@ted_weber
Ted Weber
123 w
Forest protection and restoration are an absolute must if we want to prevent the worst scenarios of climate change. The IPCC models do not fully incorporate increases of fire and forest pathogens, and the world has already reached tipping points like Amazon rainforest dieback and CO2 release from there. Reducing emissions alone will not stop this process. Not only is this a biodiversity and regional climate catastrophe, the desertification of Brazil could push global climate change into a runaway hothouse scenario. It is imperative to halt deforestation and restore stressed areas--this must be a global goal.
Ted Weber
6 d
BlackRock is reneging on its climate commitments, for example quitting Climate Action 100+, a global investor coalition pushing companies to rein in climate-damaging emissions. This is an appalling move backward, and puts our future at risk. https://www.climateaction100.org/news/climate-action-100-reaction-to-recent-departures/
Climate Action 100+ reaction to recent departures | Climate Action 100+
Climate Action 100+ can confirm that JP Morgan Asset Management, State Street Global Advisors, and PIMCO have decided to withdraw from the initiative. BlackRock (“BlackRock, Inc.
https://www.climateaction100.org/news/climate-action-100-reaction-to-recent-departures/
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5 d
Dear Ted Weber Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to BlackRock by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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6 d
Very disappointing, we don't have time to waste, stop backtracking on your commitments!!
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6 d
We should not be taking step backward after we agree is moving on. Going back seems as if we are not serious.
Ted Weber
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CCAN is a grassroots NGO fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in the USA. Through CCAN's tireless efforts, Maryland has passed bold climate legislation over the past 15+ years, becoming a national leader and an example for other states. https://chesapeakeclimate.org/
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6 d
Good job CCAN..this is very commendable.more people should follow in ure footsteps
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Good work CCAN for the great job you are doing .It is encouraging to see organizations who want nothing but to fight with climate change .This is the way to go
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Congratulations Chesapeake Climate Action Network, you are doing a tremendous job
Ted Weber
1 w
Electric vehicles require far less energy to operate than gas-powered cars: 29% less if the electricity comes from burning coal, and 77% less if the electricity is from renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. And of course, EV's charged (and initially constructed) using renewable energy emit zero CO2. https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/electric-vehicles-use-half-the-energy-of-gas-powered-vehicles/
Electric vehicles use half the energy of gas-powered vehicles » Yale Climate Connections
They’re just much more efficient.
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/electric-vehicles-use-half-the-energy-of-gas-powered-vehicles/
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I think if the price of EV vehicles can be made affordable, many will have a chance to purchase them thus reducing the rate of pollution. The price should be made friendly.
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Great statistics. The problem is that EV cars are too expensive to buy especially in developing nations. They should be made more affordable
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We need to find a way to make electric vehicles mainstream especially in countries that are most hit by climate change effects. These machines are not common there and if they were, perhaps they could make a difference in the emission numbers
Ted Weber
1 w
State Street Global Advisors quit Climate Action 100+, a global investor coalition pushing companies to rein in climate-damaging emissions. This is an appalling move backward, and puts our future at risk. https://www.climateaction100.org/news/climate-action-100-reaction-to-recent-departures/
Climate Action 100+ reaction to recent departures | Climate Action 100+
Climate Action 100+ can confirm that JP Morgan Asset Management, State Street Global Advisors, and PIMCO have decided to withdraw from the initiative. BlackRock (“BlackRock, Inc.
https://www.climateaction100.org/news/climate-action-100-reaction-to-recent-departures/
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It's extremely disappointing to witness any backtracking on climate commitments.
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Everyone should be leading in the fight against climate crisis to reach green energy. Companies should also back us in this battle & not them ruining the climate.
Ted Weber
1 w
JPMorgan Chase's investment arm quit Climate Action 100+, a global investor coalition pushing companies to rein in climate-damaging emissions. This is an appalling move backward, and puts our future at risk. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/jpmorgan-fund-arm-quits-climate-action-100-investor-group-2024-02-15/
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This puts our future in jeopardy and undoes progress in fighting climate change. We need companies to stay committed to such vital initiatives instead of stepping back from them.
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Sad to see J.P Morgan go back on their word to commitment in taking care of the environment. Backing off Climate Action 100+ is a bad call.
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Its sad to see firms and corporation backtrack on their climate commitment.
Ted Weber
2 w
The EU nature restoration law will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security. To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to Natura 2000 areas until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240223IPR18078/nature-restoration-parliament-adopts-law-to-restore-20-of-eu-s-land-and-sea
Nature restoration: Parliament adopts law to restore 20% of EU’s land and sea | News | European Parliament
The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240223IPR18078/nature-restoration-parliament-adopts-law-to-restore-20-of-eu-s-land-and-sea
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A good move by the European parliament towards nature restoration in a bid to support the ecosystems and ensure the planet is well taken care of
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A strong commitment to rejuvenating diverse ecosystems
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This is great news, European parliament has shown great commitments towards nature restoration
Ted Weber
2 w
Happy World Wildlife Day! This day is set aside to recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. What does wildlife have to do with climate, you might ask? Protecting wildlife and their functional roles in ecosystems is a critical component of natural climate solutions. Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere, but the associated animals help maintain plant productivity, diversity, and resilience through pollination, seed dispersal, selective herbivory, and the enhancement of soil nutrient supply and organic carbon storage. Experimental studies have shown that many wild animals exert outsized control of carbon sequestration by adding 15–250% more carbon in plants, soils and sediments compared to where they are absent. For example, by stimulating vegetation productivity and impacting soil respiration and carbon storage, bison can increase the net carbon capture of tallgrass prairie by 1340 g CO2/m2 during the growing season and shortgrass prairie by 163 g CO2/m2, as well as decreasing soil CO2 release by 1240 g CO2/m2 per year. These dwarf the associated effects of bison respiration and methane release. Wolf predation on moose in boreal forests sequesters 140 ± 72 g CO2/m2 per year. As species are lost from an ecosystem, those that depend on them for food, pollination, or other needs, also begin to disappear. This can decrease overall productivity and resilience. At a certain point, it becomes a “Jenga effect”—pull out too many pieces, and eventually the structure collapses. Examples include forest turning to grassland and coral reefs becoming expanses of sand. Such ecosystem collapses accelerate climate change and worsen its effects. (citations available on demand)
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This is great day we need to celebrate our wild animals as it give biodiversity
Ted Weber
4 w
Most of the world's population wants to fight climate change, but that majority thinks they are the minority. In a survey of 130,000 individuals across 125 countries, 69% of the global population would contribute 1% of their monthly income to fight climate change, 86% endorse pro-climate social norms, and 89% demand intensified political action. Countries that are more vulnerable to climate change show a greater willingness to contribute. Wealthier countries are less willing to contribute than poor countries. Although most people are willing to contribute to fighting climate change, only 43% of people believe that others would contribute as well. In other words, we systematically underestimate others' willingness to contribute to fighting climate change. Reasons for this perception gap include media and public debates that disproportionately emphasize climate-skeptical minority opinions, the influence of special interest groups, and political inaction. These perception gaps can form an obstacle to climate action. The prevailing pessimism regarding others’ support for climate action can deter individuals from engaging in climate action, thereby confirming the negative beliefs held by others. Therefore, the results suggest a potentially powerful intervention: a concerted political and communicative effort to correct these misperceptions. Peer-reviewed article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01925-3
Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action - Nature Climate Change
Global support and cooperation are necessary for successful climate action. Large-scale representative survey results show that most of the population around the world is willing to support climate action, while a perception gap exists regarding other citizens’ intention to act.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01925-3
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3 w
Creating awareness would really help 💯
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4 w
This is why social tipping points are important!
Ted Weber
5 w
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is implementing a stunning reversal of climate-friendly policies, with new plans to “max out” oil production. After 18 months, he even refuses even to appoint a new chair for the country's committee on tackling climate change. Please write PM Sunak at [email protected] or call him at 020 7219 5437 and tell him the folly of his climate policies, and that he must do better! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/30/uk-must-act-urgently-to-meet-climate-commitments-says-watchdog
UK must act urgently to meet climate commitments, says watchdog
Committee urges UK to set ‘powerful example’ of tackling climate change after ‘mixed messages’ of Cop28
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/30/uk-must-act-urgently-to-meet-climate-commitments-says-watchdog
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4 w
Is he listening to himself even? How is that possible? You cannot run from the truth, the truth here being you need to phase out fossil fuels!
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5 w
Petitions, organized protests, or engaging with local representatives might have a broader impact.
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5 w
Not all is bad, yet it is a slow done to the end. I think many countries forget it's about what they all do together that counts, national is just a start. UK need to accelerate on more areas. The build out of Nuclear is happening but can be much more supported outside commercial investments. To give such projects a boost from the start. Brexit hasn't helped at all. And the partially the Russian war is an explanation.
Ted Weber
5 w
Coal is the biggest driver of the climate crisis, and Adani Group is planning to develop more new coal than any other private company in the world. In Australia, Adani Group is expanding its Carmichael coal mine without the consent of the local Wangan and Jagalingou people. In India, Adani has bought at least 12 new coal mines since 2020, and is planning new coal-burning power stations and a highly-polluting coal-to-plastics plant. Adani Group is complicit in climate chaos, rampant environmental destruction, and violation of Indigenous land rights. Adani can change its ways and switch from coal to renewable energy, and transform from climate supervillain to climate superhero. For more: https://www.stopadani.com/
Stop Adani
We're serious about stopping Adani's mega coal mine and solving the climate crisis. Are you in? #StopAdani
https://www.stopadani.com/
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Dear Ted Weber Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Gautam Adani by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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5 w
This is very bad !Action should be taken to stop coal mine by Adani group .We cannot be having some few individuals or groups who want to be against everyone take on investing in renewable energy
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The Stop Adani Group's efforts to halt the expansion of coal mining and burning are crucial in the fight against climate change. Coal remains a major contributor to the climate crisis, and the Adani Group's plans for coal expansion pose significant environmental and social risks. From disregarding the consent of Indigenous communities in Australia to purchasing new coal mines in India, Adani's actions contribute to climate chaos, environmental degradation, and the violation of Indigenous land rights.
Ted Weber
5 w
Java 9 & 10 is a planned expansion project of the existing Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Banten, Indonesia. About 80% of the construction of the project has been completed to date (September 2023), and is planned to be fully operational in 2025. The two-unit expansion presents major climate and public health risks. Java 9 & 10 will generate emissions of over 250 million tonnes of CO2 during its lifetime, resulting in huge climate impacts. Furthermore, the economic, energy and development argument for Jawa 9 & 10 is weak. The Java-Bali grid where the project is located already has the highest level of electrification in the country (around 99%) and over 40% of the electricity produced in the region is excess. 57.2% of the country's power requirements are met by coal. This expansion project will only mean that more coal will be used, thereby leading to increased levels of emissions and pollution. The Banten Province has become an epicentre of air pollution due to the presence of numerous coal fired power plants releasing nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and particulate matter. Java 9 & 10 will contribute significantly to this. The new plants would require 9,572,000 tons of coal per year, further increasing the air pollution in the area. For more: https://www.banktrack.org/project/java_9_10
Java 9 & 10
BankTrack is the international tracking, campaigning and NGO support organisation focused on banks and the activities they finance.
https://www.banktrack.org/project/java_9_10
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5 w
This is unacceptable. We can't still be having discussions about coal plants. Dispeakable!
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Coal operations should be discouraged at all cost
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This is devastating, coal plants must be stopped by all means to protect the environment.
Ted Weber
5 w
The world’s 60 biggest banks poured over $5.5 trillion over 7 years into the fossil fuel industry, driving climate chaos & causing deadly local community impacts. Read the report: https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/
Banking on Climate Chaos 2023 - Banking on Climate Chaos
The world’s 60 biggest banks poured over $5,500,000,000,000 over 7 years into the fossil fuel industry, driving climate chaos & causing deadly local community impacts.
https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/
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5 w
These corporations take profits over planet very seriously and we have to stop them before they drive us extinct
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Can't the banks invest on clean renewable energy and still make margins
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If the public and their clients get aware of how their money is being invested by these 60 big banks, I guess narrative can change.
Ted Weber
9 w
My article on the U.S. Fifth National Climate Assessment, focusing primarily on its relevance to wildlife: https://defenders.org/blog/2024/01/top-takeaways-national-climate-assessment
Top Takeaways from the National Climate Assessment
The new Fifth National Climate Assessment, an interagency report on U.S. climate change impacts, risks, and responses, paints a severe picture of the climate crisis. The news of current and future climate impacts, however, is not all dire as there are encouraging trends in mitigation and adaptation responses.
https://defenders.org/blog/2024/01/top-takeaways-national-climate-assessment
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Thanks for sharing!
Ted Weber
9 w
The Indian government said it plans to double coal production, reaching 1.5 billion tons by 2030. The power minister Raj Kumar Singh set out plans to add 88 gigawatts of thermal power plants by 2032. The vast majority of these will burn coal. From the press release: Some of the major initiatives undertaken include Single Window Clearance, amendment of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to allow captive mines to sell up to 50% of their annual production after meeting the requirement of the end use plants, production through MDO mode, increasing use of mass production technologies, new projects and expansion of existing projects, and auction of coal blocks to private companies/PSUs for commercial mining. 100% Foreign Direct Investment has also been allowed for commercial mining. Coal India Limited has planned to enhance its coal production through expansion of mines (brownfield projects) and the opening of new mines (in pristine areas). https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1984999 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1984999
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9 w
This decision seems to prioritize short-term energy security over the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants. Unacceptable!
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Coal production is a great danger to our environment and must be stopped, India authorities must work around the clock to stop its production.
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Investing more on coal mining is quite unthinkable of India
Ted Weber
10 w
(from Reuters): The Polish government ordered a state-run company that manages more than 7 million hectares of the country's forests to curtail logging in 10 areas, delivering on a campaign promise following elections last October. "We have decided to stop logging in the most valuable forest areas. It's time to get saws out of the Polish forests," Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska told a news briefing on Monday. Hennig-Kloska said the ministry's decision, to be in place for six months, is a first step before a systemic solution that will further limit logging in such woodlands. According to public opinion polls, 75% of Poles believe that logging should be reduced. Last month, more than 100 environmental groups called for a moratorium on logging in the oldest and most precious forests. The measures concern 10 locations, including the Carpathian Forest in the southeastern corner of Poland as well as Augustow and Knyszyn Forest in the northeast. A total of 1.5% of the woodlands managed by state forests will be affected, the minister said. Hennig-Kloska said the ministry supports increasing acreage of existing national parks and creating new ones, including in the Carpathian Forest. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-orders-halt-logging-10-oldest-forest-areas-2024-01-08/
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This is a positive step towards preserving biodiversity and protecting these crucial ecosystems.
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Our forests should be protected from unscrupulous logging
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Great news!
Ted Weber
10 w
I was appalled to learn that 80% of municipal landfills in the U.S. do nothing to capture the methane emitted from decomposition of food waste. The methane emissions from U.S. landfills in 2021 were approximately equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 23.1 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. At the same time, methane emissions from landfills represent a lost opportunity to capture and use a significant energy resource. https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas Globally, landfills are major contributors to climate change, and their methane emissions are expected to increase 70% by 2050. A landfill in Mumbai, for example, was putting out about 85,000 tonnes of methane per year, according to a study by the World Bank. The Buenos Aires landfill emitted some 250,000 annual tonnes. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/landfills-around-world-release-lot-methane-study-2022-08-10/ https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/d3f9d45e-115f-559b-b14f-28552410e90a Controlling and capturing methane from landfills is a low-hanging fruit that should be addressed immediately to limit the damage from climate change.
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It's terrible that US is doing nothing about this landmines
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It is clear that measures need to be put in place to capture methane emitted by US landfills
Ted Weber
10 w
In the face of the climate and biodiversity crises, financial policies are woefully inadequate, riddled with loopholes and including little recognition of human rights. Most banks have NO policy at all to prevent financing deforestation, biodiversity loss or rights abuses. More from @Forests_Finance: https://forestsandfinance.org/banking-on-biodiversity-collapse
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This is quite insensitive and worrying
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This is a sickening number
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They should stop financing these companies this new year if at all they care about themselves and others
Ted Weber
13 w
The latest State of Finance for Nature report shows nearly $7 trillion is invested annually in activities which are harming nature, while investments in nature-based solutions total only around $200 billion. It’s time to flip these numbers around, towards solutions that work for nature! https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-annual-finance-flows-7-trillion-fueling-climate-biodiversity
Global annual finance flows of $7 trillion fueling climate, biodiversity, and land degradation crises
Dubai, 9 December 2023 – Close to $7 trillion is invested globally each year in activities that have a direct negative impact on nature from both public and private sector sources - equivalent to roughly 7 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - according to the latest State of Finance for Nature report released today at COP28 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners.
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-annual-finance-flows-7-trillion-fueling-climate-biodiversity
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This stark contrast in investment highlights the urgent need to redirect financial resources towards nature-based solutions for a sustainable future.
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The State of Finance for Nature report reveals a stark contrast: nearly $7 trillion is invested annually in activities harming nature, while only around $200 billion is allocated to nature-based solutions. It's imperative to flip these numbers, redirecting investments towards sustainable, nature-friendly solutions. A paradigm shift in financial priorities is crucial for a harmonious coexistence with nature. 🌿💰 #NatureInvestments #ClimateActionNow
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It is time we publicly displayed info of the organisations funding such activities so we can blacklist them for activities that are writing our doom.
Ted Weber
13 w
The compromise draft COP28 language on mitigation calls for: * Tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030; * Accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power; * Accelerating efforts globally towards net zero emission energy systems, utilizing zero- and low-carbon fuels well before or by around mid-century; * Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science; * Accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production; * Accelerating and substantially reducing non-carbon-dioxide emissions globally, including in particular methane emissions by 2030; * Accelerating the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero-and low-emission vehicles; * Phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible. The language on fossil fuels is non-binding and weak, but at least it's finally mentioned.
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Lower emissions and clean energy in our power lines is a good place to start
Ted Weber
14 w
USGCRP is holding webinars on the different chapters of the 5th National Climate Assessment. The schedule is here: https://www.globalchange.gov/events?topic%5B135%5D=135 The videos are being recorded and posted here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgcrp/videos
Ted Weber
14 w
Five natural systems are already at risk of crossing tipping points at the present level of global warming: the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, warm-water coral reefs, North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre circulation, and permafrost regions. Three more may be reached in the 2030s if the world heats 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial temperatures. Triggering these planetary shifts will unleash dangerous and sweeping damage to people and nature that cannot be undone. For more, see: https://global-tipping-points.org/ This report also examines potential “positive tipping points”, such as the plummeting price of renewable energy and the growth in sales of electric vehicles. It found that such shifts do not happen by themselves but need to be enabled by stimulating innovation, shaping markets, regulating business, and educating and mobilizing the public.
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Certainly we hear plenty of bad news concerning the warming climate but if we remain focused and consistent we can emerge climate conquerors.
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If and when the temperatures keep on rising we'll surely be doomed
Ted Weber
35 w
A paper I wrote with Aimee Delach, Talia Niederman, and Renee Albrecht on climate-related sensitivities of threatened animals was just published in the journal Biological Conservation: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320723002859 We found that all but one U.S. animal species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are sensitive to one or more climate change effects, but most of their recovery plans fail to account for this. Dedicated funding from the Inflation Reduction Act can help correct the shortfall, and just recently, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service updated their rules to allow establishment of "experimental" populations in areas outside their historic range, but providing suitable habitat in the future. Forward-looking recovery plans and actions, and sufficient funding to carry them out, are needed to ensure the survival of U.S. endangered and threatened species.
Agency management plans also fail to address threatened species vulnerability to climate change in the US
Despite widespread evidence of climate change as a threat to biodiversity, multiple studies have suggested that government agencies are not adequately…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320723002859
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A very thorough piece of research, thank you for the work you and your colleagues do so that we have this information and contribution toward better understanding the impact human beings have on biodiversity and threatened species.
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A milestone innovation
Ted Weber
38 w
Happy World Rainforest Day ! We can't solve the climate and biodiversity crises without their survival; let's do whatever we can to ensure their protection and restoration!
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At this point self responsibility in key when it comes to climate change
Ted Weber
66 w
https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-agrees-new-law-to-kick-deforestation-out-of-supply-chains/ EU legislators reached an agreement in the early hours of Tuesday (6 December) to pass a new law guaranteeing that products sold in the EU are not linked to the destruction or degradation of forests. Between 1990 and 2020, an area larger than the EU was lost to deforestation, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. EU consumption is a big driver of this, causing around 10% of the losses, according to the FAO. “The EU is a large consumer and trader of commodities that play a substantial part in deforestation – like beef, cocoa, soy and timber,” said Marian Jurečka the environment minister from the Czech Republic, which negotiated on behalf of the 27 EU countries. “Protecting the environment around the world, including forests and rainforests, is a common goal for all countries and the EU is ready to take its responsibility,” he added. The new law will require all companies to issue a due diligence statement in order to sell products like coffee, cocoa and wood on the EU market. Those linked to deforestation will be banned from import and export into the EU. “It is a text that has a real impact on our daily lives. We’re talking about very concrete items – your morning coffee or your morning chocolate,” said Pascal Canfin, the chairman of the European Parliament’s environment committee. “The great specificity of this law – and this is a world first for palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, and rubber – is the obligation to have a certificate based on satellite images and GPS coordinates to know exactly where the commodity comes from,” Canfin explained. “When you arrive on the EU’s internal market – at the port of Amsterdam or Le Havre – you must show this certificate. And if you don’t have it, you can’t go in”. The amount of inspections carried out will depend on the country of production, with the most high-risk countries seeing 9% of operators and traders trading products checked. The new EU law was hailed as “groundbreaking” by green campaigners. “We have made history with this world-first law against deforestation,” said Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, Senior Forest Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office. “The EU will not only change the rules of the game for consumption within its borders, but will also create a big incentive for other countries fueling deforestation to change their policies,” she said in a statement. Greenpeace hailed “a major breakthrough for forests,” adding that the new EU law “will make some chainsaws fall silent and stop companies profiting from deforestation.” It regretted, however, that the regulation offers only “flimsy protection for the rights of Indigenous People who pay with their blood to defend nature”. The third round of negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council started at 18:30 on Monday evening (5 December). After just over nine hours, the negotiators agreed that the law will cover a range of commodities, including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya and wood as well as products that contain, have been fed with or are made using these commodities, such as leather, chocolate and furniture. The European Parliament successfully widened the scope from the initial proposal, adding rubber, charcoal, printed paper products and certain palm oil derivatives to the list of commodities that require due diligence. While biodiesel and maize are not included, the European Commission will review whether to add them in the future. Another win for the European Parliament was to secure a wider definition of forest degradation, which now covers the conversion of primary forests or naturally generating ones to plantation forests. This definition could also impact EU countries and was a “very bitter pill for the EU Council to swallow,” a parliamentary source told EURACTIV following the agreement. Alongside this, no later than one year after the law comes into force, the European Commission will need to evaluate whether to extend the scope to other wooded land. And, no later than two years after the directive comes into force, the EU executive will need to look at extending the law to land with high carbon storage and biodiversity value, as well as other commodities. The European Parliament had been pushing for areas, such as scrublands and savannahs to be covered, but the Council “vehemently opposed” this, said Delara Burkhardt, a German MEP who was in the Parliament’s negotiating team. “There is thus a danger that agricultural activities will simply switch from now protected forests to still unprotected savannah landscapes, as can already be observed in the South American Cerrado savannah,” warned Burkhardt, who is from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) political group. MEPs also succeeded in adding human rights protections. Companies will have to verify compliance with the country of production’s laws, including human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, this relies on the law of the country of production, which can vary in stringency. One concession from the European Parliament was over the inclusion of financial institutions, which will not be directly obliged to analyse their investments for deforestation risks. Instead, the European Commission will have to present an assessment two years after the law comes into force, looking at whether existing EU legislation is sufficient to tackle the role of financial institutions, like banks, insurance companies and pension funds, in global deforestation, explained Burkhardt. Despite the concessions, she told EURACTIV that the law sets “a global gold standard for due diligence requirements for deforestation-free supply chains”. “Against the will of the Council of Ministers and the European forestry lobby, we managed to cover larger forest areas by improving the definition of forest damage. Against the tyre manufacturers’ lobby, we were able to include rubber, a major driver of deforestation, in the regulation. And we were able to strengthen the role of indigenous communities,” she added. The lead negotiator for the European Parliament, Christophe Hansen from the European People’s Party, also praised the deal. “This important new tool will protect forests globally and cover more commodities and products such as rubber, printed paper and charcoal. Moreover, we ensured that the rights of indigenous people, our first allies in fighting deforestation, are effectively protected,” he said. The law will enter into force 20 days after its formal adoption by the European Parliament and EU countries, expected next year, but will not apply to big and medium sized companies until 18 months and micro and small companies for 24 months.
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Dear Ted Weber Thank you for getting your climate love to level 2! We have reached out to European Parliament and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Muhammad We Don't Have Time
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This is so great! I hope it will set a standard for countries around the world!
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Oh, that's great! I knew it was under discussion, it's great to see it finally pass. Now let's follow how it will be implemented in the upcoming years.
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Wow this is great
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This is very interesting, do you work with reforestation?
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I'm an ecologist with a strong background in forest ecology and management. I currently work on climate issues for Defenders of Wildlife in the U.S.