FtF News #90 – 24th February 2021
Fiddling whilst Texas freezes, the start of an EV shift, and the UN’s not mincing words
Hello, and welcome to Forge the Future, your weekly rundown of the latest climate news.
It’s been more than a little depressing seeing the headlines pouring out of the US this week (see Adverse circumstances for more). It’s a stark reminder that, even as the evidence mounts higher month on month, year on year, there are still plenty of powerful folks the world over who either don’t care, or are actively spreading disinformation about the climate crisis. Yet again, those impacted are those on the ground – everyday people – folks who don’t care about political point scoring, who just want to stay warm, and dry, to keep the lights on and the water running. But we live in an age where facts are optional, even as people freeze to death.
On a slightly lighter note, I thought I’d mention that for those of you on Twitter, I’ve taken to loyally tweeting out FtF every week with a few extra stories I don’t have space to include here. So if you want a few extra climate news snippets, or maybe are wondering why I missed <insert major climate story here>, check out the weekly thread! As a bonus, you might catch my slow descent into madness as COVID-induced solitary confinement continues ad infinitum 😛
State of the world
Climate research and findings, weather events and studies
The UN have released a new report – “Making Peace with Nature” – which is a pretty damning indictment of humanity’s impact on the globe. Alongside an array of terrifying statistics, the report for the first time makes major suggestions on the actions needed for a liveable world. It calls for changes in taxation, how we value economic output, how people get around, fish, farm and what we eat. I’ve not made my way through the full report yet, but unlike previous reports, which have been fairly cautious, this looks to not mince words, a refreshing, if concerning change of tack.
To highlight the benefits if we do act, Carbon Brief this week featured a new study which looks at the health impacts that could result from major nations adopting policies in line with the Paris Agreement. It focuses on air pollution, healthier diets and active lifestyles, and found that Paris Agreement-compatible policy changes could save nearly 9 million lives per year by 2040 across all three areas. It once again highlights that not only are climate compatible policies a necessity for long term wellbeing of humanity and the planet, but they have significant positive effects aside from the pure climate outcomes.
Speaking of air pollution, a study has for the first time looked at correlations between air pollution exposure and infertility. Initial results suggest couples living with moderately higher levels of air pollution had a 20% greater chance of infertility. This simply adds to the mountain of evidence linking air pollution to a litany of health conditions.
Planet positives
Moving towards a greener and more equitable world
A sign of (electric) things to come?
This week saw Ford invest $1bn in retooling their facilities in Cologne for EV production, as they announced plans for their entire European passenger vehicle range to be electric by 2030. Not to be outdone, Jaguar announced that they will be all-electric by 2025, with their sister marque Land Rover dragging its heels a bit, with a 60% all-electric target for 2030. It feels like possibly the election of the Biden administration, along with heightened green ambitions in the EU, have pushed the major car makers to finally accept the inevitable and properly retool for electric. It’s only been a couple of weeks since GM announced that its lineup will be all-electric by 2035, and with Tesla’s valuation still astronomical, maybe, just maybe, the car industry is seeing the writing on the wall. Here’s hoping!
The new announcements may also be a result of the meteoric growth of EVs, particularly in Europe, with Norway reaching over 50% of new car sales last year. Battery packs are still falling in price rapidly, and experts keep revising the dates where EVs will reach price parity with combustion-engined vehicles ever closer. It seems surreal to think it may only be a few years before EVs are markedly cheaper than anything containing an engine!
Adverse circumstances
Events that move the needle in the wrong direction
Frozen Fossil Fuels
Much of the central and southern US has been in the grip of a polar vortex for the last week or so. It’s not directly attributable to climate change, but if not a direct consequence, is certainly part of the wider pattern of steadily more extreme weather sweeping the globe. What marks this event out, aside from the unusually extreme and cold weather blanketing normally balmy Texas, is the massive failure of utilities – both power and water being cut off for many. Whilst almost every major news outlet has now reported on the true cause of the blackouts – unexpected cold weather causing both overwhelming demand, alongside power plants icing up in the freeze – much of the coverage has been dominated by conservatives in Texas and elsewhere placing blame on renewables.
Texas does have both wind and solar as part of its grid, but whilst some wind turbines were disabled by the weather, by all accounts it outperformed expectations. However, that hasn’t stopped conservatives, including the state’s governor, from going on the offensive and blaming iced up wind turbines and snowed over solar for the blackouts. Meanwhile, many on the ground feel abandoned, left without power and water for days. Even those who did manage to retain power are now being hit with astronomical power bills, tens or hundreds of times what they would normally pay, as power prices skyrocketed due to Texas’ largely isolated grid. The failures are many, but ultimately, those who are paying are ordinary folks just trying to get by.
Long Reads
Interesting deep-dives into climate-related topics
The New York Times dives into the murky world of corporate climate targets and promises. With so many differing approaches and types of declarations in so many different industries, even seasoned climate journalists struggle to track who means business, and who’s merely greenwashing. Perhaps, as more and more firms look to clean up, it’s time to introduce global standards for tracking and reducing corporate emissions?
A look at IKEA’s plans to reduce its impact on the world really brings home the scale of the transformation the global economy needs to undergo. The vast corporation is now trying to reduce both direct impact as well as that of its products and supply chain to become ‘climate positive’ by 2030 – a tall order indeed. What really becomes apparent is just how much more involved a company must be in every aspect of its operations to become truly green. Whilst IKEA seem committed to this path, how many other firms will be prepared to go to such lengths in the name of the planet?
Quick Headlines
Some quick climate news nuggets to sate your appetite
Indian police have arrested the 22-year old leader of Fridays For Future India on charges of sedition after she shared a document in support of the farmers’ protest.
A planned expansion of Paris Charles de Gaulle airport has been scrapped over environmental concerns.
Major shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk has committed to building no more ships powered solely by fossil fuels, and will launch the world’s first carbon-neutral cargo ship in 2023.
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