Down to Earth
Climate Weekly
A weekly digest on impacts, politics and science of the climate emergency; from the Global South perspective. Access our extensive coverage on climate. You can find this newsletter in the web here.
August 27 – September 02, 2020
Dear readers,

The reality of climate change and its impacts was underlined yet again this week by new studies. Research led by the University of Leeds found that the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets were melting at rates which matched the “worst-case scenarios” of climate models; potentially exposing 16 million people to coastal flooding. Another study led by the same university predicted that climate change could transform the geography of malaria transmission in Africa.

Imaginative climate action offers hope. A new report by UNEP highlighted the oft-neglected importance of dietary change and reduction of food waste in mitigating emissions as well as in adapting to climate change. And local success stories of “going green” abound; Assam Don Bosco University’s campus for example has reduced its carbon footprint through agroforestry, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

However, such local initiatives are insufficient to brighten the somewhat bleak national picture of the state of renewable energy. The impressive growth in renewables over the last decade has been flagging due to a gamut of policy issues, and the country is not on track to achieve its ambitious target of 175 GW of installed renewables capacity by 2022. The shortfall in achieving that target is expected to be particularly substantial in the case of large-scale solar power projects, and our in-depth factsheet investigates the problems plaguing the sector.

But beyond the nitty gritty of targets and policy, humankind is faced with a larger philosophical question: Is it possible to have a planet that no longer uses fossil fuels, does not kill millions of farmed or wild animals, degrade wetlands, river or ocean, and wipe out hills and forests for industrialisation?
   
 
EXTREME WEATHER TRACKER
 
Antarctica, Greenland ice sheet melting matches worst-case climate change scenarios: Study| 01 September 2020
Down To Earth
 
   
 
Down To Earth Are hurricanes strengthening more rapidly?| 28 August 2020
 
   
 
COMMENTARIES
Savage sapiens, ravaged planet and COVID-19| 02 September 2020
It may be difficult to have a planet that no longer uses oil or coal, does not kill millions of farmed animals, degrade wetlands and rivers
 
     
 
Green campus done right: This Assam university sets an example| 27 August 2020
How Assam Don Bosco University weaves climate action, preservation of flora and fauna, management of water resources in its green initiatives
 
   
  CLIMATE NEWS | SCIENCE| IMPACTS| POLITICS  
   
 
Down To Earth
UN report flags changes in food system to boost climate action| 02 September 2020
Addding diet and food loss to climate change plans can improve mitigation and adaptation contributions towards food systems by as much as 25%
 
   
 
Down To Earth
‘Dead’ coral reefs as important as ‘live’ ones, shows new study| 02 September 2020
‘Dead’ coral reefs support ‘cryptic’ animals — including fishes, snails, tiny crabs and worms — who hide under this rubble to save themselves from predation
 
   
 
Down To Earth
Climate change can affect malaria transmission patterns in Africa: Study| 01 September 2020
Much of the subsequent increase in malaria transmission could be realised by 2041-2070, according to the study
 
   
 
Down To Earth
NASA maps trace causes of global mangrove habitat loss| 27 August 2020
While overall mangrove habitat loss declined between 2000 and 2016, losses from natural causes such as erosion and extreme weather declined more slowly than human causes
 
   
 
Factsheets
     
Down To Earth
ON THE TRACK: Is India on track to meet its Renewable Energy target of 175 GW by 2022
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Down To Earth
LARGE SCALE SOLAR: Is India on track to meet RE target of 175 GW by 2022          
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This Weekly Newsletter is published by Down to Earth and the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based global think tank advocating on global south developmment issues.
We would love your feedback on this newsletter. To speak to our experts for quotes and comments on the above stories. Please email to cns@cseindia.org
 
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