[Feb 12-18'24] Global support for climate action is underestimated

Amazon stress could lead to tipping point by 2050, new climate vulnerability index and oil industry deceived us on plastics recycling.

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

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

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‼️News you can’t miss

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

🙀 Amazon stress could lead to tipping point in 2050

😻 Global support for climate action is underestimated

😼 A new climate vulnerability index is out

💩 Oil industry deceived public on plastic recycling

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👩‍⚕️ Status: Climate & Science

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

[#greenland] — A new study reveals that previous research underestimated the ice loss of the Greenland Ice Sheet by about 20%. The study highlights the importance of technological advancements in accurately measuring ice loss at the edges of glaciers where they meet the sea. The research indicates that 1,000 gigatons of ice went unaccounted for in previous estimates, which could have unexpected impacts on sea level rise. The study also emphasizes the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence in analyzing larger data sets and improving simulations for better understanding of ice loss and its consequences.

[#tippingpoins] — This article discusses the concept of tipping points in complex environmental systems due to human activity. It highlights various examples such as melting glaciers, potential transformation of the Amazon rainforest, and the collapse of ocean currents. While there is no consensus on whether large-scale tipping points have been reached, these developments raise concerns about severe and irreversible changes. The article also mentions the possibility of positive tipping points, such as the decline in costs for renewable energy and changes in social norms.

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📰 The 7 Grand Challenges

⚡️Decarbonize Electricity

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

[#chinacoal] — China's continued construction of new coal plants seems contradictory to its goal of reducing coal emissions. However, data shows that while China is adding more coal plants, it is running them less often, resulting in a decrease in coal use. The capacity factor of China's coal plants has been dropping over the years, and many of these plants are operating at a financial loss. As China builds more solar and wind energy, coal will take on the role of "peaker plants." The overbuilding of coal plants in China can be attributed to factors such as energy security, decentralization of power plant approvals, and short-term economic growth goals. Improving grid flexibility and transmissions between provinces will be crucial in slowing down the coal-building spree. While it is uncertain if China's coal use has peaked, the trends suggest a shift towards low-carbon energy sources.