[Apr 8-13'25] 🔥 Heat Waves and more Trump Cuts

Climate Crisis Intensifies as Human Heat Limits Revealed

Welcome to this week's edition of The Weekly Climate 🎉

References: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5] and [6].

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‼️News you can’t miss

Here's one important scary/bad (🙀), good (😻), interesting (😼) and fossil (💩) news item.

🙀 [#Climate research cuts]: The Trump administration proposes significant budget cuts to NOAA, eliminating its research division and reducing funding for climate-related programs. This could severely impact weather forecasting and scientific research capabilities.

😻 [#Home electrification model]: A Massachusetts pilot program provides subsidized solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries to make clean energy accessible to low-income households. The successful initiative reduces energy costs while serving as a potential model for nationwide efforts.

😼 [#Carbon debt framework]: A new "net-zero carbon debt" measure reveals North America and Western Europe will accrue climate overshoot debt by 2030, while sub-Saharan Africa may not until later this century. This highlights the need for policies addressing historical emissions contributions and the disproportionate burden on younger generations.

💩 [#Coal revival attempt]: Trump signed executive orders supporting the coal industry by lifting regulations and targeting states addressing climate change. Experts doubt these measures will significantly revive the industry as coal's decline is primarily due to cheaper natural gas.

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👩‍⚕️ Status: Climate & Science

Let's look at how we're doing this week!

[#Climate research cuts]: The Trump administration proposes significant budget cuts to NOAA, eliminating its research division and reducing funding for climate-related programs, which could severely impact weather forecasting and scientific research capabilities.

[#Extreme precipitation]: Recent severe storms in the U.S. are linked to climate change, leading to increased rainfall and flooding. Warming air holds more moisture, resulting in intense precipitation events, particularly in the eastern states, while the West experiences decreased rainfall. Experts warn that these extreme weather patterns may become more common.

[#Carbon debt framework]: As global warming approaches the 1.5C limit, a new measure called "net-zero carbon debt" assesses regional responsibilities for climate overshoot, revealing that regions like North America and Western Europe will accrue debt by 2030, while sub-Saharan Africa may not until later this century. This highlights the need for policies that minimize temperature overshoot and address historical emissions contributions. Younger generations will face increased climate impacts and responsibilities to reduce emissions and remove CO2.

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📰 The 7 Grand Challenges

🏘 Reduce impact of urban and rural areas

Lowering the impact of urban and rural areas.

[#Heat pump adoption barriers]: Gas boiler installations in the UK outnumbered heat pumps by 15 to 1 last year, with only 100,000 heat pumps fitted. Poorer households face barriers due to inadequate grants, and heat pumps are more expensive to run. To meet net zero targets, 450,000 households need heat pumps annually by 2030, necessitating reforms in subsidy systems and regulations to support low-income families.

[#Home electrification model]: A pilot program in Massachusetts aims to electrify homes by providing subsidized solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries, making clean energy accessible to low- and moderate-income households. The initiative seeks to reduce energy costs and emissions while serving as a model for similar efforts nationwide. Challenges faced include homeowner resistance to removing fossil fuel systems and logistical barriers, but feedback has been positive, highlighting the program's comprehensive approach.

🛁 Clean non-electrifiable activities

Some activities we do today can't be electrified, these must be cleaned some other way.

[#Shipping emissions pricing]: Countries have agreed to a new pact requiring ships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or pay a fee, marking the first global price on shipping emissions. The agreement aims to raise $11-$13 billion annually to support cleaner fuels, despite objections from some nations. It will take effect in 2028, pending further approval.

🌳 Protect and grow nature

Nature is our ally, we must protect it and help it help us.