carbon
Newsletter
South Korea ordered to set stricter carbon targets by 2031
A South Korean court has ruled that the country’s current climate measures are inadequate, requiring stronger carbon reduction targets to protect future generations.
In short:
- The Constitutional Court found South Korea's climate measures insufficient, violating the rights of future generations.
- The government must revise the Carbon Neutral Act to include specific reduction targets for 2031-2050.
- Activists see this ruling as a potential catalyst for similar legal actions across Asia.
Key quote:
“Future generations will be more exposed to the impact of climate change, but their participation in today’s democratic political process is limited.”
— South Korea’s Constitutional Court
Why this matters:
This ruling emphasizes the legal obligation to protect future generations from climate change, potentially inspiring stronger climate policies in Asia.
Related: South Korea's food waste recycling model turns leftovers into energy
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Canada’s 2023 wildfires released more carbon than nearly all countries
Wildfires that burned through Canada’s boreal forests in 2023 emitted more carbon dioxide than most countries, raising concerns about the future of global carbon storage.
In short:
- The 2023 Canadian wildfires emitted more carbon than all but three countries, complicating climate models.
- Boreal forests, vital for carbon storage, may no longer regrow as they used to due to frequent intense fires.
- Extreme weather, driven by climate change, is making catastrophic wildfires like these more common.
Key quote:
“These so-called flash droughts can really change things rapidly. It dried up real quick, real quick, and then you had lightning at the absolute worst time imaginable.”
— Marc-André Parisien, senior researcher, Canadian Forest Service
Why this matters:
As climate change accelerates, forests that once absorbed carbon may now contribute to global warming. This shift could worsen climate predictions, making it harder to limit global temperature rise.
Related EHN coverage:
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Oil drilling project near Aurora homes faces critical decision
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission is deliberating a plan for significant oil drilling near Aurora, challenging new state regulations aimed at balancing development and safety.
In short:
- The plan involves drilling on the Lowry Ranch property, a former Air Force site, proposing 156 wells over six years, with Civitas Resources seeking to streamline the permit process.
- Environmental groups and residents oppose the project, citing risks such as proximity to the Aurora Reservoir and a Superfund site, which Civitas has agreed not to drill under.
- The 2019 health and safety law reform gave local governments more power over drilling, and the plan’s approval will test the new regulations.
Key quote:
“What we’ve seen is people from all walks of life and various levels of oil and gas knowledge looking at the CAP application and realizing something isn’t right about it.”
— Mike Foote, environmental attorney
Why this matters:
The decision will test Colorado’s 2019 law meant to protect public health while allowing energy development. The outcome could influence future energy projects and the state’s approach to balancing environmental and economic interests.
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Data centers in Washington are jeopardizing the state’s green energy goals
Washington's push for carbon neutrality by 2030 is at odds with tax incentives promoting energy-intensive data centers, which strain the power grid and threaten green energy efforts.
Lulu Ramadan and Sydney Brownstone report for The Seattle Timesin partnership with ProPublica.
In short:
- Grant County's data centers, drawn by cheap hydroelectricity, now consume more power than any other local sector, leading to an energy crunch.
- The state’s hydropower is finite, forcing counties to use unspecified, often carbon-emitting, energy sources to meet rising demand.
- Legislative efforts to study data center energy consumption were vetoed, leaving gaps in understanding their impact on the power grid.
Key quote:
“Our existing hydro system is pretty much tapped out. So you’ve got a dilemma of how you’ll meet this additional load from data centers with clean resources or, frankly, with any resources.”
— Randall Hardy, energy consultant and former administrator of Bonneville Power Administration.
Why this matters:
Balancing economic growth and environmental goals is critical as data centers increase energy demand, potentially undermining the state's commitment to green energy and leading to higher electricity rates and reliability issues.
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Company pursues carbon storage under US forests despite initial denials
CapturePoint Solutions, initially denied twice by the U.S. Forest Service, may soon gain approval to store millions of tons of carbon dioxide beneath national forests due to a proposed rule change.
In short:
- CapturePoint Solutions leased land and started carbon management programs near Forest Service land after initial denials.
- The Forest Service is considering a rule to allow carbon storage under federal lands, though they insist CapturePoint's requests did not influence this decision.
- Critics argue carbon storage could lead to leaks and industrialization of federal lands, while proponents see it as crucial for meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Key quote:
“It gives industry essentially a place to dump their carbon dioxide waste, benefit from the tax credits, and they don't have to deal with the messiness of trying to get permission from property owners and eminent domain.”
— Victoria Bogdan Tejeda, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Storing carbon dioxide underground could help mitigate climate change, but it also poses risks like potential leaks and environmental impacts. Understanding the balance between these risks and benefits is essential for future policy decisions.
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Drying of the Great Salt Lake releases significant greenhouse gases
The Great Salt Lake emitted 4.1 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, contributing significantly to Utah’s emissions, researchers report.
In short:
- The Great Salt Lake's dried bed emitted 4.1 million tons of CO2 and other gases in 2020.
- Human activities and climate change have exacerbated the lake's decline.
- Emissions from dried lakes are not currently included in official carbon inventories.
Key quote:
"This is the first time we’re saying, ‘This is something that’s on us.’"
— Soren Brothers, climate change curator, Royal Ontario Museum
Why this matters:
The drying of lakes, driven by human actions and climate change, releases significant greenhouse gases, which are currently unaccounted for in national carbon inventories. This oversight means that actual emissions might be higher than reported, impacting climate policy and mitigation efforts.
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Forests struggle to absorb carbon due to extreme heat and wildfires
Last year's extreme heat, droughts and wildfires weakened forests' ability to absorb carbon dioxide, raising climate change concerns, a new study reveals.
In short:
- Earth’s land lost significant carbon absorption capacity in 2023 due to high temperatures and severe wildfires.
- Preliminary research indicates a troubling trend that could complicate climate change mitigation efforts.
- Northern forests may struggle to recover their carbon-absorbing abilities compared to tropical rainforests.
Key quote:
“We expect the land sink to slow eventually, but I hoped it wouldn’t happen so soon. If it slows this early, we’re in trouble.”
— Rob Jackson, a climate scientist at Stanford and author of the book “Into the Clear Blue Sky
Why this matters:
Forests act as vital carbon sinks, reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Their diminished capacity to absorb carbon could accelerate global warming, making climate change harder to combat.
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