FtF News #186 – 9th August 2023
Fires, floods and yet more heat, but the UK wants to ‘max out’ oil and gas
It’s a strange time at the moment. As the past few issues of this newsletter can attest, the weather is getting ever more extreme, and the signs of climate change are all around us, from extreme heat and wildfires to unseen levels of rainfall and flooding (and in some cases, all of the above!).
However, we’re also seeing a complete lack of political ambition on the climate, and even an abandoning of previous targets (I’m looking at you, Rishi Sunak). It’s increasingly obvious that we need to act, and that we have the solutions to do so. What’s needed is rapid and emphatic political action, but right now, we’re really not seeing it. Can someone find a way to make climate change appealing to voters (and thus politicians)? I sincerely hope so!
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
Typhoon Doksuri has caused widespread flooding across SE Asia, with at least 12 killed in the Philippines and Taiwan, and more than 20 in China. China has made massive efforts to implement so-called ‘sponge cities’ to accommodate flooding since 2012, but recent rainfall is so extreme even these measures are being overwhelmed.
At least six people were killed in Slovenia after catastrophic rainfall and flooding across central Europe, with damage estimated to be more than €500m.
The eastern US has seen extreme rainfall and storms which have cut power to over 1m homes and killed at least two people, with tornado warnings issued for D.C.
South America is seeing a record warm winter, with the Chilean Andes recording nearly 40°C and Buenos Aires over 30°C, as Argentina experienced its hottest winter day in over 100 years.
Iran has called for a two day public holiday in what might be the first national shutdown due to extreme heat with temperatures near 50°C predicted.
Heat has killed several in South Korea and Japan, with heat-related deaths over three times that seen last year. South Korea is currently hosting the World Scout Jamboree, but a number of countries have withdrawn after the heat caused hundreds to fall ill.
As much as 80% of the world’s population experienced at least one day of climate-induced heat in July.
At least 34 people have been killed by wildfires in northern Algeria, and another person in Tunisia.
Canada’s wildfires have emitted more than double the emissions of all other sectors of its economy combined, with months still to go in the fire season.
Greece’s wildfires have already emitted over 1m tonnes of CO2 in July – the worst in at least two decades.
It’s Science!
The latest from in climate research and analysis
The most comprehensive analysis to date has concluded that a vegan diet results in 75% less emissions, water pollution and land use than a diet with more than 100g of meat a day.
Climate attribution studies have found that recent heatwaves in the US, Europe and China were all made massively more likely by climate change.
A new study has found that extremes of heat and cold are linked to more fatal heart attacks, and this effect is exacerbated by heavy air pollution.
A full third of North America’s birds have vanished in the last 50 years, with grassland and backyard birds particularly badly hit.
A new study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse anywhere from 2025-2095 unless emissions are reduced drastically.
There are over 170tn plastic particles floating on the surface of the sea, amounting to over 2m tonnes of plastic, according to the biggest study yet of floating plastic.
Analysis has shown that the UK’s fee on single-use plastic bags has cut their use more than 98% since retailers started charging for them in 2015.
Party Political Broadcast
Climate politics are a special creature indeed
G-20 ministers failed to reach an agreement on key climate issues after another summit, with divisions remaining on a number of key issues including the phase-down of fossil fuel use.
Major talks on the future of deep sea mining ended with no agreement, despite most nations wanting a moratorium.
UK PM Rishi Sunak has caused outrage by vowing to ‘max out’ the UK’s oil and gas reserves, as he seems bent on systematically demolishing the UK’s previous climate leadership.
His announcement prompted Greenpeace to cover his Yorkshire mansion in black fabric whilst he was off holidaying in California with his family.
Meanwhile, a Greenpeace investigation has found that over 300,000 hours of sewage spills occurred in or near protected areas in the UK last year, despite government claims that these would be given highest priority to be fixed.
An end to Germany’s famous unlimited speed autobahns would result in nearly €1bn in welfare savings, but faces pushback from a vocal political minority.
Brazil’s environment minister has announced a more than 60% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon versus last July.
Money makes the world go around
The machinations of climate finance
Ratings firms are still not taking climate factors properly into account despite the growing risks of climate impacts, putting the global $133tn bond market into question.
Haha, Business!
Climate happenings in the corporate world
BP has reported Q2 profits of £2bn, sparking a fresh wave of outrage as the firm continues to profit from the climate crisis.
Clean Green Energy Machine
Renewables versus coal – a look at the changing energy system
The US is considering raising fees on oil and gas extraction on public lands for the first time in a century, including the clean-up fees that help cap the countless wells that lie abandoned across the country.
The US DOE has committed $450m to install rooftop solar and back-up battery systems for some of Puerto Rico’s most remote and vulnerable residents.
Egypt is suffering rolling black-outs as the current high temperatures combine with an economic crisis and fuel shortages to push the grid beyond capacity.
Utility-scale solar has taken off in recent years, but that will naturally also bring a wave of waste as panels begin to wear out in huge numbers. The solar recycling industry is still nascent, however, but is likely to grow enormously in the coming years.
Long Reads
Interesting deep-dives into climate-related topics
Despite the dominance of cars in the US, some areas are trying a different approach, such as this development in Phoenix, Arizona, which is entirely car-free, but faces an uphill battle against not only car-centric planning, but the ever escalating heat of the region.
Singapore is well-known as a tiny but very wealthy island nation, and as such is both highly exposed to the climate crisis but also well financed to tackle its impacts. It is still a long way from where it needs to be, but is pioneering innovations that could help many across the world.
Competitive round-the-world sailors cross areas of ocean few others reach, and as such, are at the forefront of ocean research, willingly equipping their boats with sensors despite the speed penalty, to help understand more about the vast ecosystem they see changing year by year.