October 2023

We need to stop saying “Climate Change” and start saying “Climate Emergency”

Climate Scientists Emphasize Urgency of Climate Crisis and Call for Immediate Action

Escalating rhetoric comes as new study shows there’s just six years left to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius at current CO2 emissions rate.

The Washington Post

October 30, 2023

By 

  • Climate Scientists Speaking Out:
    • Climate scientists, who were once hesitant to enter the public fray, are now using strident language to describe the warming planet.
    • References to ‘climate emergency’ and ‘climate crisis’ are increasingly being used in academic literature and media communications.
  • Shrinking Carbon Budget:
    • Scientists have released a paper showing that the world’s ‘carbon budget’ has shrunk by a third.
    • The world only has 6 years left at current emissions levels before surpassing the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature limit.
  • Climate Scientists’ Change in Communication:
    • In the past, scientists were hesitant to communicate the policy implications of their work, fearing it would compromise their scientific neutrality.
    • However, the urgency of the climate crisis has led to a shift in communication strategies.
  • Rising Impacts of Climate Change:
    • The impacts of climate change are becoming more noticeable and in-your-face, leading to the use of terms like ‘climate emergency‘.
    • While there is still debate about the acceleration of warming, the impacts are undeniable.
  • Challenges in Overcoming Fossil Fuel Inertia:
    • Clear communication alone is not enough to overcome the inertia of a fossil-fuel based system and the resistance from oil and gas companies.
    • Despite clear communication from scientists, the necessary actions haven’t been taken.
  • The Need for Urgent Action:
    • The trajectory of CO2 emissions and the urgency of the climate crisis demand immediate action.
    • Scientists believe that urgent action is necessary to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change.
By Abe Mazliach, ago

This Number Helps Explain Why Rooftop Solar Is Becoming More Attractive in Many States

We look at state electricity rates, the “15-cent rule,” and what it means for solar.

ByDan Gearino
Summary:

In the United States, around 5% of households have rooftop solar, which is significantly lower compared to countries like Germany (20%) and Australia (30%). One of the key reasons for this disparity is that electricity in the U.S. has traditionally been cheap, making rooftop solar less financially attractive. However, this is changing as utilities across the country are raising their electricity rates with state regulatory approval, reflecting increased operational costs and a desire to boost earnings.

The tipping point for customers to consider rooftop solar on a financial basis is often estimated at around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, which results in a monthly bill of approximately $130 for an average household’s electricity consumption. When electricity rates reach or exceed this threshold, it becomes more financially feasible for companies that offer rooftop solar to demonstrate potential savings to customers.

Energy industry analysts, such as Pavel Molchanov of Raymond James, highlight that utility rates tend to rise over time, making rooftop solar an appealing solution for homeowners seeking to escape escalating utility costs. This trend is driving increased demand for rooftop solar in the United States, despite historically low adoption rates.

By Abe Mazliach, ago

Africa Climate Summit: Nairobi Declaration makes strong push for accelerated climate action and financing mechanisms

The Declaration will be the basis for Africa’s common position in COP 28 and beyond

From Africa Renewal: September 2023, 8 September 2023 By: UNECA

Summary of the Climate Summit Declaration

  • African leaders attending the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi are calling for urgent action from developed countries to reduce carbon emissions.
  • They propose a new financing mechanism to restructure Africa’s debt and unlock climate funding.
  • The leaders emphasize the importance of decarbonizing the global economy for equality and shared prosperity.
  • Investment is needed to promote sustainable use of Africa’s natural assets for low carbon development.
  • African countries face disproportionate burdens and risks from climate change, including droughts, floods, and fires.
  • Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing humanity and the biggest threat to all life on earth.
  • Despite not being historically responsible for global warming, Africa is willing to be a vital part of the global solution.
  • Multilateral finance reform is necessary but not sufficient to provide the scale of climate financing needed.
  • The leaders propose a global carbon taxation regime, along with other financial reforms, to finance climate-positive investments.
  • They call for collective global action to mobilize capital for development and climate action.
  • Concrete action and speed are needed to build resilience to climate shocks and better deploy financial mechanisms.
  • The Nairobi Declaration adopted at the summit will serve as Africa’s common position in global climate change processes.
  • The African Union plans to establish the Africa Climate Summit as a biennial event to address emerging global climate and development issues.
By Abe Mazliach, ago

Children at ‘existential risk’ from climate crisis, UK’s top paediatrician says

The Climate Crisis’ Detrimental Impact on Children’s Health: Risks, Challenges, and Calls for Action

Summary of The Guardian article by  Health editor, Oct. 21, 2023

  • Climate crisis poses existential risk to children:
    • The climate crisis poses an existential risk to the health and wellbeing of all children, according to Dr Camilla Kingdon, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
    • Air pollution, extreme weather, and high energy costs are already having a detrimental effect on children’s physical and mental health.
  • Impact on health and wellbeing:
    • Rising temperatures are causing adverse outcomes such as premature birth, hospitalization, and weight gain in babies and children.
    • Climate change is also linked to lung growth impairment, asthma, blood pressure issues, cognitive abilities, and mental health problems.
    • “Climate change is no longer tomorrow’s problem, it’s today’s,” Kingdon said. “Healthcare professionals across the UK are already seeing its impact first-hand.”
    • “Children exhibit high levels of concern over climate change and the mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, sleep disorders, attachment disorders and substance abuse, can lead to problems with learning, behaviour, and academic performance.”
  • Health inequalities and vulnerable children:
    • Children from low-income households face greater risks due to living in deprived areas with extreme weather events and poor air quality.
    • Increased damp and cold properties increase health risks, while the government’s rollback on net-zero policies further exacerbates the burden on vulnerable children.
  • Calls for action and support:
    • The RCPCH urges the government to appoint a cabinet minister for children and prioritize child health in climate crisis policymaking.
    • Paediatricians are provided with new resources to support children affected by the climate crisis, including template letters for housing improvements.
By Abe Mazliach, ago

Carbon Tax and Dividend in Canada

From

Every Canadian taxpayer gets these a couple of times a year. If you’re wondering what it’s for it’s for the #taxrebate on the #carbontax. The idea of the carbon tax is to have polluting companies and their products pay so they are incentivized to clean up their act. But the way the tax is designed is that it’s revenue neutral, and the dollars that are collected are re-distributed to citizens. Advanced countries in Western Europe and Asia are proving the carbon tax works and our conservative politicians are just against it for political gain not for economic sense. #turnthetide #climatecrisis #globalwarming

By Abe Mazliach, ago

Europe Just Launched the World’s First Carbon Tariff

In the U.S., where climate policy has been highly politicized, the concept of a carbon tariff has recently emerged with rare bipartisan support.

By Kristoffer Tigue
The European Union (EU) has implemented a new carbon tariff policy that requires foreign companies to report greenhouse gas emissions associated with certain imported goods. Starting in 2026, imports that do not meet the EU’s emissions standards will face an additional fee. The policy aims to reduce emissions in industries that are difficult to decarbonize, such as cement and steel manufacturing. While the tax has drawn criticism from countries like China and Russia, supporters argue that it levels the playing field for EU companies and incentivizes industries to reduce their carbon emissions. The concept of a carbon tariff has also gained bipartisan support in the United States, with lawmakers proposing bills to tax the carbon emissions of foreign imports. The idea is seen as a way to protect domestic manufacturers and promote clean production.

Key takeaways

1. The EU has implemented a carbon tariff policy that requires foreign companies to report greenhouse gas emissions associated with certain goods.

2. Imports that do not meet the EU’s emissions standards will face an additional fee starting in 2026.

3. The policy aims to reduce emissions in industries that are difficult to decarbonize, such as cement and steel manufacturing.

4. The tax has faced criticism from countries like China and Russia, but supporters argue it levels the playing field for EU companies and incentivizes emission reductions.

5. The concept of a carbon tariff has gained bipartisan support in the United States as a way to protect domestic manufacturers and promote clean production.

By Abe Mazliach, ago