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The Guardian view on the climate summit: 100 days to save the world | Editorial
Floods, fires and droughts show the global urgency. But the prospects are not looking good for the COP26 conference
The global reality of the climate crisis could hardly be more stark. A common theme is clear, from western Germany, where about 200 people perished in floods, to Henan province in central China, where at least 50 have died and about 400,000 have been evacuated after overwhelming downpours, to western Canada and the US, where a blistering set of heatwaves has provided the tinder for wildfires on a growing scale, through to the Middle East, where drought threatens communities from Algeria to Yemen, triggering unrest and regional disputes. On this planet there is no hiding place.
A hundred days now remain before the nations gather in Glasgow at the United Nations Cop26 climate conference on 31 October. More than 190 world leaders are expected. The UK government calls the summit the world’s last best chance. That is true. Yet words are cheaper than actions and sustained effort, especially when Boris Johnson is involved, and the last best chance is at serious risk of being lost. As things currently stand, the governments of the world, the UK included, are heading to Glasgow without having made the ambitious strategic decisions and collective sacrifices that might enable Cop26 to mark a genuine turning point that is needed in the battle to contain and reverse global heating.
Continue reading...Xi Jinping should take the Zhengzhou floods as a warning from China’s history | Philip Ball
The country’s perilous waters have made or broken past leaders. The climate crisis will only make things worse
The footage of a torrent of muddy water engulfing the broad thoroughfares of Zhengzhou, China, may look like a scene from an apocalyptic sci-fi movie. But for China’s leaders, these images speak not only to a dystopian future but also to the struggles of the past – and to the issue of the Chinese Communist party’s mandate to rule.
Related: China floods: thousands trapped without fresh water as rain moves north
Continue reading...Athens appoints chief heat officer to combat climate crisis
Greek capital is first in Europe to create role, which will involve finding new ways to cool the city
Athens has appointed a chief heat officer to protect people from soaring temperatures and try to find ways to adapt the city to the heatwaves and extreme weather that are striking the capital more frequently as the result of the climate emergency.
The appointment, made on Friday by the mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, is the first in Europe and believed to be only the second in the world, after Miami-Dade county in Florida appointed a chief heat officer earlier this year.
Continue reading...Marijuana farmers blamed for water theft as drought grips American west
• California official: ‘Water stealing has never been more severe’
• Water taken from hydrants, homes, rivers and wells
Extreme and prolonged drought in the American west is prompting water thieves to tap into other people’s scarce supplies.
More than 12bn gallons of water have been stolen in California in the past eight years, according to state officials, but the issue has been further exacerbated by the ongoing drought and recent searing early summer heatwaves.
Continue reading...US Carbon Pricing and LCFS Roundup for week ending July 23, 2021
Hitting global climate target could create 8m energy jobs, study says
Researchers suggest net increase would mostly occur in renewables sector, with decline in fossil fuels
If some politicians are to be believed, taking sweeping action to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement would be calamitous for jobs in the energy sector. But a study suggests that honouring the global climate target would, in fact, increase net jobs by about 8 million by 2050.
The study – in which researchers created a global dataset of the footprint of energy jobs in 50 countries including major fossil fuel-producing economies – found that currently an estimated 18 million people work in the energy industries, which is likely to increase to 26 million if climate targets are met.
Continue reading...New banking regulations “unduly penalise” EU carbon trading -financial markets trade group
‘Time is ticking out’: climate activists urge Johnson to take action 100 days before Cop26 – video
Protesters filled Parliament Square in London on Friday morning, calling on Boris Johnson to make the climate crisis his top priority, as the UK prepares to host UN talks that will determine whether the world tips into environmental catastrophe this decade. A giant alarm clock showed time running out, while protesters chanted that the prime minister and his chancellor, Rishi Sunak, are 'missing in action' on the climate crisis
- 100 days to Cop26: protesters urge Boris Johnson to take climate talks seriously
- COP26 will be most important summit ever, but the UK’s leadership is already falling short
World Heritage Committee agrees not to place Great Barrier Reef on ‘in danger’ list
Unesco says ‘the facts are the facts and the science is the science’ after its recommendation is ignored
The Great Barrier Reef will not be placed on a list of world heritage sites “in danger” after a global lobbying effort from Australia against the proposed listing.
The 21-country World Heritage Committee on Friday ignored a scientific assessment from the UN’s science and culture organisation, Unesco, that the reef was clearly in danger from climate change and so should be placed on the list.
Continue reading...Euro Markets Midday Brief
COP26 will be most important summit ever, but the UK’s leadership is already falling short | Kate Blagojevic
From fossil fuels to carbon offsetting, the British government must practise what it preaches if it is to inspire others to step up
This summer alone has seen scorching heat domes smother parts of the US and Canada with record temperatures, and blistering heatwaves sweep across Pakistan. Torrential rain has caused devastating floods in China, as well as India, Germany, Belgium and Austria. And while fires are raging in Siberia, Madagascar is experiencing the world’s first famine caused solely by the climate crisis. Even here in the UK, the first extreme heat warnings were issued earlier this week.
New extreme-weather events linked to the climate crisis have become rolling news. Their destruction and death tolls are a daily reminder that the UK-hosted Cop26 this autumn isn’t just the most important climate conference ever held, but the most important international summit of all time.
Continue reading...The week in wildlife – in pictures
The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including a bear cub, a released howler seal and hot dogs
Continue reading...CN Markets: CEAs hold above 50 yuan, but volumes dwindle
You may have heard the 'moon wobble' will intensify coastal floods. Well, here's what that means for Australia
Protesters urge Boris Johnson to take Cop26 climate talks seriously
With 100 days to go to crucial UN crisis summit in Glasgow, PM is accused of lack of leadership
Protesters will fill London’s Parliament Square on Friday morning, calling on the prime minister, Boris Johnson, to make the climate crisis his top priority, as the UK prepares to host UN talks that will determine whether the world tips into environmental catastrophe this decade.
Giant alarm clocks will show time running out, while 100 protesters chant that Johnson and his chancellor, Rishi Sunak, are “missing in action” on the climate crisis.
Continue reading...World’s largest floating solar farm – more than 2GW – to supply Singapore
Sunseap to build "hyper-scale" floating solar and storage project to supply Singapore with power. What does it mean for Sun Cable?
The post World’s largest floating solar farm – more than 2GW – to supply Singapore appeared first on RenewEconomy.
New Chair of WA Economic Regulation Authority
Premier Mark McGowan today announced the appointment of Stephen Edwell as the new Chair of the Governing Body of the Economic Regulation Authority.
The post New Chair of WA Economic Regulation Authority appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Energy Insiders Podcast: How quickly can we get to 100% renewables
Monash Uni’s Behrooz Bahrani says new technologies, such as grid forming inverters, are changing the way we can manage the grid.
The post Energy Insiders Podcast: How quickly can we get to 100% renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.
AEMO subsidiary to lead planning for NSW’s ambitious clean energy vision
AEMO to play a hands on role in planning New South Wales' electricity transition, after being appointed as the NSW Consumer Trustee.
The post AEMO subsidiary to lead planning for NSW’s ambitious clean energy vision appeared first on RenewEconomy.
How “Gallium” doping can protect solar panels from the sun, and lower costs
UNSW research is exploring what could be another major turning point in solar cell manufacturing.
The post How “Gallium” doping can protect solar panels from the sun, and lower costs appeared first on RenewEconomy.