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Climate
Change and Energy
News:
Weekly Digest by CAN
EECCA
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Dear
subscribers,
In this issue: how
climate change is affecting children’s health in
Tajikistan and river levels in Belarus. In the
spotlight — a stalled energy transition, mass
seal deaths in the Caspian Sea, and a hydrogen
sulfide release in Uzbekistan. On the global
agenda — the Trump administration’s suppression
of climate reports, “blood timber” from
Colombia, and a growing crisis in the aviation
industry. Plus — a selection of current
opportunities for activists, researchers, and
NGOs.
We’re always open to
hearing your thoughts, ideas, or stories — don’t
hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
The
CAN EECCA Team
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News
from the EECCA Region
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According to
projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), if the average global
temperature rises by 1.5°C by the year 2100,
today’s children will face extreme weather
events almost four times more often. If the
temperature rises by 3°C, these events will
occur five times more frequently, significantly
affecting the lives of the younger
generation.
A report titled
Energy
Transition Assessment: Georgia highlights the
country's significant untapped potential in wind
and solar energy. Although Georgia’s hydropower
potential is estimated at 15 gigawatts (GW),
only a quarter has been developed. The
assessment also identified around 4 GW of wind
and 4.5 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity that
remains unused.
Despite the
government’s goals to increase the share of
renewable energy, Armenia’s power grid remains
unprepared for rapid expansion. Authorities have
done little to encourage households to switch
from fossil fuels to electric heating, slowing
the country's energy transition.
What do
snowless winters mean for Belarus?
Due
to a lack of snowfall, Belarusian rivers are
drying up. Year after year, water levels in
lakes and rivers are dropping significantly. In
the Rechytsa and Loyew regions, the Dnipro River
can now be crossed on foot. This winter, dams in
the Brest region remained closed — without snow,
there is no spring floodwater. The only visible
benefit is that floodwaters no longer inundate
settlements. However, ecologically, this is a
dangerous trend that could have severe
consequences for everyone.
On
May 5, 2025, a high-pressure gas blowout
containing hydrogen sulfide occurred at Well No.
202 of the Mustaqillik-25 gas field in
Surkhandarya region. Gas gushing resumed,
prompting a controlled burn-off to prevent
further spread. The area remains under 24/7
monitoring by the Ministry of Emergency
Situations, the industrial safety agency
Sanoatkontikhnazorat, and a militarized gas
safety unit.
According to
preliminary estimates, the animals died two to
three weeks ago. However, a full examination is
impossible — the carcasses are too decomposed
for proper sampling. This marks the second mass
seal die-off reported this year. Previously,
dozens of dead seals were found washed ashore in
the Mangystau region. Environmentalists are
increasingly alarmed by the mammals’
behavior.
The
company ADOG and the international port of Zira
have proposed the construction of an underground
tunnel linking the Caspian and Black Seas. The
project envisions a 10-meter diameter tunnel
that would pass through Georgia or Russia.
Thanks to the natural elevation difference,
water could flow into the Caspian without pumps.
Proponents say this could help stabilize the
sea’s declining water levels, which pose
increasing risks to local economies, ecosystems,
and infrastructure.
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World
Climate and Energy News
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Every four years, the
US government is supposed to release a report on
how climate change is affecting the nation, to
guide communities and companies on how to
address and adapt to a warming planet. But the
sixth edition of the National Climate Assessment
— already in the works for months — was gutted
earlier this week, when US President Donald
Trump’s administration dismissed hundreds of
scientists helping with it. Some researchers aren’t
giving up, however. They are wondering whether
they could publish it anyway, through
independent channels.
Trade in uncertified
hardwood illegally logged in Chocó rainforest
and imported by US and Europe is financing
paramilitaries, says Environmental Investigation
Agency The Atrato River winds through the dense
rainforest of Colombia’s Chocó region for nearly
400 miles (600km) before spilling into the
Caribbean Sea. Some of these tropical forests
are among the wettest on Earth. Their flooded
lowlands and swollen rivers are so impenetrable
they have acted as an evolutionary barrier,
making Chocó a haven for rare and remarkable
species found nowhere else on the
planet.
Professionals call for
a fundamental transition including controlling
flight numbers The aviation industry is “failing
dramatically” in its efforts to tackle its role
in the climate crisis, according to a newly
formed group of aviation professionals. They say
they are torn between their passion for flying
and their concern for the planet and are calling
for a fundamental transition of the industry,
including controlling flight numbers.
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This
4-day intensive programme by n-ost will bring
together climate journalists from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine,
and EU countries. Through a mix of expert-led
sessions, co-creation formats, and field visits,
participants will explore pressing issues at the
intersection of climate change, energy, and
policy in the Eastern Partnership
region.
Want to show the world
the beauty of nature and the importance of
protecting it? The Festival Internacional
de Imagem de Natureza (FIIN) in Vila Real,
Portugal, has opened submissions for its 2025
short film contest! The competition focuses on
promoting natural heritage — ecosystems, natural
regions, and wild fauna and flora — through
film.
Accepted formats
include: documentary, animation, fiction,
experimental films, or music videos in digital
format.
Open to all —
professionals, amateurs, students, and
enthusiasts from around the world!
Deadline:
June 20, 2025
Theme for 2025–2026:
Catalyzing
Healthy Cities
As more than half the
global population now lives in cities, ensuring
urban health is key to quality of life and
sustainable development. The WRI Ross Center
Prize for Cities welcomes projects that enhance
urban environments, accessibility, and community
well-being.
Who can
apply:
- Government and
municipal authorities
- NGOs and community
organizations
- Businesses and
startups
- Coalitions and
individuals
Deadline: May 28,
2025
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From: CAN EECCA <dig...@caneecca.org>Date:
ср, 7 мая 2025 г. в 17:00 Subject: 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter: Mass Seal
Deaths in the Caspian and a Stalled Energy
Transition |
