Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
11 December 2023
Quiz: Are you a climate nerd?
Test your climate news knowledge with this seven-question quiz as the COP28 climate summit heads into the home stretch.
www.nytimes.com
A new study suggests that deep-ocean heatwaves, which can cause serious damage to marine ecosystems, are being overlooked due to the focus on surface-level events.
In short:
Key quote:
"Extreme temperature events below the sea surface are of greater ecological concern because they affect the habitat of most marine primary producers and consumers."
— Joint study by Australia's national science agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Why this matters:
Subsurface marine heatwaves can devastate marine life, threaten fisheries and worsen global food insecurity. Monitoring deeper ocean temperatures is crucial as climate change accelerates these events.
Read more: Surprise! Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm
Amazon, Google and Microsoft are investing heavily in nuclear energy to meet the massive power demands of AI and data centers while aiming for zero emissions.
In short:
Key quote:
“They have a desire to grow all this in a sustainable way, and at the moment the best answer is nuclear.”
— Aneesh Prabhu, managing director at S&P Global Ratings.
Why this matters:
AI and data centers demand increasing amounts of energy, and nuclear power offers a low-emission, reliable alternative. However, persistent concerns about costs and nuclear waste management remain key hurdles.
Learn more:
North Carolina lost $70 million in FEMA funding, including $18 million for flood resilience in western parts of the state, due to outdated building codes.
In short:
Key quote:
“We’re happy to have a debate about building codes anytime. We think right now, it’s probably a little early to have that debate because we don’t have the data from this historic event yet.”
— Tim Minton, executive vice president of the North Carolina Home Builders Association
Why this matters:
Delays in building code updates leave North Carolina homes and infrastructure more vulnerable to disasters like Hurricane Helene, driving up insurance costs and reducing federal aid eligibility. As climate-related disasters increase, stronger building codes are crucial to protecting communities.
A recent survey found that most Floridians support political candidates who prioritize addressing climate change, with significant partisan differences.
In short:
Key quote:
“The partisan split on climate in Florida appears to be growing, reversing the growing consensus we’ve observed in recent years.”
— Colin Polsky, associate vice president of Broward Campuses for FAU and a professor of geosciences within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Why this matters:
As Florida experiences stronger hurricanes linked to climate change, voters increasingly expect leadership to address the crisis. These results highlight both the political divide and common ground on climate and energy issues.
For more:
A massive solar project planned for California’s Riverside County has sparked local resistance, with residents of Desert Center calling for changes to safeguard their community and environment.
In short:
Key quote:
“We’re saying yes to renewable energy. We’re saying yes to saving the planet. Just not at the expense of our communities.”
— Mark Carrington, local resident.
Why this matters:
As large-scale solar projects multiply in California’s deserts, balancing clean energy development with local concerns becomes a growing challenge. Communities like Desert Center face environmental and health risks, including dust, water depletion and habitat loss.
Read more:
Phillips 66 announced plans to shutter its Los Angeles refinery by late 2025, just days after California passed new laws aimed at curbing gasoline price spikes and tightening refinery oversight.
In short:
Key quote:
“With the long-term sustainability of our Los Angeles refinery uncertain... we are working with leading land development firms to evaluate the future use of our unique properties near the Port of Los Angeles.”
— Mark Lashier, chairman and CEO of Phillips 66
Why this matters:
California's efforts to transition from fossil fuels face challenges balancing energy supply and environmental goals. The refinery's closure could strain gasoline production, leading to higher prices or supply disruptions in a state already battling high fuel costs.
Read more: Pollution, Poverty and People of Color: Living with Industry
Nearly two years after committing to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, most nations have made little progress, raising concerns ahead of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference next week.
Michael Casey and Christina Larson report for The Associated Press.
In short:
Key quote:
“There are some countries who can easily afford to update (their plans). There’s no reason why they didn’t do it ... and there are countries that didn’t get the support they needed.”
— Bernadette Fischler Hooper, head of global advocacy for WWF International.
Why this matters:
Without sufficient progress, global biodiversity loss threatens ecosystems essential to human survival, like water and food sources. The lack of funding and specific plans risks undermining urgent environmental goals.
Read more: Silence of the natural world signals a biodiversity crisis
Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.
Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.
"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.
An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.
“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”
A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.