Two Years to Save the Planet

Two Years to Save the Planet

The United Nation’s climate chief says the next two years are essential to saving our planet. Governments, business leaders, and development banks need to work together to cut global emissions to avert far worse climate change. Last year, the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions increased to a record high. Scientists say that halving climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is crucial. Current commitments to fight climate change would barely cut global emissions at all by 2030. The UN climate chief says the group of 20 leading economic powers, who are together responsible for 80% of global emissions, urgently need to step up and implement stronger plans now. He calls for more climate finance to be raised through debt relief, cheaper financing for poorer countries, new sources of international finance such as a tax on shipping emissions, and reforms at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Kate Abnett and Simon Jessop, Reuters

All Species Thrive at 20C

Scientists believe that all species on Earth appear to thrive at an optimal 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Animals, plants, and microbes living in both air and water have overlapping temperature ranges at 20C. Many species have adapted to live in both warmer and cooler climates, but the study suggests that land species may struggle more to adapt to the ever changing climate. Temperatures above 20C become increasingly suboptimal for all domains of life, and impacts the efficiency of biological processes due to the molecular properties of water in cells. The efficiency of chemical processes inside cells increases as temperatures rise, reaches a maximum, and then declines rapidly when it gets too hot. Temperatures warmer than 20C could result in several crucial changes to organisms, such as a reduction in tolerance to low oxygen levels among marine species. Marine species are better able to adapt by altering their geographical distribution, while land species may not be able to shift due to changes in landscape like cities, farms, etc.

Vishwam Sankaran, Independent

Cement is Damaging the Climate

As the world develops, more buildings and roads are being made with concrete. The problem though, is that the making of concrete is responsible for roughly 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with cement plants being found nearly every 250 miles around the world. One California startup company has developed a technology that reduces carbon dioxide in the making of cement by intercepting the carbon dioxide exhaust from the kilns and routes it back in to make additional cement. Initially, the startup called Fortera will produce a blend that reduces carbon by about 10%. There is a strong demand for higher blends that reduce carbon by 40-50%, and for an even more pure product which has 70% lower carbon.

Isabella O’Malley, Associated Press

What’s in the works for ClimateWatch?

Our goal is to bring you the latest in climate issues, trends, forecasts, innovations, and more. One way we’re hoping to do that in the future is by including an in-depth analysis from one of our experts! Stay tuned for that, you won’t want to miss it.