A roundup of climate change news for the week of August 1 to August 7, 2022.
This is a weekly update on what you need to know about global climate change and what happened in the 1st century BC.
CLIMATE NEWS OF THE WEEK:
• UN Secretary General to tax oil and gas companies on 'grotesque greed'
• US Senate Democrats green light $430 billion climate bill
• Lytton committed to future climate action
United Nations The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that over a decade, wildfires, droughts, severe weather such as the deadly heat domes in British Columbia in June, and floods will cause climate change. It's becoming more frequent and more intense.
Last August it issued "Code Red" for Humanity, and earlier this year a committee of hundreds of scientists from around the world 1. Exceeded 5 C and ended.
Last month published a report containing solutions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, primarily by shifting away from fossil fuels. Did.
We return here every Saturday to round up the latest climate and environmental articles. You can also subscribe to our newsletter here to have the latest BC focused news delivered to your inbox by 7am.
BC Carbon number:
Quick facts about climate change:
Latest Climate News
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday condemned the "grotesque greed" of oil and gas companies and their financial backers, saying they would "tax these excess profits" to help the most vulnerable. I urged governments around the world to
"It is immoral for oil and gas companies to make record profits out of this energy crisis, at great cost to the climate, and backed by the poorest people and communities." Guterres told reporters.
ExxonMobil XOM, the two largest US oil companies. N and Chevron CVX. Combined with N, UK-based Shell and France's Total Energy, he generated nearly $51 billion in revenue in recent quarters. This is almost double the group's earnings. About the same period last year.
"I urge all governments to tax these excess profits and use the funds to help the most vulnerable during this difficult time." Mr Guterres said.
"And I urge people around the world to send a clear message to the fossil fuel industry and its investors. This grotesque desire is destroying our only common home. while punishing the poorest and most vulnerable," he said.
Read the full story here.
— REUTERS
Residents, local government leaders, British Columbia, one year after wildfires devastated the village of Lytton in western Canada The time-consuming and costly reality of state governments future-proofing their communities against climate change.
This remote village sits at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson rivers in the high, dry mountains of interior British Columbia, and is subject to fires and landslides.
In June 2021, his 90% of Lytton's structures burned down. This was the day after the village recorded the highest ever temperature in Canada.
Authorities now have a unique opportunity to rebuild entire communities from scratch using fire-retardant materials and energy-efficient building codes.
But long-term disaster mitigation plans and net-zero ambitions face the reality of human impatience and reimbursement limits from insurance companies. Many of the burnt-out residents are still living in temporary housing and hope to rebuild their homes and continue their lives.
"There is a definite difference between ideal and reality," said Tricia Thorpe, 61, who lost her home in a fire.
"I don't think anyone has a problem building a fire smart, but I'm trying to build a model village. They're talking about solar (panel) walkways."
Read the full article here.
— Reuters
Massive flooding in May 1894 caused by rapid snowmelt. has occurred. From the Upper Fraser Valley to Richmond. Houses, barns and bridges were swept away, and railroad tracks were left twisted by deadly floods.
The flood was the largest on the Fraser River since the settlers arrived. However, because the population was so small, the value of property damage was modest, perhaps $500,000 by one estimate.
A similar event today would have very different consequences.
A Postmedia analysis of information recently provided to local authorities in the Lower Mainland found that more than half of the levees along the Lower Fraser Basin were overrun during the 1894 iteration, destroying towns and First Nations communities. of homes and businesses were flooded and vast areas of land were flooded. of farmland.
Data provided to Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley municipalities, and to Post Media on request, are based on the latest levee crest survey information produced by the province in 2019 and 2020. was used and applied to five flood scenarios. Twenty years after the 1894 flood, which was thought to be a once-in-500-year event, he turned it into a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Read the full article here.
—Gordon Hoekstra and Nathan Griffiths
It has finally approved a new target to reduce to -warming emissions more than a year after the deadline for the UN's updated commitments.
On Wednesday, the Indian Federal Cabinet approved new national emissions pledges known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced these targets at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year, but they were not formalized.
His new NDC pledges India to reduce its GDP emissions intensity by 45% from his 2005 levels over the next seven years. That's a 10% increase for him over his previous 2016 pledge.
India also aims to meet half of its energy demand from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030. This also exceeds the government's previous target of 40%. Achieved in December 2021.
Read the full article here.
— Reuters
Democrats in the US Senate on Saturday passed a bill to address a key element of President Joe Biden's agenda and tackle climate change. Lower the cost of energy and medicine for the elderly, and force the wealthy to pay more taxes, which has been promoted.
Senate rulemakers have ruled that most of the $430 billion bill can be passed by a simple majority. said there is. The
Democrat hopes the bill will boost candidates in his November 8 midterm elections. In this election, Biden's party is fighting an uphill battle to retain narrow control of the Senate and House.
"Democrats have received very good news," Schumer said in a statement. ``Medicare will finally be allowed to negotiate drug prices. .
Read the full article here.
— Reuters
After lightning struck a square near the White House, scientists warned that climate change could cause lightning strikes across the United States. Two people died and two were in critical condition.
Washington D.C. on Thursday. C. Electricity was supplied in hot and humid conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature on August 4 was 34 degrees, or 3 degrees above the normal high for 30 years.
While more heat can draw more moisture into the atmosphere, it also promotes rapid updrafts. These are her two key factors in the charged particles that lead to lightning.
A landmark study published in Science in 2014 found that the number of lightning strikes in the United States could increase by 50% this century, with a one-degree increase in temperature equivalent to a 12% increase. Then warned. in the number of lightning strikes.
Read full text here.
— Reuters
Related social media
In my feed, It's about Alex Jones, who we hate but thrives on in our attention, and not about Congress preparing to pass the most important climate change bill in history. You have to take it pretty seriously.
— Hank Green (@hankgreen) Aug 6, 2022
What will the climate be like in the next 20 years? Years to change.
Parts of the climate system that have shown clear upward or downward trends in recent decades will continue to do so for at least the next two decades. for example. Arctic ice sheet.
➡️ https://t.co/SuCGscbEtO pic. twitter. com/kvSGauyGlx
— IPCC (@IPCC_CH) 06 Aug 2022
It is very dangerous to listen to moderate climate experts. They personally benefit from pushing the status quo message that society is basically doing well. We need to make a deep and fundamental change, and the sooner the better.
— Peter Kalmus (@ClimateHuman) Aug 6, 2022
Guides and Links
B. C. Floods: Read All The Fraser Valley And Beyond
Climate Change FAQs: NASA
Heat Waves 150 times more likely, study says
BC heat wave: Severe weather events linked to climate crisis, scientists say
Experts: Climate change will lead to longer wildfire seasons and more areas to burn
Vancouver outlines climate emergency action plan
British Columbia is concerned about the transition to climate change.
Do you have story ideas for local efforts being made to address the climate and ecological emergency? ticrawford@postmedia. com
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