Hello, and welcome to Forge the Future, your weekly rundown of the latest climate news.
This week has seen an increased coverage of the ongoing farmers’ protests in India, as well as a worrying crackdown by the Indian government on such coverage. The protests have been going on for months, and show few signs of abating, but have largely escaped international attention until recently. The farmers are protesting agricultural reform laws which they say will harm many who already struggle to make a living, pushing them aside in favour of commercial interests. It’s not hard to see parallels with climate-related protests, not least the government’s attempts to paint the farmers as radicals and terrorists for daring to question their narrative.
State of the world
Climate research and findings, weather events and studies
A Himalayan glacier has shattered, causing a sudden, massive flood which has wiped out several in-progress hydropower projects and swept away over 100 people in Uttarakhand province, northern India. Climate change has struck the Himalayas hard, with glaciers melting at an unprecedented and accelerating rate. The meltwaters of the region support millions of people, but glaciers there might be gone entirely by the end of the century. Critics have pointed fingers at local government planning for allowing hydropower projects to be approved so close to fragile glaciers, saying that environmental assessments were ignored in the approval process.
A new report from Chatham House has labeled the global food system as the biggest driver of destruction of the natural world. Agriculture is the primary threat to 86% of species at risk of extinction, and without changes, biodiversity loss will only accelerate. The root cause is a vicious cycle of cheap food, which drives greater demand (and food waste), which in turn drives more destructive forms of agriculture. The report recommends a wide shift to plant-based diets, a restoration of ecosystems, and a move to less intensive and less damaging forms of farming, even if those result in lower yields.
Research has directly linked the increased threat of a deadly flood in Peru to anthropogenic warming. The study has decisively linked climate change to the increased chance of an outburst flood from Lake Palcacocha, which could threaten 120,000 people living in nearby Huarez. The finding is important as there is currently an ongoing lawsuit against German energy company RWE brought by local farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya, demanding the company pay for the extra costs for him to protect his home against the floods. The scientific link could bolster the case, and establish precedent for similar cases against utilities across the globe.
Planet positives
Moving towards a greener and more equitable world
China tests its green mettle
Much has been made recently of both China’s newly established net-zero carbon goal and its vast array of planned and in-progress coal power plants. Many have pointed out that the huge growth of coal in the country is at odds with its environmental ambitions. It seems that the country agrees, with an unusually blunt report published this week by a government inspection body – the Central Environmental Inspection Team (CEIT). This body called out the central government’s National Energy Administration for not limiting expansion of coal plants.
This new report is significant, because it has the backing of both the State Council and the Central Committee, which gives it teeth. The CEIT was specifically formed to expose and disrupt the protection of high polluting industries by local government, and this report also comes just before the finalisation of China’s next five year plan, meaning its findings may well inform the next round of government policy.
Adverse circumstances
Events that move the needle in the wrong direction
Fueling our future
State-owned fossil fuel companies have $1.9tn of investments planned over the next decade, the impacts of which have the potential to push the world past major climate targets. So-called National Oil Companies (NOCs) are responsible for the majority of production, and control 90% of the world’s reserves of oil and gas. Such firms are generally accountable only to select officials within their respective governments, and often are not bound to climate change targets. In addition, for some less developed countries, oil and gas revenues often make up a significant portion of government funding, meaning alternatives must be found or the countries may risk being stranded in poverty.
Whilst NOCs may be carrying on like there’s no tomorrow, the Western oil majors are feeling the impact both of COVID-19 and the climate crisis, with many firms booking huge losses for 2020. ExxonMobil reported losses of over $20bn – its first ever annual loss – in a year that saw it lose 40% of its market value. BP and ConocoPhillips were amongst other firms reporting multi-billion dollar losses.
Long Reads
Interesting deep-dives into climate-related topics
Nuclear power is divisive, to say the least. One of the biggest looming questions is the matter of storing high-level nuclear waste for the massive time periods it needs to decay to safe levels. Japan has been trying to find a safe location for such a repository for years, but struggles with public sentiment, which has swung heavily against the technology. Even the prospect of massive investment isn’t enough to bring otherwise struggling communities fully on board with the idea of storing nuclear waste in their vicinity. This story highlights the importance of education in the implementation of any plan, and how poor public support can scupper even vital projects.
Chennai is one of the world’s wettest cities, but is now in an ever worsening oscillation between flood and drought. The city ran out of water entirely in 2019, a story I covered in one of the first FtF issues. However, whilst the problems it faces are being exacerbated by climate change, the city’s story is one repeated around the world – one of rapid urbanisation and poor planning. The solutions it is now considering will likewise be useful for many other growing cities worldwide.
Agriculture in the US has shifted ever more white, as black farmers have been gradually forced out by decades of racism and unfair lending and land ownership policies. The Biden administration may start to help redress this balance as part of its stronger stance on environmental and racial justice, but there’s a very long hill to climb.
Quick Headlines
Some quick climate news nuggets to sate your appetite
A Paris court has found that the French state failed to meet its commitments on GHG emissions.
Daimler is to split its car and truck businesses, in part to fund the transition to battery and hydrogen powertrains.
Most of the major car makers that opposed California’s stricter emissions rules have now dropped their resistance to the move.
That’s all I have for you this week. As always, thank you for reading, and if you liked it, why not share it with a friend? If you’ve any thoughts, feedback or suggestions, I’d love to hear them – you can reach me at oli@forgethefuture.com.
Stay safe, wear a mask, and see you next week,
Oli