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Climate Action
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Eastern Europe, Caucasus
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The
guardians of Lake Kumisi, represented by the
movement "Akhali Kumisi - Eco-Village in
Georgia", are fighting for its preservation, but
the inaction of state authorities threatens both
the biodiversity of the lake and the future of
the village. The population of Novy Kumisi seeks
help from the regional office of the Department
of Environmental Supervision, demanding
solutions to the problems of lowering the water
level and pollution of the lake. In parallel,
the residents face the problem of drinking
water, but the state's efforts in the direction
of eliminating the problems prove
insufficient.
Over the past 70 years,
glacier area in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16%,
which threatens food security at both regional
and local levels. Lack of irrigation water leads
to a significant reduction in agricultural
yields, resulting in the loss of up to 250
thousand tons of grain per year. Shrinking
glaciers threaten drought in the region, and
reconstruction of the irrigation system becomes
a necessary measure to combat water losses and
ensure food security.
The
problem of agricultural land degradation in
agrarian areas of Tajikistan is becoming more
and more acute, leading to negative consequences
for the environment. In Khatlon region, dozens
of hectares of land have fallen out of
agricultural use due to salinization,
desiccation and lack of irrigation water.
Farmers are experiencing serious losses due to
their inability to grow crops, and experts
attribute the degradation of agricultural land
to climate change and improper irrigation
methods.
The
National Environmental Protection Agency is
trying to avoid responsibility for the Chauvy
tragedy by hiding important data and
assessments. The agency's report does not
mention Swiss experts' assessments of an alarm
system capable of preventing the disaster, as
well as recent events in Kazbegi, where the
alarm system is already in operation. The
contradictions in the conclusions and the lack
of answers to important questions have drawn
criticism from the public and the
media.
In
2022, the World Bank emphasized the
unsustainability of the traditional linear
economy, which leads to resource overconsumption
and pollution. According to the data, modern
lifestyles require 60% more resources than the
Earth can provide. The circular economy, on the
contrary, proposes to use resources more
efficiently, reducing waste and greenhouse gas
emissions. In Belarus, there is also interest in
the transition to the circular economy, but lack
of awareness, technology and information about
opportunities may be obstacles.
A
study focusing on Kazakhstan's energy potential
highlights its capacity for expanding solar and
wind energy due to its vast territory. By
mid-2023, the country had reached a 5% share of
variable renewable generation (vRES) in its
energy mix, aiming to increase this to 15% by
2030, with possibilities for even higher shares.
The research emphasizes pathways to achieve
these goals, minimizing costs, ensuring security
of supply, and transitioning away from
carbon-intensive coal-fired power generation,
thereby contributing significantly to
Kazakhstan's climate objectives. Additionally,
the study underscores the broader benefits and
opportunities for the energy sector and economy
while addressing challenges such as grid
integration, transformation of combined heat and
power systems, and social implications of coal
usage.
The
Prague Civil Society Centre invites civil
society leaders, journalists and activists from
Central Asia and Eastern Europe to participate
in a three-month fellowship program in Prague.
Participants will be able to reboot, work on
their projects and exchange experiences. The
program provides support in the form of
transportation costs, health insurance,
accommodation and per diem, as well as visa
assistance. The deadline for applications is
March 25, 2024, and the programs will be held in
three time slots from 2024 to 2025.
On
March 1, Tajikistan experienced widespread
electricity outages lasting approximately three
hours, believed to be caused by a significant
technical malfunction. Dushanbe residents faced
disruptions in heating and hot water supply
during a period of unseasonably cold weather,
exacerbated by increased reliance on electric
heaters. The outage, possibly linked to an
incident at the Nurek hydroelectric power plant,
affected communication services and essential
utilities, highlighting the country's
vulnerability to power disruptions, although
some regions, like Bokhtar and the Pamirs,
remained unaffected.
Magzum Mirzagaliyev,
the chairman of KazMunayGas (KMG), discussed
plans to expand Kazakhstan's oil potential
through exploration of new fields, noting a low
exploration rate of just 24%. KMG is currently
focusing on exploration activities in various
regions, including seismic research and drilling
of exploration wells. Despite challenges such as
declining production in existing fields and
difficulties in offshore exploration, KMG
remains optimistic about future prospects and is
implementing strategies to boost production,
including rehabilitation projects and the
development of alternative energy sources like
wind and solar power.
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The
World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2023
(WNISR2023) offers a comprehensive analysis of
the global nuclear industry, covering
operational data, new construction, and Small
Modular Reactor (SMR) development. Special focus
chapters delve into nuclear economics, U.S.
policy, South Africa's struggling nuclear
program, Germany's phased-out fleet, France's
nuclear challenges, Russia's industry, and the
UK's operational and decommissioning issues.
Additionally, the report examines ongoing
challenges at Fukushima, decommissioning efforts
worldwide, and the growing disparity between
nuclear and renewable energy deployment, drawing
on contributions from interdisciplinary experts
and top institutions.
Colombia, once reliant
on oil exports, is transitioning towards
environmental leadership, as demonstrated by its
hosting of the upcoming United Nations
Biodiversity Conference in Cali. President
Gustavo Petro's administration is driving
initiatives to green the economy, including
halting new oil exploration contracts and
intensifying efforts to combat deforestation in
the Amazon. Colombia's proactive stance on
climate issues, such as joining calls for a
fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty, is
reshaping regional dynamics and positioning the
country as a key player in global environmental
diplomacy. However, challenges remain, including
potential economic repercussions and the need to
sustain efforts amid complex geopolitical and
domestic factors.
The
European Union has passed a groundbreaking
directive to criminalize severe environmental
damage, comparable to ecocide, with harsh
penalties including prison sentences for
individuals and significant fines for companies.
The directive aims to address the growing
environmental crimes in Europe, such as habitat
loss and illegal logging, and represents a
significant step towards environmental
protection and accountability. While hailed as
revolutionary, some experts believe that more
could have been done, highlighting the need for
continued vigilance and potential expansion of
the directive's scope beyond EU
borders.
During the sixth United
Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6),
climate-vulnerable states successfully blocked
efforts to legitimize solar geoengineering
technologies, a move welcomed by the Center for
International Environmental Law (CIEL).
Countries like Switzerland, Monaco, Georgia, and
Israel's attempts to establish an Expert
Scientific Group on solar geoengineering were
halted due to lack of consensus among Member
States. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and
Japan also faced strong opposition from African,
Pacific, and Latin American countries in their
attempts to undermine existing UN moratoria on
Solar Radiation Modification
(SRM).
Seventy years ago, the
Marshall Islands experienced the devastating
Castle Bravo nuclear test, resulting in
widespread radioactive contamination and lasting
health impacts on the local population. Despite
decades of suffering and displacement, the
victims have yet to receive full justice,
medical care, or reparations. The Marshall
Islands government continues to seek
compensation from the U.S., highlighting the
ongoing struggle for nuclear justice. Greenpeace
stands in solidarity with the affected
communities, advocating for accountability and
raising awareness about the lasting dangers of
nuclear testing.
The
worsening climate crisis, exemplified by events
like severe tropical cyclone Freddy, underscores
the urgency of addressing the triple planetary
crisis: climate change, pollution, and
biodiversity loss. Plastic production, fueled by
fossil fuels, exacerbates these crises by
emitting greenhouse gases and harming
communities, particularly in Africa, already
vulnerable to climate impacts. Despite the
health risks and environmental damage associated
with plastics, major corporations, supported by
oil-producing countries, hinder efforts to
address the issue.
Clean energy technology
played a crucial role in slowing the growth of
global carbon emissions in 2023, despite
increased energy demand, according to the
International Energy Agency (IEA). Without
advancements in clean energy, emissions over the
past five years would have been significantly
higher, emphasizing the importance of
transitioning away from fossil fuels. While
emissions still reached a record high in 2023,
the expansion of solar, wind, and nuclear power
contributed to a "structural slowdown" in
energy-related emissions, highlighting the
potential for a peak in carbon emissions as
clean energy adoption accelerates
globally.
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Sent: Monday, March 04,
2024 4:00 PM
Subject: 🌏CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Fight for Kumisi lake, nuclear struggles and Kazakhstan’s
plans on oil
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