Climate change

• The world’s wildlife population has declined by more than two-thirds in the last 50 years — WWF
• As much as 80% of the European Union’s electricity could be fossil fuel-free by 2030.
• Here’s why a new study of sea urchins will provide great insight into the effects of climate change.
• And more…

• The UN secretary-general urges G20 nations to ditch coal completely in a climate conference.
• Planting seagrass needs to play an important part in reducing emissions. Here’s why.
• Writer Andrew McCormick asks, “The sitting president has no climate plan. Why isn’t that headline news?”
• And more…

• Climate change is causing warmer waters, and it’s making hurricanes more dangerous.
• Pop-up “corona cycleways” in European cities could result in health benefits of $3 billion a year.
• What’s in the US Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis report?
• And more…

• The NOAA Weather Prediction Center thinks Death Valley may have broken a global heat record.
• An environmental science professor describes how climate change affects her students’ mental health.
• Trump plans to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. These animals would be destroyed.
• And more…

• Mauritius suffered a really bad oil spill — and as feared, it’s killing its marine life.
• Carbon dioxide emissions make oceans more acidic, and that’s not good for marine creatures.
• Maine’s lobster fishery lost its sustainability certification due to the endangerment of the Right Whale.
• And more…

• Most US states are cutting emissions without federal help. Here’s who’s succeeding and failing.
• A Chilean photographer’s images of Patagonia’s glaciers reveal a starkly different landscape from a century ago.
• Bill Gates posts a blog on lessons from the pandemic that should guide our response to the climate crisis.
• And more…

• Two new groundbreaking, comprehensive studies prove that reducing air pollution saves lives.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres has new youth leaders to advise him on climate action.
• July 29 was International Tiger Day, which highlights the importance of protecting the species.
• And more…

• Polar bears live on Arctic sea ice, and it’s melting fast.
• Many African, Asian, and Latin American countries meet the UN’s sustainable development goals.
• Oceana launches Ship Speed Watch, an online tool to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.
• And more…

• Influencers such as Greta Thunberg, Joaquin Phoenix, and Greenpeace call for EU leaders to “face the climate emergency.”
• The fast-food giant Burger King has taken a novel approach to reduce methane emissions.
• A new study finds that tree planting does not always boost ecosystem carbon stocks.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Last week, the Joe Biden-Bernie Sanders climate unity task force put forward a number of recommendations to combat climate change, as Electrek reported on July 9. That followed a huge climate plan from the House Democrats in June to bring the US to net zero by 2050. But are they good preliminary plans?

Expand
Expanding
Close

• The latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has been released, identifying the species most at risk of extinction.
• Vermont becomes the first state in the US to pass a ban on food waste.
• Colorado State University raises its 2020 hurricane forecast in July from 19 named storms up to 20.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

• The Plastic Free Foundation launched Plastic Free July in 2011. Here’s how you can make a difference permanently.
• Think you’re not in a flood zone? Double check with this comprehensive new data website.
• Three things we can do to improve resilience efforts against rising sea levels — NRDC
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

US House Democrats proposed a plan today to bring the US economy to net zero by 2050. This would include transitioning to EVs and green energy with tax incentives, new infrastructure, and government mandates.

Expand
Expanding
Close

• The Siberian town of Verkhoyansk set a high-temperature record last Saturday.
• It was also the warmest month of May on record, with temperatures of 1.1F (0.6C) above the 1981-2010 average.
• Facebook’s refusal to fact check has thrown the door wide open for climate-change deniers.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

The state of Minnesota filed a lawsuit yesterday against the American Petroleum Institute (API), Exxon Mobil Corp, and Koch Industries that stated the companies violated Minnesota laws barring consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising.

Expand
Expanding
Close

• After a decades-long recovery program, giant tortoises return to their Galápagos island.
• Florida youths’ climate court case was dismissed, but they will appeal.
• Pandemics are a result of the destruction of our environment, says the UN, WHO, and WWF.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

• The 2020 Environmental Performance Index is out — who’s No. 1?
• Here’s a roundup of great reads to learn more about links between racism and the environment.
• Germany, the largest emitter in Europe, submits its climate plan to the EU.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

• Electrek rounds up commentary from black experts on climate, COVID, and racism in the US.
• Tropical Storm Amanda batters El Salvador and Guatemala with heavy rain and flooding.
• New Jersey will become the first state to teach climate change in the K-12 curriculum.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

• A new analysis shows that CO2 has dropped 17% due to the pandemic lockdown.
• NOAA releases its hurricane predictions as Cyclone Amphan bashes India and Bangladesh.
• Yesterday was the International Day for Biological Diversity. What’s the significance?
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

• NASA science writer Alan Buis explains why sea-level rise is real, even though you can’t see it.
• Joe Biden names Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and John Kerry as co-chairs of his Climate Task Force.
• Australian scientists say they have figured out how to make coral heat-resistant.
• And more…

Expand
Expanding
Close