Climate Change – Page 25

As Seen from Afar 11/09/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 6:18 pm Politics

Nov 092021

COP 26 Day 9 | ‘Climate change is sexist’

Euronews Green delivers a Special COP26 email to my mailbox every day during the two weeks it is running (01-12 November 2021). I’ll publish it in its entirety for those who are interested. This is the sixth in the series.

Today’s takeaway

On Gender Day, COP26 turned its focus to the disproportionate climate impacts suffered by women and girls across the world.

“Climate change is sexist,” a US government official put it on Tuesday. 80 per cent of people displaced by climate change are women and children, according to UNFCC.

“But women and girls are also leading efforts to tackle climate change in communities around the world,” said COP26 chairman Alok Sharma as he outlined pledges for gender-responsive climate finance.

The puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian girl known as Little Amal made the journey to Glasgow to “represent all girls who could not be here,” at COP26, said Samoan activist Brianna Fruean as she opened the Gender Day lead event with Amal.

Meanwhile, the hard work on the summit’s cover decision continued in negotiation rooms. The UK presidency said it will publish a first draft of the summit’s final decision overnight. New texts have been tabled on time frames, transparency, finance and adaptation so far.

“We still have a mountain to climb,” warned Sharma as the clock ticked to strike a deal that will help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

New forecasts released on Tuesday suggest the world is still far off that number. Think tank Climate Action Tracker said current climate policies put us on track to a scary 2.7 degrees Celsius warming – or 2.4 C if all governments met their 2030 targets.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Monday, here are five takeaways from Day 8.

At a glance

Five reasons climate change affects women more than men

Women and girls experience violence and a lack of access to education as a direct result of the climate crisis.

What is land inequality and how does it threaten women?

Land inequality is directly threatening 1.4 billion of the world’s poorest people including women, according to a recent report.
Read more

COP26: Why has a speech by Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister gone viral?

Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister Simon Kofe spoke to Euronews after a video of his speech at COP26 showing him standing knee-deep in seawater took the internet by storm.
Read more

Social exclusive

As Seen from Afar 11/08/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 3:52 pm Politics

Nov 082021

COP 26 Day 8 | Will ministers ever agree?

Today’s takeaway

As COP26 enters its final and decisive week, ministers from all over the world are arriving in Glasgow with a challenging task at hand. They must reach a consensus between almost 200 countries on the rules that will govern the implementation of the 2015 Paris agreement.

Positions are still far apart, according to many observers. A long list of contentious issues includes international carbon markets, deadlines for climate targets and accountability mechanisms.

Loss and Damage – the theme of the day – remains another sticking point. Little progress has been registered so far on the demand from climate-vulnerable countries to receive compensation for the damages caused by historic emissions of wealthy nations.

Meanwhile, the UK COP26 presidency announced several hundreds of millions of pledges of funding to support communities struggling to respond to climate change.

Yet numerous developing nations expressed their pessimism about the progress of negotiations on Monday, saying pledges were high in quantity but low in quality.

“We have not done nearly enough,” said former US President Barack Obama as he spoke at the summit.

Praising young people’s climate action, he told them: “I want you to stay angry, I want you to stay frustrated. But channel that anger and that frustration to keep pushing for more and more.”

In case you weren’t able to follow along this weekend, here are five key takeaways from global climate marches on Saturday.

At a glance

Has the UN ‘failed to address’ the root causes of climate change?

As negotiators and COP attendees were having a well-deserved rest, a People’s Tribunal took place on Sunday. Made up of activists, experts, NGOs and even a former COP negotiator from the Global South, the mock tribunal heard four hours of evidence against the UN organisation.

Could airplane pollution be solved by fuel made of sunlight and air?

Aeroplane fuel can be made out of just sunlight and air, say scientists in Switzerland. A new system has been created on the roof of ETH Zurich University where engineers are testing whether this type of fuel generation can work in the real world. So is making plane fuel out of natural elements too good to be true – and how does it actually work?
Read more

Green hydrogen: How half the water in a toilet flush could power your home for days

Emission-free hydrogen could, one day, entirely replace fossil fuels – and a start up in Germany believes it has the key ingredient to make it accessible to all. Born in a climate-change affected South Pacific Island, Vaitea Cowan believes deeply in green hydrogen technology.
Read more

Social exclusive

Open Thread for November 8, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:10 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 082021

Yesterday, it was fairly quiet again. I had actually waited until morning to change the clocks, which I did when I got up, and also managed to change the newest one, which also shows date and temperature, from Centigrade to Fahrenheit. Let’s just say that was not intuitive. I know, it’s less scientific, but it’s more meaningful to me, being what I grew up with. And, because the degrees are closer together, it feels more accurate to me, although less scientifically useful.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Liz Cheney Brands Tucker Carlson ‘Un-American’ In Fox News Interview
Quote – “You know, it’s the same kind of thing that you hear from people who say that 9/11 was an inside job,” the Republican lawmaker said. “It’s un-American to be spreading those kinds of lies and they are lies. And we have an obligation that goes beyond partisanship, an obligation that we share — Democrats and Republicans together — to make sure that we understand every single piece of the facts about what happened that day and to make sure the people who did are held accountable.”
Click through for a video and a little more text. I realize Cheney msy have a personal interest in 9/11 not being a false flag – because if it were, her dad was involved. But she still gets some points for recognizing and avoiding hypocrisy.

AP News – Culture war fight finds mixed success in school board races
Quote – But across the country, culture and identity fights were less decisive. The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 96 school districts in more than a dozen states where race education and masking were part of the debate. It found that at least one anti-critical race theory or anti-mask candidate prevailed in 35 of the 86 districts in which it has determined winners, or 40%. “Where they won, they won in really high numbers,” said Doug Kronaizl, a staff writer for Ballotpedia, noting that candidates who won on the issue tended to be concentrated in the same districts. “But overall nationwide they didn’t win that much.”
Click through for specificities. This is hish on my worries list. County, municipal, and school board elections here are “non-partisan,” as I suspect they are in most states. That sounds good, but in practice it means you have no idea for whom you are voting, and no way to find out how they think. And school boards, cities, and counties are where cndidates for state and federal office come from.

GWN (Good Word News) – The longest partial lunar eclipse of the century is coming: date, how to look
Quote – According to NASA, a three-hour, 28-minute partial lunar eclipse will take place on November 18 and 19 and people around the world will only have to walk outside to get a glimpse. Night watchers on the U.S. east coast will be able to watch the event from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. ET, according to NASA. Those on the West Coast can watch the sky between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. PT.
Click through for a bit of background. Midnight till 2 is actually not too bad a time for me, so I may actually be able to see this one. And it shouldn’t require sunglasses.

Food for Thought –

Open Thread for November 6, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:51 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 062021

Yesterday, another quiet day, thankfully.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The 19th – A Duchess and a senator go to dinner
Quote – In a furious dash to ensure a universal paid leave policy — however small — makes it into the final version of a care package weaving its way through Congress, the Democratic legislators who have advocated for the policy for years are trying everything — including working with the Duchess of Sussex.
Click through for how this happened. I have nor forgiven Gillibramd, but if this helps get it done, that may help. (Incidentally, SOME people are capable of rising above “I’ve got mine” and work to help others.)

Wonkette – Special Counsel John Durham Arrests Russian Pee Tape Man For TERRIBLE LIES!
Quote – We’re sorry, but does any of that rise to the level of “lied to FBI about secret negotiations with Russian government”? We are just asking, because we are unclear on what the standards are here in Wonderland.
Click through for story. I don’t know what else you’d expect from a “Special Prosecutor” appointed by Bill Barr. Couldn’t (and shouldn’t) he be replaced with a real person?

The Hill – Democrats ramp up filibuster talks after voting rights setback
Quote – After months of trying to give space for bipartisan discussions on election legislation, Democrats are planning internal talks about what, if any, rules changes they’ll be able to get through on their own. Those ideas include smaller shifts on nominations or amendments. But altering the filibuster — particularly when it comes to elections bills — is getting the most attention.
Click through for more – I should bloody well hope the filibuster’s abolishment is getting discussed!

Food for Thought –

Democracy for America and Robert Reich want you to sign (and share) this petition (and I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to.)

As Seen from Afar 11/05/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 3:19 pm Politics

Nov 052021

COP 26 Day 5 | Young people raise their voices

Today’s takeaway

After world leaders, financiers and energy experts had their say, COP26 turned its focus to young people and marginalised communities on Friday.

“What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!” thousands of mostly young protesters chanted as they took to the streets of Glasgow.

Instead of the optimistic statements by officials over the past few days, activists slammed COP26 as a “failure”.

“We will not accept it,” climate activist Greta Thunberg told a buzzing crowd at the Fridays for Future march. She compared the summit to a “global north greenwash festival” and finished with, “this is shameful”.

Young people raised their voices not just outside the summit venue but also inside. The COP26 Presidency said the views of over 40,000 young climate leaders were presented to ministers and negotiators at a meeting today.

However, young activists said they were not sure they were being heard. “I feel like I’m being seen,” said Brianna Fruean, a 23-year-old activist from Samoa at the beginning of the conference. But – “I will know if I’ve been heard by the end of COP.”

In other news today, a study by Oxfam charity found that the world’s richest 1 per cent would emit 30 times more carbon dioxide than the amount deemed compatible with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C. The world’s richest “appear to have a free pass to pollute,” Oxfam said.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Thursday, here are the 5 key takeaways from day 4 of COP26.

At a glance

Climate activists walk 820km in 26 days to reach COP26

Meet the activists who walked from London to Glasgow to raise awareness, engagement and action on the climate crisis. Over the course of 26 days, the hikers battled rain, wind and storms to arrive on time for the beginning of COP26.
Read more

Greta Thunberg speaks to thousands: ‘COP26 is a PR event to fight for the status quo’

The young Swedish activist spoke with urgency, attacking the climate conference itself on the Youth Stage at COP26 today. “COP has turned into a PR event where leaders are giving beautiful speeches and fancy commitments and targets,” she said.
Read more

Meet the young people turning eco-anxiety into eco-activism

Phoebe Hanson felt powerless, alone and afraid when she first learned about climate change as a teenager. But instead of giving in to feelings of despair, she has turned her own experience into a tool for helping other young people suffering from eco-anxiety.
Read more

Social exclusive

Open Thread for November 5, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 052021

Yesterday, my visor extender came, and it is substantial. It’s already a little longer than my visor without any extending – and it has a side extender which I probably won’t be able to extend completely when it’s in the windshield, because it will run into the rear view mirror, but which will be very handy when it’s turned to the side window. In the package were two items which are not what I thought I had ordered, and whch are hard to describe, but which I think I can use to good effect also. So, 9 days ahead of my next visit, I am set.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Zuckerberg’s ‘Meta’ Name Already Taken By Anti-Capitalist Org
Quote – “Through art and research, argument, and poetry,” the site says, “mέta (the abbreviation of our Our Center for Postcapitalist Civilization) works to break with a dystopic present to imagine the world anew—to grasp our present historical moment so as to help radical progressive movements find a path from the emergent dismal postcapitalism to one worth fighting, and living, for.”
Click through for story. I can’t find it now, but I’m sure I saw somewhere that mέta applies for trademark protection four months ago. This is important because names are not subject to copyright. Trademarks, on the other hand, are protected at least as strongly as copyrights. So Zuck may have to think again. I ceertainly hope so.

‘That Is Literally Congress’s House’: Judge Skewers Donald Trump’s Argument That Jan. 6 Investigation Lacks Legislative Purpose
Quote – The judge quickly took aim at Trump’s reliance on the Supreme Court’s Mazars decision, which established that lower courts must take into account separation of powers concerns implicated by congressional subpoenas when information related to the president is implicated. Much has changed since that July 2020 decision. Namely, Trump is no longer president.
Click through for more. This is somewhat under everyone’s radar (well, except for Glemm’s radar), but I think worth knowing.

Giuliani investigators home in on 2019 plan to advance Ukraine interests in US
Quote – The high-profile federal criminal investigation of Rudy Giuliani in recent days has zeroed in on evidence that in the spring of 2019 three Ukrainian government prosecutors agreed to award contracts, valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to Giuliani and two other American attorneys as a way to gain political and personal influence with the Trump administration.
Click through for somewhat mealy-mouthed details. Subtitle: “Prosecutors believe Giuliani and two others may have violated law over agreement that would have seen them win lucrative contracts” Gee, ya think?

Food for Thought –

As Seen from Afar 11/04/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 4:48 pm Politics

Nov 042021

COP 26 Day 4 | Is this the end of coal?

Today’s takeaway

It was Energy Day at COP26 today and negotiators switched their focus to how the world can ditch fossil fuels.

Among a flurry of announcements, one in particular stood out. Over 20 countries committed to both phasing out and refusing to build new coal power plants for the first time.

“Today, I think we can say that the end of coal is in sight,” said COP26 chairman Alok Sharma, praising the deal.

However, critics pointed out that the biggest polluters, like the United States and China, have so far failed to sign up. They also argued that all fossil fuels need to be phased out, it’s not just coal.

In a turn of events, by the end of the day, Poland had already reversed its commitment to exit coal by 2030.

Meanwhile, Indonesia backpedalled on its promise to end deforestation by 2030 after signing up to a landmark deal along with over 100 other countries.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Wednesday, here are the 5 key takeaways from day 3 of COP26.

At a glance

Biggest polluters are missing from major pledge to phase out coal

More than 40 countries have made a major commitment to end coal use on Wednesday. But several major economies still have not set a date for ending their dependence on the fuel that is a major source of planet-warming emissions.
Read more

What is ‘nature tech’ and why should you listen out for it at COP26?

Director and chair of the Nature4Climate initiative Lucy Almond makes the case for ‘nature tech’ and explains why bridging the two worlds is so essential.
Read more

Renewable energy will never be 100% green, says expert

Switching to clean energy is the best chance we have of slowing down the climate crisis. But one scientist tells Euronews renewable sources can never be 100% green, due to the emissions generated from manufacturing them.
Read more

Social exclusive

Open Thread for November 4, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:12 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 042021

Yesterday, I overslept a biy – still tired from the day before. So I kind of took my time – and worked some on a new portrait doll. Otherwise, a quiet day.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Daily Beast – Florida Trio Accused of Smuggling Guns to ‘400 Mawozo’ Gang in Haiti
Quote – Three Florida residents are facing federal charges for allegedly smuggling firearms from South Florida to leaders of Haiti’s notorious 400 Mawozo gang, recently accused of kidnapping at least 17 American and Canadian missionaries last month near Port-au-Prince.
Click through for the exact charges. Who did they think they were, the CIA?

Law & Crime – Woman Pointed Gun at 7-Year-Old Child Who Was Trick-or-Treating: Deputies
Quote – According to authorities, Bradford was yelling at nearby trick-or-treaters. Deputies did not explain how this escalated to her pointing a gun at the 7-year-old, or specify why she was mad in the first place, but that is what they alleged she did.
Click through for mugshot. There’s not much detail but the quote was so Dunning-Kruger I couldn’t resist.

Crooks and Liars – Everyone Is Watching Sir David Attenborough Today And You Should Too
Quote – The problem often feels too big for one person to understand, let alone make a difference in solving it. But Sir David Attenborough makes it EASY to understand…. I watched it this morning and feel BETTER and better informed on the topic of climate change than I ever have before. I hope you do, too.
Click through for video and full accurate transcript. We really need this.

Food for Thought –

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