[Aug 5-11'24] Great Barrier Reef gone this generation

2024 on track for hottest year, L.A's urban forests, stranded assets and massive disinformation campaigns.

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.

🙀 2024 on track to be the hottest year ever

😻 L.A’s urban forests

😼 Stranded assets and wasted money

💩 UN: “Fossil fuel industry conductive massive disinformation campaign”

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👩‍⚕️ Status: Climate & Science

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

[#wildfire] — Climate change has significantly intensified the 2024 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands, making them 40% more severe and four to five times more likely. The region experienced its hottest, driest, and windiest June on record, with fire conditions expected to worsen as global temperatures rise. The study indicates that without climate change, such extreme conditions would occur only once every 161 years, but with current warming, they happen once every 35 years, potentially doubling in frequency if temperatures reach 2C above pre-industrial levels. Human activity is the primary cause of these fires, which have devastating impacts on biodiversity and local communities.

[#heat] — 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, following the previous high in 2023, with July marking the second-warmest month recorded. Record temperatures have led to significant heat waves affecting millions, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Sea surface temperatures were also near record highs, contributing to the rapid intensification of hurricanes. La Niña conditions may lead to a more active hurricane season, while reductions in sea ice have further elevated surface air temperatures.

[#icefree] — Recent discoveries of fossilized plant and insect life in Greenland indicate that the region was ice-free at some point in the last 1.1 million years, suggesting significant implications for future climate change. With current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels at historic highs, the potential for rapid ice sheet melting raises concerns about sea level rise, which could reshape coastlines globally. The findings highlight the urgent need for further research and action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to prevent irreversible loss of the Greenland ice sheet.

[#methaneSAT] — The launch of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to detect methane emissions, marks a significant advancement in monitoring climate pollutants. With the ability to cover 80% of global oil and gas production areas, it aims to identify and address methane leaks, which have a warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide. The data generated will be publicly accessible, aiding regulators, environmental advocates, and fossil fuel companies in tracking emissions and enforcing compliance. However, the effectiveness of this initiative will depend on how the data is utilized and whether regulatory actions are taken against identified polluters.

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📰 The 7 Grand Challenges

⚡️Decarbonize Electricity

Clean electricity is the one do-or-die challenge we must solve.

[#geothermal] — Networked geothermal power has the potential to revolutionize urban heating and cooling by utilizing the Earth's stable temperatures. This system, exemplified by the first utility-operated geothermal neighborhood in Framingham, Massachusetts, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. With a high efficiency rating, geothermal systems can replace natural gas infrastructure, providing a sustainable alternative as utilities face pressure to decarbonize. Despite initial high installation costs, the technology promises long-term savings and environmental benefits as it matures.

[#communitysolar] — Residents of Molokaʻi, Hawaii, are pursuing energy sovereignty through community-driven solar initiatives, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The Molokaʻi Community Energy Resilience Action Plan aims to establish microgrids and a cooperative solar system, reducing reliance on expensive imported fuels and fostering local workforce development. This grassroots movement emphasizes self-determination and equity, allowing residents to shape their energy future while addressing historical injustices faced by Native Hawaiians.

[#chinacoal] — A report by Ember highlights that China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are significantly investing in low-carbon energy sources, marking a critical turning point in the decline of coal power. From 2000 to 2023, coal's share in electricity generation decreased from over 70% to below 60%, with SOEs now accounting for 40% of solar and 70% of wind capacity. However, the transition poses risks, particularly in coal-dependent regions, necessitating tailored diversification strategies to mitigate socio-economic impacts. The report advocates for a gradual, experimental approach to navigate the challenges of moving away from coal.

🏘 Reduce impact of urban and rural areas

Lowering the impact of urban and rural areas.