Monthly Archives: August 2024

Scientists have uncovered more than 1,700 viruses from deep within a glacier on the Tibetan Plateau, most of which are new to science. These viruses, extracted from a 1,000-foot ice core in the Guliya Glacier, date back 41,000 years and span three major climate shifts. Researchers found that viral communities differed significantly between cold and warm periods, suggesting a potential link between viruses and climate change.

Warming may have eliminated some viruses while introducing new ones from distant regions like the Arctic. These ancient viruses could provide insights into how life evolved through past climate changes and help understand whether ancient ecosystems were carbon sinks or sources. Although some dormant viruses released from melting glaciers might pose risks, the viruses from the Guliya glacier do not threaten humans, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience. Researchers emphasize the importance of studying these viruses before glaciers disappear. Read More

News Credit: Yale Environment 360

Picture Credit: unknown

Legal experts say the outcome of an international court case on climate change obligations could bolster the legal position of Caribbean islands seeking damages from developed nations after natural disasters.

The case, brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the UN General Assembly, aims to clarify the extent of state liability in relation to climate change. It has garnered global attention, with a record 91 written submissions ahead of a landmark oral hearing in The Hague this December.

While the ICJ only provides an advisory opinion, human rights lawyer Nikki Reisch emphasized that the court’s interpretation of international law could strengthen the legal grounds for holding countries accountable for current and historical environmental damage. Reisch noted that “any clarity the ICJ provides on the obligations of major polluters will enhance the basis for climate justice and accountability, influencing global climate litigation and negotiations.” Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit:  Leo Hudson/AP

The 2024 sustainability landscape marks a significant era of ESG capacity building, with companies increasingly embedding sustainability into their core operations. Deloitte’s 2024 Sustainability Action Report reveals that 98% of executives have made progress toward their sustainability goals, driven by the creation of cross-functional ESG working groups and the rise of specialized roles like Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs).

This strategic shift signals a deep integration of ESG into corporate strategies. However, data quality remains a significant challenge, particularly in measuring Scope 3 emissions, with 57% of companies identifying it as their top concern. Despite these hurdles, companies recognize the internal and external benefits of robust ESG practices, which are becoming essential for enhancing business performance. Read More

News Credit: ESG News

Tucked away in an office park hundreds of miles from the southeast Florida coast, where North America’s only barrier reef is at dire risk, a collection of brain corals performed a once-a-year feature: producing a constellation of egg sacks, each a bundle of hope.

The brain corals, with their geometric groove design, are among more than 500 coral specimens arranged within rows of tanks inside the Florida Coral Rescue Center. This facility is staffed by SeaWorld and funded by Disney, the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Located a few miles from the theme parks, off a congested highway, this nondescript facility plays a crucial role in coral conservation.

A half-dozen conservationists gathered here on a recent evening and invested a year’s worth of work in this event. They calibrated the lighting to emulate the days, nights, and seasons of the Florida Keys, from where many of the corals were rescued. They meticulously maintained the water inside the tanks, ensuring the chemistry and temperature were precise to recreate conditions that would signal to the corals it was time to spawn.

Their efforts paid off. Slowly, the egg bundles, each no larger than a pea and filled with 10 to 15 eggs, rose to the surface, where they were collected with nets. In time, the eggs would be fertilized, and baby corals would be raised in hopes of eventually transplanting them back to the reefs, giving them a fighting chance against the heat and disease that threaten their existence. Read More

News Credit: Inside Climate News
Picture Credit: Katey Lesneski/NOAA

As long-term investors, insurers play a pivotal role in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. In the UK alone, the insurance industry manages investments totalling £1.8 trillion. Across Europe, insurers invest over €10.6 trillion in the EU economy. Their vested interest in responsible investment stems from the direct consequences that climate change and a disorderly transition can have on their businesses and policyholders.

According to Aon’s Climate and Catastrophe Insight 2024 report, the direct economic cost of the physical impacts of natural disasters last year totalled $380 billion, 22 per cent above the 21st-century average. Most, if not all, insured risks are directly or indirectly exposed to the physical or transition risks of climate change. Read More

News Credit: AON

For the past year, consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble has been conducting a unique experiment, monitoring the water usage of 10 American families. Far from Orwellian, this study aims to see if families can thrive using just a quarter of their usual water consumption with the help of P&G’s water-saving products.

Featured in the new documentary “Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey,” voiced by Liam Neeson, the experiment showcases how small changes in daily habits facilitated by innovative products can significantly reduce water use. This effort is part of P&G’s broader mission to address global water scarcity, including recycling over 3 billion litres of water annually in its facilities.

P&G is also a founding member of the 50L Home Coalition, alongside partners like Ikea and Kohler, expanding the experiment in Los Angeles. The goal? To use real-world data to drive innovation and make sustainability irresistible to consumers. “Sustainability cannot scale if there’s not a business driver,” says P&G.

By turning sustainability into a business imperative, P&G aims to take charge of creating products that help save the planet, one household at a time. Read More

News Credit: TCD (The Cool Down)

Image: Freepik

The Paris Olympics aims to halve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of previous games, targeting a maximum carbon budget of 1.58 Mt CO2 eq. This ambitious goal faces significant challenges, especially considering that the Tokyo 2020 Games, held during a pandemic without spectators, still generated nearly 2 Mt CO2 eq.

The primary emission sources for the 2024 Olympics are expected to be:

• Travel: Participants’ and spectators’ travel could account for a quarter of emissions.
• Construction: Permanent and temporary infrastructure could contribute another 25%.
• Operations: Catering, accommodation, and logistics will make up the final quarter.

Uncertainties remain, particularly with transport and the construction of a new motorway junction, which could increase emissions. The true carbon footprint will be revealed post-games, with a promise of transparent and independently verified reporting.

Can Paris achieve its “green games” promise amidst these challenges? The answer will unfold as the event draws nearer. Read More

News Credit: Red Blue and Green