Seven Hard Truths about the Climate Crisis | The Walrus
Public opinion and politics are slowly responding to the climate crisis, but uncertainty remains on the required actions which are likely to be significant and urgent. [ more ]
The US is propping up gas while the world moves to renewable energy
Global electricity generation from fossil fuels likely peaked in 2023, marking a significant turning point towards renewables and reduced emissions. [ more ]
The stakes could not be higher': world is on edge of climate abyss, UN warns
The world is at risk of surpassing the 1.5C target for global heating, urging urgent and radical climate action to save lives and livelihoods. [ more ]
Global heating and urbanisation to blame for severity of UAE floods, study finds
Fossil fuels and concrete worsened recent record flooding in the UAE and Oman due to human-caused climate disruption.
Downpours in El Nino years became 10-40% heavier, turning roads into rivers, causing 23 deaths and substantial damage.
Cloud seeding was not a significant factor in the extreme rainfall event; the main cause was attributed to global heating from burning fossil fuels. [ more ]
Cop28 deal will fail unless rich countries quit fossil fuels, says climate negotiator
The credibility of the Cop28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels depends on major historical polluters rethinking oil and gas production plans.
Major developed countries are expanding their fossil fuel production instead of moving away from it. [ more ]
Global heating will pass 1.5C threshold this year, top ex-Nasa scientist says
The internationally agreed threshold to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels will be breached by 2024.
The burning of fossil fuels and the effects of El Nino are pushing global temperatures higher, and the melting of ice is further amplifying global heating. [ more ]
Global heating will pass 1.5C threshold this year, top ex-Nasa scientist says
The internationally agreed threshold to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels will be breached by 2024.
The burning of fossil fuels and the effects of El Nino are pushing global temperatures higher, and the melting of ice is further amplifying global heating. [ more ]
Dubai climate talks: What did they achieve? DW 12/13/2023
Global leaders at the COP28 climate summit have agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner.
The agreement does not explicitly mention a phaseout of fossil fuels, but it is seen as a significant step towards moving away from coal, oil, and gas. [ more ]
Good Cop, bad Cop: what the Cop28 agreement says and what it means
The decision text from Cop28 calls for a transition away from fossil fuels, but has been criticized for being weak and containing loopholes for the fossil fuel industry.
The text acknowledges the need for deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, but carbon emissions are still rising. [ more ]
Students at US universities file legal complaints over fossil fuel investments
University students file legal complaints alleging illegal investments in fossil fuels, citing breach of fiduciary duty and societal responsibility. [ more ]
Czech government now seeks to build up to 4 nuclear reactors instead 1 to reduce price
The Czech government plans to build up to four nuclear reactors to become more energy independent and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
This decision could reduce the price per reactor by up to 25%. Westinghouse's bid has been rejected, and only EDF and KHNP have been asked to submit new bids. [ more ]
COP28 talks set to overrun deadline as countries fail to agree on draft fossil fuel deal
UN climate talks in Dubai are running past the deadline for a deal as at-risk nations express anger over a proposed compromise that does not phase out fossil fuels.
Negotiators are waiting for a new text after wide criticism of a draft released on Monday. [ more ]
The Oil and Gas Industry Wants Energy Transition' to Mean More Fossil Fuels
Energy transition is now acknowledged as an ongoing process in the energy industry, featuring prominently at CERAWeek.
There are diverse perspectives on what energy transition entails, with some emphasizing a shift from fossil fuels to renewables, while others see a future with continued growth in oil and gas production. [ more ]
California floods, Chile fires: LGBTQ+ collective action can lead on climate change
The COP28 Climate Change Summit agreement included a provision to move away from fossil fuels and aid disadvantaged nations in battling climate change impacts.
The agreed commitment to lower emissions by 10 percent is insufficient to combat climate change according to climate experts. [ more ]
A Huge Win for Activists Puts Climate on the 2024 Agenda
The White House is delaying a decision on the approval of a natural gas megaproject in order to consider its impact on the climate.
Climate activists have been rallying to block the project, arguing that it would lock in dependence on fossil fuels beyond what the climate can bear. [ more ]
Big Agriculture and Big Oil Join Forces to Lobby for Clean Energy Credits
Biomethane gas produced by factory farms is being advocated for renewable energy tax credits by a gas industry trade association.
Environmental groups warn that subsidizing the burning of biomethane gas could prolong dependence on fossil fuels and support gas company infrastructure. [ more ]
As the Planet Boils, Corporate Media Still Carry Water for Fossil Fuel Giants
The president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, faced criticism for his defense of fossil fuels and rumors of making oil deals.
The mainstream media often underreport the impact of the oil and gas industry on climate change and downplay the forces that keep us dependent on fossil fuels. [ more ]
Final COP28 Deal Bears the Fingerprints of the Fossil Fuel Industry
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai ended with an agreement that explicitly endorses a move away from fossil fuels.
The agreement, called the UAE Consensus, includes escape hatches that allow the fossil fuel industry to continue operating in ways that contradict efforts to address climate change. [ more ]
2024 Must Be the Year for Exponential Climate Action
To limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, urgent action is needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The International Energy Agency's net zero pathway is a key agenda for 2024, requiring a significant increase in renewable energy and energy efficiency. [ more ]
Azerbaijan appoints no women to 28-member Cop29 climate committee
The organising committee for Cop29 in Azerbaijan consists of 28 men and no women, drawing criticism from campaigners.
63% of the members of the organising committee for Cop28 in the UAE were women, highlighting a contrast in gender representation between the two summits. [ more ]
As the Planet Boils, Corporate Media Still Carry Water for Fossil Fuel Giants
The president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, faced criticism for his defense of fossil fuels and rumors of making oil deals.
The mainstream media often underreport the impact of the oil and gas industry on climate change and downplay the forces that keep us dependent on fossil fuels. [ more ]
As the Planet Boils, Corporate Media Still Carry Water for Fossil Fuel Giants
The president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, faced criticism for his defense of fossil fuels and rumors of making oil deals.
The mainstream media often underreport the impact of the oil and gas industry on climate change and downplay the forces that keep us dependent on fossil fuels. [ more ]
John Kerry to step down after 3 years as Biden's top climate diplomat
John Kerry, President Biden's climate envoy, is planning to leave his role after three years of leading the administration's efforts to curb climate change.
Kerry has been central in Biden's efforts to establish the United States as a climate leader internationally and has played a key role in increasing climate cooperation with China. [ more ]
Opinion | What No One at COP28 Wanted to Say Out Loud: Prepare for 1.5 Degrees
COP28 marks the first time every country agreed on the role of oil and gas in driving global warming and the need for a fossil fuel drawdown.
The resolution calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels only in the energy sector, disappointing harder-line climate advocates who wanted a phase-out language. [ more ]
"Australia Backed a Global Transition From Fossil Fuels at COP28 â But Scientists Are 'Devastated'" by Aleksandra Bliszczyk (@aleksbliszczyk) for Vice Australia (@viceau)
Dubai climate talks: What did they achieve? DW 12/13/2023
Global leaders at COP28 climate summit agree to transition away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner, marking a historic achievement.
While the agreement does not mention a phaseout of fossil fuels, it is considered an improvement from previous language and sets a direction to move away from coal, oil, and gas. [ more ]
New COP28 agreement calls for "transitioning away from fossil fuels"
The closing agreement at the UN's COP28 meeting includes a call for a transition away from fossil fuels, aligning with the implications of the Paris Treaty.
The Global Stocktake document acknowledges incremental progress but highlights the need for more aggressive measures to meet climate goals. [ more ]
Indigenous people and climate justice groups say Cop28 was business as usual'
Developed countries hailed the Cop28 agreement as historic, but Indigenous people and climate justice groups criticized it as unfair and business as usual.
Many developed countries pushed for a phase-out of fossil fuels, but developing countries emphasized the need for a fair and funded transition. [ more ]
Final COP28 Deal Bears the Fingerprints of the Fossil Fuel Industry
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai ended with an agreement that explicitly endorses a move away from fossil fuels.
The agreement, called the UAE Consensus, includes escape hatches that allow the fossil fuel industry to continue operating in ways that contradict efforts to address climate change. [ more ]
Final COP28 Deal Bears the Fingerprints of the Fossil Fuel Industry
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai ended with an agreement that explicitly endorses a move away from fossil fuels.
The agreement, called the UAE Consensus, includes escape hatches that allow the fossil fuel industry to continue operating in ways that contradict efforts to address climate change. [ more ]
COP28 Dubai is over: Four key highlights from the UN climate summit
The UN climate summit in UAE witnessed the approval of a climate disaster loss and damage fund.
The Global Stocktake agreement called on countries to wean themselves off fossil fuels, though language to phase out or phase down fossil fuels was dropped in the final text. [ more ]
Cop28: second draft text of climate deal calls for transitioning away' from fossil fuels
A proposed climate agreement at the Cop28 climate summit calls on nations to transition away from fossil fuels to address climate change.
The draft text includes commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, tripling renewable energy capacity, and developing low-emission technologies. [ more ]
COP28 climate talks go into overtime amid standoff over fossil fuels
COP28 climate talks are extended as countries struggle over the wording of a potential agreement on fossil fuels.
The draft text released by the UN-led conference did not call for the total phase-out of oil, gas, and coal, leading to criticism from several countries. [ more ]
UK minister departs Cop28 as climate talks reach crisis point
The UK minister in charge of Cop28 climate talks has left the negotiations to return to London, leaving civil servants to continue the negotiations in his absence.
The minister's departure has caused shock and disbelief among campaigners and other delegations at the talks, as the UK's commitment to the negotiations is called into question. [ more ]