The Amazon rainforest, the greatest remaining in the world, faces a new threat − from the policies espoused by Jair Bolsonaro, the ex-army captain who is now Brazil’s president-elect. The forest is globally vital for its ability to store atmospheric carbon released by the burning of fossil fuels.
Climate News Network 16th Nov 2018 read more »
China, Russia and Canada’s current climate policies would drive the world above a catastrophic 5C of warming by the end of the century, according to a study that ranks the climate goals of different countries. The US and Australia are only slightly behind with both pushing the global temperature rise dangerously over 4C above pre-industrial levels says the paper, while even the EU, which is usually seen as a climate leader, is on course to more than double the 1.5C that scientists say is a moderately safe level of heating.
Guardian 16th Nov 2018 read more »
Independent 16th Nov 2018 read more »
Brazil’s new foreign minister believes climate change is a Marxist tactic to instil fear, stifle the economic growth of western countries, and benefit China. The appointment of Ernesto Araújo, who has been named by president-elect Jair Bolsonaro as the country’s top diplomat, will be a major cause for concern for those already alarmed at the extent of global climate collapse. Brazil’s outgoing government has already been heavily criticised for “inviting deforestation”, in the Amazon – the world’s largest and most biodiverse rainforest, which is vital for soaking up carbon emissions. But under Mr Araújo, it appears efforts to balance environmental protection and economic development may tilt further towards business interests.
Independent 16th Nov 2018 read more »
A middle-class band of music teachers, civil servants and retired psychologists have been trained by experienced eco-activists to cause “chaos” in London today to force the government to enact radical laws on climate change. A “day of rebellion” has been organised by Extinction Rebellion (ER) with the aim of blocking five bridges across the Thames. A Times reporter attended a meeting where the leadership advocated smashing windows and spraying graffiti to get arrested. They plan to block Southwark, Blackfriars, Waterloo, Westminster and Lambeth bridges. The activists, who compare themselves to First World War conscientious objectors, have won backing from Lord Williams of Oystermouth, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Julia Bradbury, the television presenter, and George Monbiot of The Guardian. The group calls for the government to “enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels”. Net zero means that any remaining emissions are balanced by systems that remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also call for the creation of a “citizen’s assembly” to oversee the changes “in a mobilisation of wartime like proportion” in reducing energy use and economic consumption. Richard Black, director of the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, which supports strong action, said the group’s 2025 target was “an ambition that technically, economically and politically has absolutely no chance of being fulfilled”. It would mean banning flying, scrapping 38 million petrol and diesel vehicles and disconnecting 26 million gas boilers – all within seven years. About 50 of the group’s activists were arrested this week after gluing themselves to government departments and blockading Downing Street.
Times 17th Nov 2018 read more »
We have a decade to prevent dangerous climate change: these 10 policies can save us. The vast majority of GHG emissions come from a handful of countries – nearly 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by just 20 countries. Energy use (power plants, vehicles, and buildings) or industrial processes (cement or iron and steel manufacturing) is the predominant source of emissions in these countries, so focusing efforts accordingly can drive the fastest emission reductions. We have the technology today to rapidly move to a clean energy system – and the price of that future, without counting environmental benefits, is about the same as a carbon-intensive one. So the challenge is not technical, nor even economic, but rather a matter of enacting the right policies and ensuring they are properly designed and enforced.
Energy Post 15th Nov 2018 read more »