greenhouse gas emissions
Restoring our atmosphere is a new frontier in climate action
Rob Jackson's new book, Into the Clear Blue Sky, emphasizes the urgent need to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also restore the atmosphere's health to pre-industrial levels through a concept he calls "atmospheric restoration."
In short:
- Climate scientist Rob Jackson calls for restoring greenhouse gases to pre-industrial levels, emphasizing methane due to its short atmospheric lifespan.
- Jackson highlights the importance of diverse climate solutions, even those that may not be widely favored, to tackle emissions and restore atmospheric health.
- The book advocates for seeing climate action as a pathway to improved health and longer lives, addressing pollution's deadly impacts.
Key quote:
"I emphasize methane in the book because I believe it’s the strongest lever we have to make a difference for short-term temperatures over the next decade or two."
— Rob Jackson, climate scientist
Why this matters:
Into the Clear Blue Sky outlines practical steps and innovative ideas to not just halt the damage but actively restore our planet's health. Read more: Oil and gas methane emissions in US are at least 15% higher than we thought.
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Clean technology advances help stabilize global climate pollution
Global climate pollution from fossil fuels is showing signs of stabilizing, thanks to advances in clean technology like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
In short:
- The Carbon Monitor Project reports a slight decline in global climate pollution from February to May 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
- Despite the peak in emissions, atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise rapidly due to centuries of accumulated pollution.
- China and the U.S. play pivotal roles in reducing global emissions, with clean energy advancements being crucial.
Key quote:
"Now we are finding that atmospheric CO2 levels are increasing faster than ever. We must recognize that these are clear signals of the damage carbon dioxide pollution is doing to the climate system, and take rapid action to cut fossil fuel use as quickly as we can."
— Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator
Why this matters:
Stabilizing global emissions is a critical milestone in combating climate change, signaling a potential turning point towards reducing harmful pollution and mitigating severe weather impacts. Read more: In the race for clean energy, the US is both a leader and a laggard — here’s how.
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The Biden administration is ordered to resume natural gas export permits
A federal judge has mandated the Biden administration to restart issuing permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, overturning a pause intended to assess climate and economic impacts.
In short:
- Judge James D. Cain, Jr. ruled that the pause on LNG permits has caused economic harm to states like Texas and Louisiana.
- The decision follows a lawsuit from 16 Republican attorneys general who claimed the pause was damaging to their states' economies.
- Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm expects the analysis on LNG exports to be completed by late this year.
Key quote:
“In every corner of the country and the world, people are suffering the devastating toll of climate change. This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time.”
— U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in January when the pause on new LNG approvals was announced
Why this matters:
The ruling impacts national policy on energy exports and climate change mitigation efforts. If the Biden administration appeals this latest decision, the appeal will likely be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana: Davenport notes that several Trump-appointed Fifth Circuit judges have previously decided for plaintiffs in cases challenging Biden administration environmental policies.
Read EHN's two-part series about LNG expansion on the Gulf Coast (also available in Spanish):
Part 1: LNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warnLNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warn
Part 2: Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way
See also: For environmental groups, Biden’s LNG decision cause for celebration – and caution
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Newsletter
George Woodwell, climate change pioneer and ecologist, passes away at 95
George Woodwell, founder of the Woods Hole Research Center, whose influential work shaped U.S. environmental policies, died at 95.
In short:
- George Woodwell, who founded the Woods Hole Research Center in 1985, was instrumental in shaping U.S. policies on toxic substances and climate change.
- His research highlighted the dangers of synthetic pollutants and the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels, making him a key figure in early climate change awareness.
- Woodwell's work led to significant environmental actions, including the federal ban on DDT and the establishment of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Key quote:
"I said the same things then that I say today. The climatic disruption has the potential of changing the earth as much as a nuclear war will."
— George Woodwell, ecologist
Why this matters:
George Woodwell's pioneering research and activism laid the groundwork for modern environmentalism and climate policy, spearheading the ongoing need to address climate change to protect public health and the environment. Read the announcement from the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
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The US must acknowledge climate debt to protect vulnerable nations
To mitigate the impact of climate change, wealthy nations like the U.S. need to take responsibility and provide reparations to countries most affected by global warming.
In short:
- Thirty-three years after the Chantilly climate conference, global temperatures and emissions have risen dramatically, causing severe environmental crises.
- The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) proposed a framework for climate reparations in 1991, which remains relevant but has yet to be fully implemented.
- Despite some progress, wealthy nations, including the US, have largely failed to make significant commitments to climate reparations.
Key quote:
"The very existence of low-lying coastal and small vulnerable island countries is placed at risk by the consequences of climate change."
— Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) delegates.
Why this matters:
Addressing climate debt is crucial for preventing the collapse of vulnerable nations and ensuring global stability. Ignoring these obligations could lead to severe worldwide consequences, including increased migration and geopolitical instability. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
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Pollution from China's smog cleanup leads to unexpected ocean warming
Recent research reveals that China's air pollution cleanups have inadvertently contributed to extreme heat waves in the Pacific Ocean.
In short:
- The reduction of smog particles in China, while beneficial for public health, has contributed to extreme ocean warming events known as "The Blob."
- Aerosol emissions, which shield the planet from solar radiation, are declining globally, leading to unexpected climate impacts, including more intense regional heatwaves.
- The cleanup of air pollution in China has altered atmospheric patterns, intensifying warming in the Pacific and potentially leading to larger climatic disruptions.
Key quote:
“Without the cooling effect of the aerosols, the world would already have reached the 1.5- degree temperature threshold of ‘dangerous’ climate change as set out by the Paris agreement.”
— Johannes Quaas, meteorologist at the University of Leipzig and former IPCC lead author
Why this matters:
This finding highlights a complex trade-off in environmental policy: while cleaning up air pollution improves health outcomes, it can also accelerate global warming and exacerbate extreme weather events. Read more: A new monitor could revolutionize the way air pollution is regulated.
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Small island nations secure major climate ruling
Island nations in the Pacific, Caribbean, and West Indies have won a landmark international legal victory, pressuring large governments to reduce carbon emissions.
In short:
- The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled that countries must reduce greenhouse gas emissions, classifying them as marine pollution.
- This decision emphasizes that merely adhering to the Paris Agreement is insufficient for addressing climate change.
- The ruling reinforces the obligations of state parties to support climate adaptation for vulnerable developing nations.
Key quote:
"Today's judgment is a massive victory for our ocean, communities impacted by climate change, and science in general."
— Sarah Cooley, Ocean Conservancy
Why this matters:
This ruling bolsters efforts to hold major polluters accountable, highlighting the legal duty to combat climate change and protect vulnerable populations, particularly in small island nations facing severe climate impacts. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
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