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The
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has
released its monthly climate bulletin,
showcasing global surface air temperature, sea
ice cover, and hydrological changes. The report
highlights the boreal summer of 2023, which was
the warmest on record globally, with an average
temperature of 16.77°C, 0.66°C above average.
Additionally, the summer of 2023 witnessed
record-breaking high sea surface temperature
anomalies in the North Atlantic and globally,
along with marine heatwaves in various European
areas and above-average precipitation in parts
of Europe, Türkiye, North America, Asia, Chile,
Brazil, and northwestern Australia, while other
regions experienced drier conditions leading to
wildfires.
G20
leaders have agreed to triple renewable energy
capacity by 2030, a vital step in limiting
global warming. However, they failed to commit
to phasing out fossil fuels, a significant
setback for climate goals. The agreement also
includes support for controversial carbon
capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The
focus now shifts to the Dubai Cop28 summit for
further fossil fuel discussions. Additionally,
G20 leaders called for a major increase in
climate finance, aiming to move from billions to
trillions of dollars globally, partly through
multilateral development bank reforms freeing up
$200 billion over the next decade.
The
world's largest wind turbine, the Goldwind
GWH252-16MW, set a new record for single-day
power generation by producing 384.1 megawatt
hours (MWh) in 24 hours off the coast of Fujian
Province, China, during a typhoon on September
1st. This massive turbine, with a 252-meter
diameter, can power approximately 170,000 homes,
38 million LEDs, or cover 2.2 million kilometers
driven in an electric car. It surpasses the
previous record of 364 MWh set in Denmark in
August and showcases China's leadership in wind
power, with the country accounting for a
significant portion of global offshore wind
capacity and planning to build the world's
largest wind farm, although concerns about its
coal projects and distant net-zero target
remain.
The
Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) highlights that
air pollution is the most significant global
threat to human health, with the World Health
Organization's 2021 guidelines revealing that
99% of the world's population is breathing
unhealthy air. Despite the well-documented
health risks, many governments and companies
contributing to air pollution are failing to
take sufficient action. As a result, a global
movement advocating for clean air and local
solutions, such as air quality monitoring,
sustainable public transportation, and cleaner
energy sources, is gaining momentum, with
champions emerging to inspire and empower
communities in the fight against air
pollution.
Environmental
NGOs and activists are pushing for the inclusion
of "ecocide" as a recognized crime within the
jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court
(ICC) in response to the environmental
destruction resulting from conflicts like
Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While the Rome
Statute currently governs the ICC's activities
and includes crimes like genocide and crimes
against humanity, it does not specifically
address ecocide. Proposed definitions of ecocide
focus on intentional acts leading to severe and
widespread environmental damage, potentially
holding corporations accountable for large-scale
environmental harm, and various countries have
already recognized ecocide at the national
level. Efforts to include ecocide as a
recognized international crime have been ongoing
since the 1970s and gained momentum in recent
years, with support from organizations,
governments, and legal experts.
Morocco
was hit by a magnitude 3.9 aftershock following
the country's deadliest earthquake in over a
century, with more than 2,000 people confirmed
dead and the toll expected to rise. The United
Nations estimated that 300,000 people were
affected by the magnitude 6.8 quake, and
international aid crews were ready to deploy but
awaited the Moroccan government's request for
assistance. Many people left homeless or fearing
aftershocks slept outside in the streets or
makeshift canopies in the affected areas, which
are challenging to reach due to the mountainous
terrain.
African
political and business leaders have adopted the
Nairobi Declaration, aiming to address climate
challenges in Africa. The declaration, proposed
at a major climate summit in Nairobi, Kenya,
calls for new global taxes and reforms to
international financial institutions to support
climate change initiatives. The summit focused
on financing strategies for dealing with extreme
weather events, conserving natural resources,
and developing renewable energy in Africa,
emphasizing the continent's potential to become
a renewable energy superpower and highlighting
the urgent need for rich nations to fulfill
their climate pledges to support vulnerable
countries like those in Africa.
The
Global Stocktake, described as a "first official
report card" on the Paris Climate Agreement, has
revealed that despite some progress, the world
is not on track to meet the long-term goals of
the agreement. The report calls for a "radical
decarbonization of all sectors of the economy"
and emphasizes the need for deep and rapid
shifts in industry, transport, buildings, and
other sectors to reduce emissions and limit
global warming. It also highlights the
importance of involving whole societies, not
just national governments, in the transition to
a low-carbon future.
Dutch
police reported that over 500 climate activists
were arrested on the second consecutive day of
protests against government subsidies for the
fossil fuel industry. Demonstrators marched on
the A12 highway leading to The Hague, ignoring
warnings not to block the major traffic artery.
The previous day, approximately 2,400 protesters
were detained as around 10,000 activists blocked
the same highway for several hours in a similar
demonstration.
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