FtF News #178 – 19th April 2023
Peak electricity emissions, measuring climate-induced heritage loss, and recreating past weather from mediaeval manuscripts
Hello again! We’re back with another shorter issue this week, perhaps still in somewhat of a post-Easter lull. Nevertheless, it feels representative of the messy progress we’re making on the climate, from the ever-evolving machinations of global climate finance to the G-7 agreeing to phase out unabated fossil fuels, but still refusing to commit to a date. There are breakthroughs and positive notes, but so much still to do!
Once again, this week’s issue was ably assisted by Syuan Ruei Chang, who contributed a number of the articles and stories featured this week. If you spot any stories you’d like to share, you can submit them here.
Wild Weather
Mother nature’s reactions to the ever-warming world
France’s drought appears to be worsening, with the country likely headed for an even drier summer than last year, with groundwater levels at record lows.
It’s Science!
The latest from in climate research and analysis
The UN FAO has issued a new report looking at the outsize climate impacts faced by women in agriculture, as well as what can be done to remedy the situation.
A recent conference attempted to address the complex issue of how climate change impacts culture and heritage, and how such losses can be measured and addressed.
Analysis suggests that levels of five CFCs are on the rise, despite the gases being banned in the 1980s for their effects on the ozone layer.
Scientists have combined mediaeval accounts of lunar eclipses with tree ring data to date past volcanic eruptions and hence trace historical environmental conditions.
This article looks at how the research AUVs dubbed Boaty McBoatface have been instrumental in ocean research since their introduction.
Party Political Broadcast
Climate politics are a special creature indeed
The G-7 met in Japan to discuss climate action and changing the energy system, although the host nation massively lags its peers in zero-carbon power and EV adoption.
The meeting did result in new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind – 1TW and 150GW respectively by 2030.
However, they failed to reach an agreement on a phase-out date for unabated coal or gas, agreeing only to ‘the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels’ with no firm date attached.
Denmark has joined the list of countries planning to exit the controversial Energy Charter Treaty, which has been used by oil companies to challenge green policies.
Money makes the world go around
The machinations of climate finance
New analysis suggests that Bangladesh will need around $1.71bn/yr for the next 18 years to move away from fossil fuels and generate 40% of its power from renewables.
The need for financing for the climate crisis has never been greater, and backers of the World Bank are pushing to reshape the institution to tackle it. However, they’re not too keen to pay for it, at least not right now.
New analysis has found that the top 10 hedge funds made £1.5bn in profits from food price spikes caused by the invasion of Ukraine, and may well have driven much of the vast price increases seen that have caused hardship worldwide.
On a similar thread, some are arguing that oil executives are war profiteers given the huge profits they raked in following the energy crisis caused by the invasion.
Haha, Business!
Climate happenings in the corporate world
DAC company Climeworks has published a ‘manifesto’ on how offsets and net-zero should evolve, calling for emissions reductions and carbon removals to be separated with explicit targets for each, to avoid corporate greenwashing.
The Future is Electric
Renewables, EVs and all things electrification
According to energy think tank Ember, global CO2 emissions linked to electricity generation may have already peaked as of 2022.
The EPA has unveiled new emissions rules that push for as many as ⅔ of new cars in the US to be electric by 2032, more than 10x current levels.
Battery swaps may have fallen flat for cars, but they’re proving a popular model for scooters, and are powering electric two-wheel adoption across Asia.
Breakthroughs
New inventions to inspire hope
Sila Inc. has announced that its silicon anode battery tech is ready for production – offering as much as 20% more range for the new Mercedes SUVs it will be launched in.
Chipotle has been trialling all-electric restaurants as part of a bid to lower the impact of the chain, including changes such as cooker hoods that are >30% more efficient than the original designs.
Climate Inequity
A hard look at the inequities of the climate crisis
An Ecuadorian court has upheld the ‘rights of nature’ to block a major copper mine in the Intag Valley, part of an ongoing battle by communities in the valley against mining interests that has lasted for 30 years.
Official documents have shown that the UK Prime Minister took £500,000 of private jet flights in less than a fortnight, making it hard to believe he stands behind the UK’s climate goals.
Speaking truths
Efforts in activism and awareness
One of the two Democrats expelled recently from the Tennessee legislature, Justin Pearson, is not only an advocate against gun violence, but also a powerful voice for climate justice, helping lead a fight against a pipeline planned through majority black communities.
The book ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ has been adapted into a film, examining why people might turn to more serious action if non-violent protest fails to have effect.
Long Reads
Interesting deep-dives into climate-related topics
‘1 trillion trees’ campaigns have appeared a few times, presented as potential ‘quick-win’ solutions to climate change, but of course, things are rarely that simple. This excellent article breaks down the complexities, drawbacks and limits of such schemes, as well as why they’re so appealing to their backers.
This beautiful, if somewhat sad article features stunning photographs of Louisiana’s disappearing coastline from the air.