Climate Weekly

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February 8 - February 14, 2023

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.

Dear readers,

This week, we published new analysis on the trends towards trade protectionism among developed countries like the US and EU in the name of climate action, and what this could mean for the green transition in developing countries. We will host an online discussion on the issue on 24 February, 2023 with a diverse list of experts.

A new study states that 3 million Indians live in areas that can be swept by glacial lake floods in the Himalayan regions.

Researchers at the Potsdam Institute state that getting rid of coal power will make prices fall and demand rise elsewhere, reducing chances of actually ending coal use by 2050.

According to WHO, climate change may worsen the cholera crisis in Africa through extreme weather events like major floods and even droughts.

Climate change-related lightning strikes could spike wildfire risk globally.

For the waste sector in India, CSE’s roadmap can address the challenges faced by bio-CNG; CSE worked closely with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and identified the opportunities that can be tapped to realise the potential of organic waste in the country.

We will be hosting a discussion on repowering wind energy in Tamil Nadu on 24 February – you can register here.

EXTREME WEATHER TRACKER

Climate change may worsen cholera crisis in Africa: WHO, 10 February 2023 Read More

Floods, tornadoes, landslides: This January was the 6th-warmest on record for United States, 09 February 2023

Himalayan plunder: 3 million Indians live in areas that can be swept by glacial lake floods, says study, 09 February 2023

Three of the world’s most dangerous glacial basins are situated in Pakistan, Peru and Bolivia

COMMENTARIES

A new order of trade:

The global superpowers are abandoning free trade to fight climate change. Armed with massive subsidies and tariffs, the US and EU are leading this charge towards protectionism. This may change the global trade system as we know it. But will developing countries and the climate gain from it? February, 2023

DOWNLOAD THE STORY

Biogas digestate: This high-value byproduct deserves more attention, 13 February 2023

Digestate is underutilised due to lack of regulatory guidelines, absence of fixed procurement prices and poor marketability by fertiliser companies

Can India’s G20 Presidency tackle climate change while ensuring energy access, security &transition?, 10 February 2023

The G20 Presidency can also help India fulfill OSOWOG mandate & SDG 7 goal

GOBAR-Dhan: CSE’s roadmap can address the challenges faced by Bio-CNG in India, 09 February 2023

CSE worked closely with the Ministry of Jal Shakti & identified the opportunities that can be tapped to realise the potential of organic waste in the country

CLIMATE NEWS | SCIENCE| IMPACTS| POLITICS

How much do industrial aerosols contribute to global cooling? New study offers clues, 14 February 2023

A higher abundance of sulphate aerosols in the preindustrial atmosphere means anthropogenic sulphate has a relatively small cooling effect

Cyclone Gabrielle: how microgrids could help keep the power on during extreme weather events, 14 February 2023

Microgrids are self-sufficient and can operate independently or in conjunction with the larger grid. They can run on different types of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hydro power

Himalayan plunder: Ecology changing for the worse due to loss of forest cover, drying springs, 14 February 2023

States in the northeastern region faring the worst

Climate change-related lightning strikes to spike wildfire risk globally: Study, 14 February 2023

Analysis finds over 40% increase in lightning; global occurrences to go up over land and oceanic region of Southeastern Asia

COP27 impact: What does the loss and damage fund mean for Majuli’sSalmorapotters?, 13 February 2023

Riverbank erosion due to climate change and government measures to deal with it are both affecting the Assam community

As a heatwavespectre hangs again over India’s wheat harvest, its home-grown crop simulation model can help, 13 February 2023

InfoCrop, available for free on IARI’s website, can forecast climate impact on farm yield in real time

Earth sciences ministry made progress but has been ‘sluggish’ on a few counts: Parliamentary report, 10 February 2023

Ministry has had a few misses in establishing District Agro-meteorological Field Units, which are responsible for preparing and disseminating agro-met advisories

Can clouds of Moon dust combat climate change?, 10 February 2023

However, tinkering with the atmosphere is likely to affect rainfall and drought patterns and may have other unintended consequences, such as damage to the ozone layer

Global Kelp forests declining at 1.8% annually; indigenous knowledge can help, say experts, 09 February 2023

Kelps are increasingly threatened by climate change, eutrophication and shoreline development, among other human-induced stressors

The coal whack-a-mole: Getting rid of coal power will make prices fall and demand rise elsewhere, 09 February 2023

Potsdam Institute experts this week published research suggesting we have less than 5% chance of actually ending coal use by 2050

Poor of a country emit less, lose more: New paper calls for progressive taxes for ‘polluting elites’, 08 February 2023

This report, for the first time, has stressed on the differing responsibilities of individuals and not just countries

Climate-smart marine protected areas can shield biota from global warming: Experts, 08 February 2023

Most current MPAs are located in coastal areas, while only 1.2 per cent of the high seas are protected

GOBAR-Dhan: Scheme announced in budget a welcome step, but challenges ahead, 08 February 2023

Biogas can be purified and upgraded up to 98 per cent of purity to make it suitable to be used as a green fuel for transportation or filling of cylinders

Webinar

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 vikas@cseindia.org

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