A Change in Rice Farming Had Unexpected Consequences in India

Reversing Climate Change Costs Quadruple After Tipping Point

Like tipping the first tile in a line of dominoes sets off a chain reaction, crossing a tipping point in the climate system could similarly spark a cascading set of consequences like hastened warming, rising sea levels, and increasingly extreme weather. Looking at the economic side of climate change, experts warn that the cost of reversing the effects of climate change may quadruple after the tipping point is reached. Tipping points include things like melting ice sheets and dwindling tropical coral reefs. Keeping in mind that not all effects of climate change are reversible, if we act now, the costs could be significantly less and impacts down the road may not be as harsh. In the case of polar sea ice, which is melting at a pace unrivaled by any period in the past 1,500 years, a reversal would entail halting melt and reestablishing ice cover. Scientists say some tipping points have an overshoot winder, a period of time just after a tipping point is crossed where the cost of intervention doesn’t start its steep climb right away and grows more linearly over time.

Pacific Northwest National Library, Phys.org

A Change in Rice Farming Had Unexpected Consequences in India

In an effort to preserve vanishing groundwater, Indian farmers delayed the annual sowing of rice by a few weeks to take advantage of monsoon rains. However, it has had some unintended consequences. Air pollution has dramatically worsened in New Delhi and the surrounding region. Rice farmers burn the field stubble that remains after harvesting rice to prepare for the next crop. But now, the harvest coincides with winter, when the winds shift. The wind shift is now blowing smoke across the plains of northern India. Delaying the sowing of rice has caused up to a 20% increase in smoke particles. New Delhi’s air reached its worst level in 5 years recently, prompting the government to shut down schools, construction, and some offices. Some experts say the delay in sowing may not only be taking a toll on India’s air, but on the global climate as a whole. Researchers have shown how crop burning releases black carbon, a pollutant even more effective than CO2 at absorbing light and warming the atmosphere. The Indian government has found black carbon falling onto the glaciers of the Himalayas, heating the surface and quickening the melting.

Karishma Mehrotra, The Washington Post

Qatar Invests $1.3 Billion in Climate Technology in Britain

The British government announced that Qatar will be investing $1.3 billion in climate technology in the United Kingdom. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and launch climate technology hubs in both countries to accelerate the development of climate-friendly technologies. One program noted is an investment by Rolls-Royce to improve energy efficiency, support new sustainable fuels, and lower carbon emissions. The program also hopes to invest in startups focusing on energy efficiency, carbon management, and green power.

Catarina Demony and Mark Potter, Reuters

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