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Climate Action
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Eastern Europe, Caucasus
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Georgia's
president has vetoed a controversial "foreign
agent" law, denouncing it as fundamentally
Russian and a hindrance to the country's EU
membership aspirations. The law, passed by MPs
on Tuesday, requires NGOs and media funded by
foreign donors to register as organizations
representing foreign interests. Despite the
symbolic veto, the ruling Georgian Dream party
can override it with another parliamentary vote,
sparking concerns that the law may threaten the
country's path to EU membership amidst ongoing
mass protests against it.
The UK
and Ukraine have initiated Innovate Ukraine, a
program backing 13 green energy initiatives to
transform Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and
promote post-war recovery. With collaboration
from over 50 UK and Ukrainian organizations, the
program aims to displace fossil fuels and
attract £5m in private sector co-investment.
Ukrainian Minister of Energy, Herman
Halushchenko, emphasized the importance of
energy independence and green transition,
foreseeing significant cooperation between the
two nations in the energy sector's
future.
Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are collaborating on
a green energy plan to link their power grids
and export electricity to the European Union,
primarily using wind and solar power. The
countries have signed a memorandum of
understanding to explore joint electricity
export potential, with plans including the
construction of a high-voltage cable across the
Caspian Sea. Uzbekistan aims to significantly
increase its renewable energy capacity by 2030,
while Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will facilitate
the power export arrangement, contributing to
regional economic integration and trade
initiatives.
Youth
aged 18-25 from South Caucasus and Central Asia
are invited to apply for the UNAOC Young
Peacebuilders programme to address violent
extremism by fostering inclusive societies.
Participants will engage in intercultural
learning and improve their peace-promoting
actions, with the opportunity to be part of a
fully funded programme taking place in
2024-2025. Eligible applicants must be born
between September 1999 and September 2006, and
the application deadline is July 31,
2024.
The
FES Regional Office “Dialogue Eastern Europe”
invites young professionals from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine,
and Germany to participate in the Eastern
European Academy for Social Democracy in
Brussels from July 8-12, 2024. This event will
provide insights into the complexities and
implications of EU enlargement, including the
challenges and opportunities it presents amid
regional security concerns and the rise of
totalitarian regimes. Participants will engage
in collaborative projects, visit EU
institutions, and gain firsthand knowledge from
experts, while also having numerous networking
opportunities.
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The
EU's promotion of hydrogen as a clean energy
solution risks extending fossil fuel dependence
and deepening extractive practices. Despite the
hype, 99% of global hydrogen is produced from
fossil fuels, contributing significantly to CO2
emissions, while green hydrogen remains a
minuscule part of production due to its high
demands on resources. Even "blue" hydrogen,
touted as low-emission, has a substantial
climate footprint due to limited CO2 capture and
additional methane emissions, making it less
climate-friendly than claimed.
Fossil
fuel companies often resort to familiar,
misleading arguments when confronted with the
damaging effects of their operations. These
include blaming consumer demand, promoting gas
as a transitional energy, and justifying slow
transitions away from fossil fuels. Despite
claims of investing in renewables and
contributing to economies, their actions
perpetuate environmental harm and social
injustices, particularly in developing
countries. It's time to challenge these
falsehoods and hold fossil fuel companies
accountable for their role in exacerbating the
climate crisis and perpetuating neocolonial
practices.
Greenpeace
Brazil is responding swiftly to the devastating
floods in Rio Grande do Sul, providing aid to
affected communities and demanding urgent
climate action to prevent future tragedies. With
the death toll surpassing a hundred and
thousands displaced, the emergency response is
urgent and essential. Greenpeace Brazil is
mobilizing resources, including setting up
solidarity kitchens and distributing essential
supplies, to support those affected by the
floods, emphasizing the importance of solidarity
and long-term support.
Warming
ocean waters could enable jellyfish to expand
their habitats towards the poles, benefiting
from climate change while many marine animals
suffer. Research from Germany's Alfred Wegener
Institute predicts that seven out of eight
Arctic jellyfish species could extend their
range by the century's second half, with the
lion’s mane jellyfish potentially tripling its
habitat. This shift could significantly impact
the marine food web, as jellyfish compete with
fish for resources and prey on fish larvae and
eggs, potentially hindering fish population
recovery.
Tsitsiri
Samaniego, leader of an Indigenous Ashaninka
village in Peru, observes distressing signs of
environmental degradation in his ancestral
homeland, with deforestation, river
contamination, and crop blight threatening his
people's way of life. Seeking guidance from his
ancestors, he visits his grandfather's grave,
finding solace and strength in the spiritual
connection to his heritage. Faced with the harsh
realities of development and climate change,
Samaniego contemplates migration as a last
resort, highlighting the plight of Indigenous
communities globally grappling with the impacts
of environmental degradation and climate
variability.
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Sent: Monday, May
20, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Veto on the ‘foreign agent’, Ukraine green energy and
hydrogen truth
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