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Each week we share news and social media updates related to our “The 10 Ways to Save Our Planet” list.
Uninvited! “UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres excluded key nations like the US, China, and UK from speaking at the UN climate action summit due to their poor climate credibility.“
1. Act Now
Gen Zers turn up the heat on President Biden. They want climate action, not words
(usatoday.com)
For 24-year-old Ayisha Siddiqa, a research scholar at New York University Law School studying the intersection of human rights and climate change, Biden’s policies are “wishy-washy.”
While Biden has showcased himself as a climate president and has had progressive policies related to climate, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, the actions of the administration don’t often represent what they are saying, Siddiqa said.
We Need Climate Action Everywhere, All at Once
A piece by Katharine Hayhoe, the chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, a distinguished professor at Texas Tech University, and the author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.
(time.com)
2. Build Political Will
The global fight against climate change hinges on building political will, as recent events underscore. Leaked documents reveal UAE oil executives collaborating with COP28 organizers, highlighting industry influence.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres excluded key nations like the US, China, and UK from speaking at the UN climate action summit due to their poor climate credibility. Notably, former UN Climate Secretary Christiana Figueres told oil and gas companies not to attend COP28 unless they did so with a genuine commitment to change.
Additionally, the PR industry faces scrutiny as the Clean Creatives campaign releases a list of 500 contracts between fossil fuel companies and advertising agencies, with WPP emerging as the worst offender.
In the UK, Rishi Sunak’s policy backtracks prompt scrutiny of national climate commitments. These events collectively emphasize the urgency of political resolve to combat climate change.
Lastly, Climate Tech VC has a NY Climate Week debrief we recommend.
3. Eliminate Fossil Fuels
👍 From UN Secretary-General’s closing remarks, UN Climate Ambition Summit:
“And if these first-doers and first-movers can do it, everybody can do it.”
4. Speed up renewable energy
5. Shift towards sustainable transportation
The need to shift towards sustainable transportation to fix climate change has become more pressing than ever. European governments are failing to fund their rail and public transport systems, instead directing funding towards motorways and road-building. As for electric vehicles, Kia’s new $20K Ray EV has already garnered 6,000 pre-orders in Korea alone, signaling a growing demand for zero-emission cars. But it’s not just about the vehicles themselves – CleanTechnica suggests that more focus should be given to redesigning roads to prioritize active transport and reduce reliance on cars.
Why You Should Support E-Bikes, Even if You Don’t Ride One
(calbike.org)
My Old Car Works Just Fine. Is It Still Greener to Spring For an Electric Car?
(outsideonline.com)
6. Adopt planet-friendly agricultural practices
7. Eat a more climate friendly diet
8. Create sustainable cities and buildings
9. Protect and restore our environment
10. Ensure global warming stays below dangerous limits
The amount of Antarctic sea ice continues to hit new record lows, threatening the delicate balance of the world’s ecosystems. In California, the state’s fishing industry is feeling the impacts of climate change as warmer waters and droughts disrupt the salmon population. Meanwhile, London’s mayor warns that the city could see 45°C (113°F) days in the near future if action isn’t taken to mitigate climate change. As wildfires continue to ravage parts of the US, NPR reports that they have undone years of progress made in cleaning up America’s air.
Video of the week
Hannah Ritchie TED 2023
The word “sustainability” gets thrown around a lot these days. But what does it actually mean for humanity to be sustainable? Environmental data scientist Hannah Ritchie digs into the numbers behind human progress across centuries, unpacking why the conventional understanding of sustainability is misleading and showing how we can be the first generation of humans to actually achieve it.
From Social Media
Fair enough. Politics are hard.
Link of the week
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