The Clim8
07.11.21-07.17.21
Greenland bans all oil exploration off its coasts (AP News)
Although oil has yet to be found in the waters that surround Greenland, for years its government has hoped that the potentially vast pockets of oil off its coasts would provide the nation with the financial means to fulfill their longtime goal of gaining independence from Denmark. However, on June 24th, Greenland’s government announced a dramatic shift in its policies, declaring that the country “takes the climate crisis seriously” and that “the future does not lie in oil.” The government now looks to a future powered by renewable energy and an end to all oil exploration, despite the immense possible profit that could lie in this lucrative business.
Climate change as the culprit: Why Europe is seeing an uptick in flooding (The Guardian)
As our atmosphere gets warmer, it gathers more moisture and ultimately brings about more rain, leading to a rise in extreme weather events. Thus, the recent flash floods that have swept through London and other regions in Europe will only continue to increase in frequency as our summers grow hotter. Furthermore, if emission rates are not contained, scientists predict that by 2050, extreme heat waves are likely to rock Europe every other year, and heavy rainfalls will continue to occur in the summer.
“Water theft” in Chile (Climate Change News)
In a phenomenon known as “water theft,” companies in Chile have been stealing water from local residents. Chileans have been forced to build their village wells in secrecy, and some have even received death threats when trying to report the corruption of these corporations to the authorities.
Putting things in perspective: Read more about Chilean citizen Veronica Vilches’ experience battling for the right to water.
United Nations shares plan to resolve ecological destruction (UN News)
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat released a developing plan which offers an agreement on biodiversity loss with 21 goals of preserving and protecting nature. The CBD’s document aims for human kind to coexist harmoniously with nature by 2050 and includes four main goals to be accomplished by 2030. The goals aim to reverse ecological destruction on Earth and to close the gap between available financial resources, for people to value and conserve nature, and to sustainably use biodiversity.
Check it out for yourself: Read the plan, entitled “Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030” here.
West Coast heatwaves force people to recognize global warming (The Guardian)
Extreme heat throughout western United States and Canada resulted in water shortages, wildfires and hundreds of human deaths. Record temperatures were met in multiple regions including Death Valley, CA where the temperature reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit. In a recent podcast, host Guardian US environment reporter Oliver Millman spoke with Rachel Humphreys about the deadly consequences of heatwaves and how its coverage is affecting Americans.
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Intense flooding in Europe caused by warmer climate (CNN)
European countries, including Germany and Belgium, suffered extreme flooding brought on by heavy rainfall. In Germany, 49 people died and over a thousand people are unaccounted for. Warmer air has the capacity for more water vapor that can later turn into rain. And, as temperatures rise due to global warming, harsh rainfall occurs more often. Climate change is creating a higher risk of flash floods and, therefore, poses grave danger to life and civilizations.
Immune to the urgent message of climate change (The Washington Post)
With her public art installation, Maya Lin tries to bring more attention to the urgency of climate change. “Ghost Forest” uses dead Atlantic cedar whites, trees that have been affected by the many impacts of climate change. The Manhattan park installation is meant to depict “life and death confront[ing] each other, but even still, it seems that people have become unfazed by the realities of climate change.
Disrupting the balance of the Amazon Rainforest (NPR)
As a result of the climate crisis, the Amazon Rainforest begins to release more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. Luciana Gatti, a researcher at Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research, says that man-made fires are partially responsible for the Amazon’s state. It’s hard to say if the damage done to the Amazon can be reversed.