazon rainforest inhabitants, such as iconic icons such as Polar bears or iconic creatures like beetles and coral reefs, through to less well-known creatures like beetles and coral reefs. Climate change also exacerbates biodiversity loss through direct exploitation (hunting/poaching) as well as indirect degradation (land conversion to agriculture).

    In order to protect biodiversity, comprehensive climate solutions that include strategies that reduce other threats-such as poverty and inequality-are key. Furthermore, to avoid catastrophic levels of warming by 2050 it will be vitally important that greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide are brought down significantly through reductions in coal, oil, and gas usage, plus an unprecedented effort by governments, businesses and individuals alike.

  • How to Adapt to the Effects of Climate Change?

    How to Adapt to the Effects of Climate Change?

    Climate change is an increase in global average temperature caused by human activities – particularly the burning of fossil fuels that add heat-trapping greenhouse gases to Earth’s atmosphere. But people can adapt to climate hazards and take advantage of opportunities that come with changing weather conditions.

    Communities around the world are getting better at doing this. They are building flood defenses, planting drought-resistant crops and protecting critical infrastructure from storm damage.

    Water

    Clean, safe water is essential for life. Yet around 450 million people lack access to adequate water supplies, and this number is growing as climate change makes floods and droughts more frequent. Floods contaminate and damage sanitation systems, which can increase the spread of deadly pathogens such as cholera; severe droughts reduce food production, increasing hunger and malnutrition; and rising sea levels increase salinity in drinking water sources. Droughts and floods also reduce agricultural productivity and increase costs of water-intensive industries such as tourism and energy.

    In addition, increased temperatures are expected to cause more water to fall than the soil and vegetation can absorb, resulting in floods or excess runoff. This water can pick up pollutants like fertilizer and carry them into larger bodies of water, contaminating drinking water supplies. It can also degrade water quality by raising water temperatures and causing the growth of Harmful Algal Blooms.

    As a result, water is one of the most critical climate adaptation priorities. But many of the tools available to address climate change-related water impacts – such as insurance, managed retreat via home structural mitigations and beach nourishment, or evacuation – have yet to be implemented in sufficient scale, nor are they accessible to all communities at risk.

    Adaptation strategies for water must be integrated into broader development, climate action and resilience efforts. They can be broadly classified as nature-based or technology-driven, and must include both. Nature-based mitigation strategies such as restoring and maintaining healthy ecosystems act as carbon sinks and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while technological approaches such as improved drainage and water storage can provide protection against climate hazards and promote sustainable development.

    IUCN has been active in the area of water and climate, with an emphasis on implementing the IUCN Global Water Programme, which provides a platform for sharing experiences. The programme focuses on improving water management in a changing climate and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the targets on climate change. However, in order to make a difference, global dialogue must transition into implementation and country-driven actions.

    Heat

    As extreme heat blankets the world, claiming lives and disrupting food production, water supplies, and more, people are learning how to adapt. But unlike hurricanes, wildfires and floods, adaptation to blazing temperatures is more complex and expensive. From opening cooling centers and extending public pool hours to girding electric grids for peak air-conditioning demand, climate adaptation to heat takes many forms.

    Communities need to become more resilient, from the ground up. The Paris Climate Agreement aims to increase resilience in all sectors of society, including education, water, and housing. This work is happening on a large scale, from building flood defenses to designing new schools that are more heat-tolerant. In urban areas, this may include improving street design and reducing the “urban heat island” effect – where streets, buildings, and pavement amplify the intensity of heat waves.

    While reducing heat-trapping emissions can help reduce the severity of climate change, it is important to prepare for the impacts that are inevitable. This is why the 2015 Paris Agreement includes, for the first time, an adaptation goal.

    Scientists predict that global warming will lead to more extreme weather and disasters, particularly in rural and low-income countries. Developing nations and communities that experience the most severe climate hazards also have the least resources to cope, which means they will face additional risks to their livelihoods, health, and wellbeing.

    This is why climate adaptation must go hand in hand with mitigation – cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent of future warming. The world is currently on track to warm even more than the target agreed in Paris, which could be catastrophic for communities around the globe.

    The good news is that we have the tools to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to those that cannot be avoided. But we need to move faster if we want to avoid the most devastating effects of warming. The upcoming climate talks at COP26 in Glasgow offer an opportunity to raise ambitions on both mitigation and adaptation. It will be crucial that developed nations make a concrete commitment to support developing nations’ ability to adapt to unavoidable climate impacts, including heat.

    Food

    Climate change affects all aspects of our lives, from homes to health and food. The goal of adaptation is to reduce the risks of these climate impacts by learning how to cope with them. That means preparing for floods, heat waves, wildfires, and drought, while taking advantage of potential benefits like longer growing seasons and increased yields in some regions.

    Many of the same actions we take to mitigate climate change – such as cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding carbon “sinks” – can also help us adapt. But adaptation involves a different set of steps, and it’s crucial to make sure we have a plan in place.

    One of the most important ways to adapt is through our diets. Changing our habits can have a profound impact on the world’s climate, even if we do everything else right.

    For example, eating less meat and more plant-based foods will help reduce the amount of water used to grow crops. And reducing the waste we produce will cut down on emissions, too. About 1 billion tons of food – or 17 percent of the world’s food supply – ends up in trash bins each year. That adds up to a huge amount of greenhouse gases.

    Eighty percent of the world’s crops are rainfed, and climate change is altering rainfall patterns, increasing droughts, and making extreme weather more common. This is putting food security at risk for millions of people, especially in the world’s poorest regions.

    Rising temperatures also speed up evaporation from soil and plants, leading to reduced irrigation and water shortages. That may lead to more flooding and crop failures – as well as more pathogens and pollutants that can make their way into our food supplies.

    To combat these impacts, countries are implementing a range of adaptation strategies. Find out how your country is adapting by looking up its National Adaptation Plan. And see how communities are using nature to protect themselves from climate threats – like restoring mangrove forests in Kiribati that serve as a barrier against sea-level rise and provide fish, shelter, and water for humans and wildlife alike.

    Energy

    The climate changes caused by our greenhouse gas emissions are already putting pressure on energy systems. These include the power plants that provide electricity, as well as natural gas and oil pipelines and refineries. Increasing temperatures and rising sea levels will affect the reliability of those systems, increasing the risk of outages. They are also affecting the availability of water, which is critical for energy production. As the climate warms, melting polar ice and shifting rain patterns can reduce freshwater supplies. That’s especially important for energy-adjacent activities such as farming, cooling, and transportation.

    Fortunately, we can slow the pace of climate change. We can also invest in technologies that will help make our energy infrastructure more resilient to future challenges. That’s why it’s so important to support the clean energy transition, including renewable and storage technologies. It will benefit our businesses, our communities and the environment.

    Climate actions can significantly reduce the cost of a range of climate impacts, from hurricane damages to power system costs and residential utility bills that increase as the climate changes. In fact, one study found that if we don’t rein in our climate-related losses, those costs could reach the level of GDP by 2025 and more than double to GDP by 2100.

    In our current policy scenario, the additional energy needed to adapt to climate change adds up to about 5000 GtCO2eq by the end of the century. In more stringent mitigation scenarios that keep global mean temperature below 2.5°C and even lower in those that are well below, the total energy use for adaptation is much smaller.

    The difference is mainly due to variation in the cost of generation. Developing and tropical regions with low electricity efficiency and slower energy transitions will experience higher energy needs for climate change adaptation. The impact is also amplified by the direct effect of increased thermal comfort humidity on peak electricity demand, which can amplify power system costs and contribute to heat stress on equipment. Those effects are partly offset by behavioral changes in heating and cooling appliances, the use of more efficient new buildings and business models and a reduction in energy consumption from better urban planning.

  • Global Temperatures Rise: How Global Warming Fuels Extreme Weather?

    Global Temperatures Rise: How Global Warming Fuels Extreme Weather?

    When global temperatures rise, they give more heat energy to the atmosphere. This in turn can make droughts and wildfires worse and lead to flooding when it rains.

    Scientists are studying how these extreme events may be linked to climate change. To understand this emerging field, Carbon Brief has mapped every attribution study on the subject to date.

    Climate Change

    For decades, engineers, land-use planners and risk managers have used thermometers, rain gauges and satellite data to calculate the probability of extreme weather events. But a warming planet is making those events more frequent and intense – with consequences felt throughout the country.

    The human-caused rise in greenhouse gases traps heat and warms Earth’s air and oceans, causing the water cycle to shift, changing weather patterns, and melting land ice. It’s also increasing the strength of storms, affecting their size and where they form, and increasing the amount of rainfall associated with hurricanes and other tropical cyclones.

    Warming temperatures are also boosting sea level, which increases the impact of coastal storms and puts more stress on freshwater supplies during droughts. The warmer atmosphere also holds more water vapor, which leads to more frequent and severe flooding, especially in urban areas with poor drainage.

    A growing number of climate-related disasters are occurring in the United States, from hotter summer temperatures to more frequent and severe wildfires. But it can be challenging to attribute any single event to global warming because many factors, like natural climate variability and regional variations, can affect the odds of a particular weather event.

    A new study from Stanford researchers, however, reveals that the common scientific approach to predicting the likelihood of an extreme event by analyzing how frequently similar events occurred in the past can significantly underestimate those chances. The findings can improve how scientists assess and incorporate global warming into predictions of future extreme weather.

    Weather Patterns

    The Earth’s rising temperatures can intensify extreme weather events, such as heat waves, heavy rain and floods, and droughts. Scientists can confidently attribute the increase in these events to human-caused climate change, but it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of individual events.

    To understand how global warming influences extreme events, scientists use a combination of history and models. They compare observations from Earth, air, sea and space to the results of climate models that simulate how the planet’s climate changes over time. This is called event attribution. Scientists also look at human activities that can amplify the impact of extreme weather, such as urban planning, wetland destruction and building homes in floodplains.

    For example, rising ocean temperatures can make category 3 and higher Atlantic hurricanes more severe because they absorb more energy from the warm waters. Global warming can also make rainfall more intense, which can lead to more flooding and land erosion.

    Researchers have conducted hundreds of event attribution studies for the most common types of extreme weather. This interactive map shows how many of these studies find that human activity has made the event more likely or severe (red), less likely or severe (yellow) or no influence at all (blue). Click on a circle or hexagon to see the number of studies in each category.

    This map is updated annually to include new studies. The dotted lines show the range of confidence in the findings: high confidence means that the finding is very likely due to human activity, medium confidence means that the finding is likely due to human activity, and low confidence means that the finding is not very likely or may be inconclusive.

    The map includes studies of the three most common types of extreme weather: heat waves, heavy rain and flooding, and droughts. Studies of 152 extreme heat events found that human activity made the event more likely or severe, while only one study of a drought found no effect. This year’s study of 126 flood events and 85 droughts showed similar results. Scientists have less confidence in the effects of climate change on extreme cold events, and they are inconclusive about the effects of changing sea levels on storm surges and coastal flooding.

    Weather Forecasting

    Weather forecasting has evolved from a manual process involving hand-counted thermometers and rainfall gauges to computer-based models that take many atmospheric factors into account. But human input is still required to select the most appropriate model and evaluate its accuracy. This requires pattern recognition skills, knowledge of the climate system, teleconnections and experience evaluating model performance over time.

    Weather experts are able to save lives by alerting people when dangerous conditions are coming and giving them the chance to prepare for what’s ahead. They also help governments at the local, state and national levels understand what areas are under threat so that they can prepare accordingly and make sure essential services are available to residents who need them.

    But a growing body of evidence shows that global warming is making extreme weather events more likely. And that’s creating new risks for people and the economy. For example, sea level rise makes it more likely that more coastal storms will produce flooding, while warmer temperatures cause land ice to melt, which in turn can add water to the world’s oceans.

    Warming also contributes to drier conditions, as moisture evaporates more easily from soil and water bodies. This can lead to wildfires, and it can increase the intensity of droughts, as seen in California this summer.

    Engineers, land-use planners and risk managers have long used historic weather records to calculate the probability of certain extreme events. But a new Stanford study reveals that not accounting for the influence of climate change when predicting future events can significantly underestimate their likelihood, with potentially devastating consequences for humans. This is because the lower atmosphere is becoming warmer and moister due to greenhouse gas emissions, a factor that can make some extreme events more likely.

    Climate Models

    Scientists use computer models to create simulations of our climate – everything from how moisture evaporates off the Earth’s surface and forms clouds, to where wind carries them and where rain falls. The interactions of these small-scale processes add up to the overall picture of our climate system, which includes how temperatures vary over time and place.

    The models can help predict extreme weather by simulating a range of different scenarios, for example how the occurrence and intensity of hot days or heavy rainfall would be affected by human-caused climate change. For the most accurate results, scientists compare model output with real climate data from a number of sources. This process is called “bias correction,” and it’s a critical part of the modelling process, according to Maraun.

    As we’ve seen in the devastation from wildfires and floods across western Europe, the window of predictability for extreme weather is shrinking as our planet warms. And that’s a problem, because engineers, land-use planners and risk managers use the frequency of extreme events to estimate the likelihood of costly impacts such as heat waves or flooding.

    A recent study by Stanford University professor Noah Diffenbaugh found that a common scientific approach to estimating the odds of such events, based on historical observations, can significantly underestimate the effects of global warming. By analyzing how frequently extreme events occurred in the past and comparing them with future predictions, the researchers found that even small increases in global warming amplify the frequency of hot spells and downpours.

    In contrast, models that take the rate of climate change into account perform better at predicting temperature trends over time. The higher resolution of some newer models – down to grids 2 kilometres squared – may also help them get more accurate with regional extremes, such as the heatwave that hit North America last summer.

    It’s important to remember, though, that the current extremes we are experiencing were already predicted by climate models, and the predictions will only become more accurate as our understanding of the climate system improves. And as we continue to reduce emissions, models will be able to better predict how global warming affects the chances of hot days and heavy rainfall in the future.

  • Fossil Fuel Companies and Their Action Against Climate Change

    Fossil Fuel Companies and Their Action Against Climate Change

    Fossil fuel companies make billion-dollar profits from extracting and selling coal, oil and natural gas. They are also responsible for producing greenhouse gases, which cause climate change.

    Despite being aware of the risks, some fossil fuel companies are spreading misinformation and obstructing policies to move away from fossil fuels. They must be held accountable for their actions.

    Coal

    The global energy industry has a huge opportunity to make a rapid shift away from fossil fuels and towards clean renewables. But a new analysis by InfluenceMap shows that big oil companies are spending far more on advertising about climate change than they are on green investments.

    The world’s largest energy companies have publicly embraced the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But this vision isn’t reflected in the decisions that they make with their money and lobbying power.

    Fossil fuel companies are spending billions of dollars on advertising about their “green” investments—and at the same time investing millions in new coal, oil and natural gas production. It’s a clear sign that they aren’t taking the threat of climate change seriously.

    It’s been more than a century since scientists first documented the link between fossil fuel burning and climate change. Now there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that Earth’s temperature is warming and human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels, are largely to blame. Global warming is already causing rising sea levels, devastating wildfires and destroying crops. The impacts are hitting low-income communities and people of color hardest.

    But the fossil fuel industry is trying to hide its role in this disaster. It’s denying the science and attempting to confuse the public. And it’s working to limit the reach of the legal system, which could force it to hand over years of internal documents that reveal what its executives knew about climate change and when they knew it.

    A lawsuit filed in Minnesota last fall aims to do just that. It accuses Exxon, Koch Industries and an industry trade group of deception, false advertising and consumer fraud. The lawsuit, like others across the country, alleges that fossil fuel companies have engaged in a campaign of misinformation to discredit and delay climate action. It’s a lawsuit that could force the oil companies to produce evidence of their misdeeds and expose their attempts to conceal them. It’s a process that could take years, but it’s a crucial one in the fight to protect our planet and the lives of people who depend on it.

    Oil

    Many of the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies, such as ExxonMobil, have come under scrutiny over their knowledge of climate change. The company was accused of spreading misinformation to protect its profits, and this has led to a series of lawsuits. In some cases, it is alleged that the company knew about climate change in the 1960s, and this evidence has been used to support claims that the company hid this information from the public.

    The company’s scientists were aware of the risk posed by burning fossil fuels, and they warned management that the company would need to take steps to reduce its emissions. However, they were told that this would have a negative impact on the company’s bottom line. This was despite evidence that the planet was warming and that humans were responsible for this, and a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the 1990s recommended limiting future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to less than two degrees Celsius.

    In recent years, politicians and environmentalists have accused the company of delaying action on climate change by funding organisations that spread doubt about the science. It has also been alleged that it funded front organisations with neutral, scientific-sounding names. For example, the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee alleges that ExxonMobil funded the George C Marshall Institute, which was involved in a sham petition to President Bush to deny manmade global climate change.

    A number of lawmakers have called for an end to fossil fuel industry funding for groups that discredit climate science. They argue that such money is preventing the country from taking effective action to curb global warming and is harming the lives of poor people, particularly those in low-income communities.

    Despite this, it is important to recognise that not all fossil fuel companies are bad, and that some have taken a constructive approach towards tackling climate change. For instance, some have embraced the goal of becoming net zero carbon businesses by 2050.

    The overarching issue is that fossil fuel corporations have failed to address climate change adequately and are allowing a dangerous planetary crisis to escalate. As a result, policies that aim to limit climate change must be rigorously applied. Those policies must focus on reducing demand for fossil fuels, not simply lowering GHG emissions. This is why efforts that restrict fossil fuel production, such as eliminating oil and gas drilling on US public lands or banning hydraulic fracturing, are so important.

    Natural Gas

    Natural gas has been billed as a “cleaner” alternative to coal and oil because it produces significantly less climate-warming pollution when burned. Unfortunately, it also emits a substantial amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) during its production and transmission. In addition, methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is a potent GHG that traps heat in the atmosphere 28 to 36 times more effectively than carbon dioxide. Minimizing methane releases along the natural gas value chain is one of the most important things we can do to reduce its climate footprint.

    Natural gas is extracted from shale and other types of sedimentary rock by forcing water, chemicals and sand down a well under high pressure. This process, known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking, enables access to fossil fuels that wouldn’t be economically viable to produce using older technology. Since the late 1980s, fracking has become increasingly efficient and widespread as companies develop new technologies and obtain regulatory waivers. As a result, the United States has become the world’s largest producer of natural gas, displacing Russia.

    Once drilled, natural gas is sent through pipelines to locations where it will be used for electricity generation, heating homes and businesses, and as a raw material for various industrial processes. Demand varies daily and seasonally, so natural gas is stored in large volumes underground to be available when needed.

    The natural gas industry is committed to reducing its environmental impact through innovation, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce, and exceeding customer expectations. The AGA Playbook is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about how the American natural gas industry is delivering on its commitment to sustainability, affordability and innovation.

    The United States is the second-largest GHG emitter, and most of our emissions come from burning fossil fuels. However, reducing U.S. GHG emissions alone will not be enough to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Significantly reducing global demand for fossil fuels by phasing out their combustion without carbon capture and storage or use, along with other GHG-reducing measures like energy efficiency and renewable energy, will be necessary.

    Tar

    As the world faces climate change, fossil fuel companies are trying to portray themselves as clean energy leaders. But the reality is they’re using their billions to fund climate denial and delay action. Now, lawsuits by coastal cities, Midwestern states watching “mega-rains” wreak havoc and fishing communities struggling with declining catches are demanding that they take responsibility for the damage their products cause.

    The fossil fuel industry is facing a reckoning. For decades, it has hidden evidence that burning its products is causing climate change and misleading the public about its effects. A growing field of research called attribution science links heat-trapping gases from the burning of fossil fuels to quantifiable changes in our climate — like rising temperatures, sea levels and ocean acidification. Several new lawsuits allege that ExxonMobil, the US’s largest oil company, engaged in a decades-long conspiracy to deceive customers and investors by funding groups with neutral, scientific-sounding names to deny the existence of manmade global warming.

    Exxon’s own scientists documented the effects of fossil fuel combustion on our planet’s climate, and in 1978, it even equipped one of its tankers with equipment to monitor air and water temperatures to track carbon dioxide emissions. But, year after year, its executives continued to invest in fossil fuels and ignore the mounting scientific warnings.

    Today, Exxon is facing a wave of lawsuits filed by cities and states across the country – all accusing it of hiding what it knew about climate change while pushing its products to consumers. Unlike the tobacco lawsuits, which were settled out of court in 2000, these cases are being prosecuted under a civil law known as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). And they’re likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

    To avoid catastrophic climate change, the world needs to stop producing and consuming fossil fuels and transition to a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) economy by 2050. Many of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies support these goals publicly, but their lobbying and spending suggest they have no intention of slowing down their fossil fuel production.

  • The Benefits of Plant-Based Diets: A Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyle

    The Benefits of Plant-Based Diets: A Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyle

    Plant-based diets have been growing in popularity over the past few years as people become more conscious of the environmental impact of food choices and the potential health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. A plant-based diet consists of a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and excludes meat, dairy, and other animal products. In this article, we will explore the benefits of plant-based diets and why they are considered sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices.

    The Benefits of Plant-Based Diets for Health

    1. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: One of the most significant benefits of a plant-based diet is its potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Studies have shown that plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. The high fiber, nutrient-dense content of plant-based foods, combined with the absence of saturated fats and cholesterol found in animal products, makes them an excellent choice for reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
    2. Weight Management: A plant-based diet can also help with weight management. The high fiber content in plant-based foods can help individuals feel full and satisfied while consuming fewer calories. Additionally, plant-based diets tend to be lower in fat and calories than diets high in animal products, making them an effective tool for weight loss and management.
    3. Improved Digestive Health: Plant-based diets are also associated with improved digestive health. The high fiber content in plant-based foods promotes regular bowel movements and can prevent constipation. Additionally, some research suggests that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
    4. Improved Nutrient Intake: Plant-based diets can provide better nutrition compared to diets high in animal products. Plant-based foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for maintaining optimal health. By consuming a variety of plant-based foods, individuals can ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs.

    The Environmental Benefits of Plant-Based Diets

    1. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Plant-based diets, on the other hand, have a much lower carbon footprint and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing our consumption of animal products, we can help reduce the environmental impact of our food choices.
    2. Conservation of Natural Resources: Animal agriculture requires large amounts of water, land, and other resources. By reducing our consumption of animal products, we can conserve these resources and reduce our impact on the environment. For example, it takes approximately 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, whereas it takes only 220 gallons of water to produce one pound of tofu.
    3. Reduced Deforestation: The production of animal products also contributes to deforestation, as forests are often cleared to make way for grazing land and feed crops. Plant-based diets can help reduce the demand for animal products and, in turn, reduce deforestation. By choosing plant-based options, we can help protect natural habitats and promote biodiversity.

    Tips for Adopting a Plant-Based Diet

    If you are interested in adopting a plant-based diet, here are some tips to help you get started:

    1. Start Slow: It can be overwhelming to completely overhaul your diet, so start by incorporating more plant-based meals into your routine. Begin by swapping out one meal a day with a plant-based option, and gradually increase the number of plant-based meals you consume.
    2. Experiment with New Foods: There are many delicious plant-based foods out there, so don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different recipes. Explore different cuisines and ingredients, and have fun with your plant-based cooking.
    3. Make Sure to Get Enough Nutrients: When adopting a plant-based diet, it is important to make sure you are still getting all the nutrients your body needs. This includes getting enough protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. While plant-based foods can provide these nutrients, it may be necessary to supplement your diet with fortified foods or supplements.
    4. Plan Ahead: Planning your meals in advance can help ensure that you are getting a variety of plant-based foods and meeting your nutritional needs. Meal prepping and cooking in bulk can also save time and make it easier to stick to a plant-based diet.
    5. Connect with Others: Joining a community of like-minded individuals can be a great way to stay motivated and get support as you transition to a plant-based lifestyle. Look for local groups or online communities where you can connect with others and share recipes, tips, and advice.

    Conclusion:

    In conclusion, plant-based diets offer numerous health and environmental benefits, making them a sustainable and healthy lifestyle choice. By reducing our consumption of animal products and incorporating more plant-based foods into our diets, we can improve our health, reduce our environmental impact, and promote a more sustainable future. Whether you choose to adopt a fully plant-based diet or simply incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine, the benefits are clear. So, why not give it a try and see how a plant-based lifestyle can transform your health and the planet?

  • Countries Affected by Rising Sea Levels

    Countries Affected by Rising Sea Levels

    Several countries are currently experiencing the effects of rising sea levels. This includes Kabul and surrounding areas in Afghanistan, New York City, and Miami Beach. These countries are all undergoing floods and atolls are also in danger. In addition, there are conflicting claims to the ocean’s resources and rights.

    Flooding in Kabul and surrounding regions

    During the past 30 years, the water supply in Afghanistan has suffered from the effects of drought, flooding, and desertification. These effects are due to the combination of climatic changes, a decrease in rainfall, and the deforestation of land. It is essential to find ways to preserve the river water for the future.

    The Kabul River, which forms part of the Kabul River System, rises in the mountains of central Afghanistan. It flows north to Pakistan and eventually joins the Indus River near Attock. The water of the Kabul River supports over 300,000 ha of intensively irrigated areas in Afghanistan. During recent drought years, the Kabul River has run dry several times.

    The Kabul River has a flow of 33 to 460 m3/s. However, this is not enough water to reach the aforementioned Amu Darya. In fact, all other rivers in northern Afghanistan have insufficient water to make it to the Amu Darya. The Kunar River, a tributary of the Kabul, provides much of the flow in lower Kabul.

    Flooding in New York City and Miami Beach

    During the last century, the global mean sea level has increased by about 8-9 inches. That’s not much, but it’s up from about 0.06 inches per year in the early part of the century. And that rate has accelerated. It has jumped to 0.14 inches per year since 2006.

    A report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that in the next 30 years, the seas in the United States will rise by about 10 inches. And that means coastal flooding is going to happen.

    And that’s bad news, especially in places like New York City and Miami Beach. These cities are in coastal Florida, and the sea level rise there is a real threat to their neighborhoods.

    There is also the problem of the storm surge. When a hurricane hits, the seas rise, and the surge travels inland. It can damage homes and businesses. It’s worse when the storm is a bigger storm with stronger winds.

    Flooding in Atolls

    Coastal regions that are exposed to sea level rise face a high risk of storms and floods. These events can be damaging to buildings, crops, and other infrastructure. The risk is particularly high when a large storm or tidal flood occurs. These events can also contaminate freshwater reserves and lead to salt water intrusion. Coastal defenses, including mangroves, can prevent wave overwash.

    Sea level rise is a significant stressor for coastal island nations. It has been estimated that global sea levels will increase by 3 to 4 millimeters per year over the next couple of decades. This is expected to increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding. It also has the potential to make many islands uninhabitable by 2050.

    Among the coastal regions that are most sensitive to climate change are coral atoll islands. These atolls are small areas of land that sit a few metres above sea level. In recent years, coral atolls have grown larger in size. However, they have also remained stable.

    Conflicting claims to ocean resources and rights

    Maritime boundary disputes are becoming increasingly important for states in the 21st century. They are not simply political issues, but often reflect locality-specific realities, worldviews, and management regimes.

    This article explores transformations in ocean conflict, focusing on four issue areas: maritime spatial planning, conflicting claims to ocean resources, rights of countries affected by rising sea levels, and ocean reconciliation. It suggests that this problem is unlikely to be resolved until radical ocean governance is applied.

    These changes are driven by exogenous forces such as climate change, blue growth, and the rush to capitalize on ocean resources. These factors challenge existing management regimes and lead to conflicting claims by nations. The resulting ocean conflict thwarts efforts to implement the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

    These changes are also driven by locality-specific dynamics such as state-initiated marine spatial planning and socio-environmental interactions. Conflicts may also flare up after big traumatic events. In the case of the South China Sea, tensions are strained between China and Vietnam.