|
Climate Action
Network
Eastern Europe, Caucasus
and Central Asia
Digest
of news on climate
change, energy
issues
| | | |
|
Someone
forwarded this digest to you?
You can
subscribe using this
link
| |
| |
|
CAN EECCA and n-ost are
inviting you to the kick-off event for the new
communEECCAtors network. It is a professional
network for climate journalists and
communicators from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and
Central Asia. We invite specialists who work in
or write about EECCA region. See you on April
5th 2024. To apply, please, fill out the
application
form.
Massive
flooding has devastated several regions of
Kazakhstan, resembling scenes from a disaster
movie with villages destroyed and people seeking
refuge on rooftops as rescue efforts intensify.
The floods, triggered by spring runoff water
from melting ice and snow, have caused
widespread destruction including collapsed
bridges, submerged highways, and thousands of
homes rendered uninhabitable, leading to
casualties and significant evacuations. Despite
annual spring floods, authorities appear
ill-prepared, sparking criticism and even
protests over perceived negligence, highlighting
the ongoing struggle to manage water resources
effectively in the country.
Young
European Ambassadors (YEAs) from EuroClub Vayk
organized a hands-on environmental event on
March 23rd, focusing on assessing and improving
the health of the Arpa River in Armenia's Vayots
Dzor region. The activity, led by local YEAs,
aimed to raise awareness about river importance,
engage youth in environmental protection, and
enhance the local ecosystem's well-being through
water quality tests and a cleanup effort along
the riverbanks.
In
recent years, competition between the U.S. and
China for critical resources in Central Asia,
such as rare earth metals, has begun in an
effort to reduce dependence on Russia and China.
Kazakhstan stands out for its potential to
compete with China in mining these metals, which
has attracted the attention of the U.S. and the
European Union. The U.S. has stepped up to the
plate, holding meetings and discussions with
Central Asian countries to secure access to
these resources and reduce its dependence on
China.
While
Vanuatu and Ukraine are very different in their
geographic and demographic profiles, they are
united in the need to combat global challenges
such as climate change. Vanuatu, an island
nation in the Pacific Ocean, faces the threat of
climate disasters, while Ukraine, located in
Eastern Europe, is suffering from devastating
environmental impacts, including the Kakhovskaya
dam plum leak. Both countries are calling for
the criminalization of environmental crime
(ecocide) and believe that global change can
help protect ecosystems and ensure a sustainable
future.
The
2023/2024 heating season in Kyrgyzstan was
characterized by accidents at CHPPs, regular
power outages and increased electricity
consumption. The republic's plans include
reaching energy surplus and starting exports by
2026, while mining farms continue to operate
under deficit conditions. Preparations for the
next heating season will start earlier, with the
introduction of energy saving measures and
reconstruction of energy facilities.
Sany
Group Co. Ltd, a Chinese industrial and
construction company, is considering
establishing a new facility in Kazakhstan for
assembling wind turbine components, following
discussions between President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev and Sany's rotating chairman, Xiang
Wenbo. Kazakhstan aims to collaborate with the
Chinese investor on green energy projects,
including the manufacturing of machinery and
wind turbine components, and has proposed the
establishment of a regional R&D center to
support operations in the EEU market.
| | | |
|
Residents of La Oroya,
Peru, have won a significant victory from the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, holding
Peru responsible for harm caused by pollution
from a metallurgical facility. The court ruled
in favor of 80 individuals, attributing deaths
and illnesses to pollution from the La Oroya
Metallurgical Complex and ordering Peru to
provide free medical care and compensation
exceeding $30,000 per person. This landmark
decision, following a legal battle spanning over
two decades, sets a precedent for corporate
accountability in environmental cases and
underscores the global importance of protecting
the right to a healthy environment.
The
federal carbon tax continues to dominate
discussions, with provincial leaders often using
it as a scapegoat rather than addressing
pressing issues like the cost of living crisis
and climate change. Despite decades of debate
and analysis, progress in addressing climate
change has been slow, with political slogans
overshadowing substantive action. However,
recent efforts to highlight the benefits of
carbon pricing and challenge its critics signal
a shift in discourse, prompting reflection on
more effective approaches to addressing climate
change and aligning solutions with broader
societal needs and priorities.
IRENA
has launched the second edition of its NewGen
Renewable Energy Accelerator programme, aimed at
empowering youth to actively engage in the
energy transition by supporting youth-led
solutions in climate and sustainable energy
sectors. The programme offers training,
mentoring, and access to funding opportunities,
aiming to provide young entrepreneurs with the
tools and support needed to develop and
implement their ideas. Eligible candidates, aged
18 to 35, can apply with start-ups or businesses
focusing on renewable energy, climate
adaptation, or climate mitigation technologies,
with at least two founders committing time to
attend accelerator sessions.
Slovakia
has accelerated its coal phaseout, shutting down
its last coal-fired power plant this week and
aiming to be coal-free by mid-2024, relying
instead on nuclear and renewable energy sources.
The Vojany power station, operational since
1966, ceased production as the country
transitions away from coal due to economic
challenges and the unreliable supply of
alternative fuels. Slovenské elektrárne, the
plant's owner, plans to repurpose the site for
sustainable initiatives such as solar parks or
battery storage, aiming to mitigate
environmental risks associated with its
closure.
A
study has found that planting trees in
inappropriate locations can lead to an increase
in the warming of the planet, despite it often
being seen as a method of combating climate
change. In some cases, an excess of trees in one
area can lead to a reduction in the reflection
of sunlight, which increases heat absorption.
However, the use of new maps can help identify
the best places to plant trees to maximize their
positive impact on the climate.
| |
| |
|
This
email has been sent to you, because you are a
subscriber of CANEECCA
| | |
Sent: Monday,
April 01, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN
EECCA Newsletter: Kick-off of communEECCAtors network, floods
in Kazakhstan and historic win for healthy environment
| |
|
