Leslie F.

Fascinating--trusted partnerships as the most important tool! When we think of tools, we often think of remote sensing or AI. But not according to entrepreneurs and investors in the voluntary carbon market. See below!

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"The EPA rule relies on installation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) equipment for several categories of power plants, in spite of overwhelming evidence that CCS is expensive, energy intensive, and does not work as advertised. By requiring co-firing with gas for coal-fired plants retiring by 2039, the EPA is ignoring the growing scientific evidence of higher lifecycle emissions for gas than their models account for, because of higher rates of upstream methane leakage than is assumed in the models. For low and intermediate load gas turbine power plants, which include highly polluting peaker plants, the EPA is requiring only incremental improvements in efficiency and the use of lower-emitting fuels. This is not the kind of power plant regulation we need in 2024 to address the growing threat of climate catastrophe, and the ongoing crisis of toxic air in frontline communities.” https://lnkd.in/gpZCmKsj

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If you want to quickly get up to speed on all things CDR, I highly recommend the 2024 edition of the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report that was published earlier today. https://lnkd.in/ev9SC-p6 If you don't want to read all 222 pages, take a look at the launch webinar. https://lnkd.in/eCVQ3Ggy I still need to dive into the report, but here are my early takeaways. - With our slow emissions reductions, CDR is more important than ever - Novel CDR technologies are deploying at very low scale - Of the technologies that are deploying, biochar continues to be a major player - The MRV space is confusing -- there are 100+ overlapping protocols - While there have been policy improvements, we need more policies to generate demand I am also excited by some of the improvements from prior edition. - Updated data through the end of 2023 - New chapters on the voluntary carbon market (VCM) and monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) - More robust chapter on public awareness - Inclusion of a data portal to dive deeper into the various charts #stateofcdr #CDR #carbonremoval #biochar #climateaction #climatecareers

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How costly will it be to capture CO2? And how much warming would be averted if we did? CO2 Coalition Science and Research Associate runs the numbers. https://lnkd.in/dZvCct5s

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On Batteries application recycling is a fundemental topic. Technologies are going ahead much faster than normally espected. #batteries #electrification #recycling

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Value Model goal N1-C, 100% of plastics produced are reclaimed and recycled. Here, Value for nature is getting more legal support. https://lnkd.in/gFA54UmR

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🌊 innovative modeling approach to forecast #ENSO events up to 18 months ahead of time from researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa - School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Check the paper here below... 🌐 The implications of this research are far-reaching, offering prospects for more accurate and longer lead time ENSO predictions and global climate model improvements. the World Meteorological Organization supports research to understand climate pattern interactions and refine global climate models, paving the way for next-generation models that improve our approach to predicting and mitigating the effects of climate variability and change... check this page https://lnkd.in/ebnaEw5C

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"The answer is 'and' not 'or.'" -- Melissa Lott, #ColumbiaUniversity professor re the myriad issues surrounding the complicated and controversial practice of #carboncapture. #ClimateChange #ClimateImpacts #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSolutions #HealthImpacts #FossilFuels #GreenhouseGasEmissions #GreenhouseGases #GHGs #NetZero #California #KernCounty #Montana #ExxonMobil #RiskMitigation #OilAndGasCompanies #OilAndGasIndustry #Energy #Oil #Gas #Coal #Trees #NatureBased #HumanCaused #Renewables #RenewableEnergy #EPA #Regulations #AirQuality #CarbonEmissions #CO2 #Risks #Opportunities #SustainabilityMatters #Audio #Recording #RemakingAmerica #WAMU #1A #NationalPublicRadio #NPR

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🌎 California's second carbon market auction of the year has raised significant revenue at a critical time for climate funds! 💰🌿 The latest Western Climate Initiative auction results show continued demand for allowances and confidence in the program's stability. This auction is expected to generate approximately $1.1 Billion for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which funds initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience. 🌱🚉 📈 Key Highlights: - All 51,589,488 current vintage allowances were purchased, marking the 15th consecutive sold-out auction. - The current auction settled at $37.02, significantly above the $24.04 price floor. - All 7,211,000 future vintage allowances offered were sold, settling at $38.35. 💼🌟 Over the past decade, investments from the GGRF have reduced California's emissions by 109.2 million metric tons—equivalent to removing 80% of the state's gas cars from the road! These funds have supported zero-emissions transport, affordable housing, and other critical projects. 🔥 As California faces another summer with heightened wildfire risks and evident climate change impacts, the importance of the GGRF is clearer than ever. Despite the slight dip in settlement prices, strong demand continues, reflecting the market's stability. 🌿🌍 Let's continue to invest in a sustainable future and support initiatives that make a real difference! https://lnkd.in/grvTCJ-y #ClimateAction #Sustainability #GreenFuture #CaliforniaClimate #CarbonMarket

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The Environmental Protection Agency set national limits for forever chemicals in drinking water for the first time, a huge deal that could make communities across the country healthier. Forever chemicals, technically known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are nearly impossible to destroy. And they are associated with higher risks of cancer, thyroid diseases and other health problems. Yet PFAS have been widely used for decades, in items that include nonstick pans, firefighting foam, raincoats and textiles for couches and tablecloths. #foreverchemicals #drinkingwater #climateaction

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New EPA Rules: Shedding Light on the Impact on Low-Income Communities The recent EPA rules targeting pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants bring crucial environmental improvements, but they also ignore potential hardships for low-income individuals. These rules, while striving for cleaner air and water, may inadvertently burden disadvantaged communities with higher electricity costs. It's imperative to examine how such policies affect those already facing financial hardships, ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to cleaner energy. Let's illuminate the need for policies that prioritize equity and consider the economic well-being of all individuals, particularly those most vulnerable.

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Gearing up for another "taster" offering of Energy System Science and Practice, and also surfacing more data that align with the 10 metrics of "regenerative" health from a "flow network" perspective. Ensuring there are robust #flows of crucial resources (energy) to and through the collective body is foundational to regenerative #health. Here is evidence that we are NOT where we should be economically (and socially) in this respect: "Losing a job can be devastating for anyone, regardless of income level. But it can be especially turbulent for those already living paycheck to paycheck or without alternative sources of income. "Much of the displaced low-wage workforce was in an economically precarious position before the #pandemic. They earned average hourly wages of only $10.40 per hour, less than a third of the average hourly wage of the displaced mid/high-wage workforce ($33.80 per hour), and equal to only $22,000 annually if working full time. Some displaced low-wage workers may have been able to fall back on the income of other family members, but even before pandemic-induced job losses, about two in five were living below 200% of the poverty line, suggesting lean finances to begin with. "By contrast, only 7% of mid/high-wage workers lived below the 200% of the poverty line. (200% of the federal poverty level is equivalent to about $40,000 per year for a family of three in 2018 dollars.) More than one in four low-wage workers were receiving safety net benefits such as food assistance or Medicaid. "The demographic characteristics of the displaced low- and mid/high-wage workforce also reflect the fault lines in our #economy. The displaced low-wage workforce is far younger, more racially and ethnically diverse, and have completed less formal education than the displaced mid/high-wage workforce." More about low-wage workers and economic displacement here - https://lnkd.in/gEYtniq3

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The vast majority of the U.S. 🇺🇸 population is already facing an extreme #heatwave. Early July saw millions under heat warnings across the western U.S., while the East endured humid heat. California experienced over-100-degree days, drying out landscapes and fueling wildfires. Each of the past 13 months has been the hottest on record, with June setting a new high. The Copernicus ECMWF climate service reported that the average temperature for the past 12 months was at least 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average. The #ParisAgreement aims to keep global warming under 1.5°C, averaged over 30 years. So far, Earth has crossed this threshold for a single year, a worrying sign. Several countries have experienced record heat in 2024. Persistent heat in Mexico and Central America caused severe water shortages and deaths. Over 1,000 people died from heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan and India faced weeks of extreme heat, overwhelming hospitals and affecting millions. Greece, Japan, and other nations also suffered record-breaking temperatures, leading to numerous casualties and health alerts. #climatechange has made extreme #heat events more severe and frequent. Global temperatures have risen over 1.2°C since the industrial revolution, with rapid warming in the past 30 years. While this summer might be one of the hottest on record, it may also be one of the coolest in the future. Vulnerable populations, such as young children, older adults, and low-income communities, are at higher risk. Extreme heat can also disrupt economies, causing transit delays and power outages. Despite the daunting outlook, there are solutions. Shifting to heat pumps and renewable energy can reduce fossil fuel use and provide more affordable cooling. Rapid action to reduce emissions can prevent a warmer future with more severe heat waves and create numerous benefits, including job creation and improved public health. Humanity must act with urgency to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Reducing fossil fuel emissions now can help avoid catastrophic heat waves and droughts, protecting both people and the planet.

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The oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) is a major driver of PM associated health effects. In India, the emission sources defining PM-OP, and their local/regional nature, are yet to be established. Understanding the relative contributions of these sources to PM-OP and whether they are local or regional in nature is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the health effects associated with PM exposure in India. We along with our team team, in collaboration with national and international collaborator, addressed this gap by determining the geographical origin, sources of PM, and its OP at five Indo Gangetic Plain sites inside and outside Delhi. The study is published in Nature Communications, in its edition on 25th April 2024. The study can be accessed at https://lnkd.in/gsS5D8pi Their findings revealed that although uniformly high PM concentrations are recorded across the entire region, local emission sources and formation processes dominate PM pollution. Specifically, ammonium chloride, and organic aerosols (OA) from traffic exhaust, residential heating, and oxidation of unsaturated vapors from fossil fuels are the dominant PM sources inside Delhi. Ammonium sulfate and nitrate, and secondary OA from biomass burning vapors, are produced outside Delhi. Nevertheless, PM-OP is overwhelmingly driven by OA from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, including traffic. Thus, these findings suggest that addressing local inefficient combustion processes can effectively mitigate PM health exposure in northern India. Shilpa Shirodkar Dr. Trailokya Saud Deepika Bhattu Andre Prevot Neeraj Rastogi Himadri Bhowmik #humanhealth #airquality #airpollution #environment #India #Indogangeticplains #sustainability

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Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have reported that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increased at the fastest rate ever recorded in 2022. This alarming trend reflects the ongoing human impact on the planet's climate system. The data shows that CO2 concentrations rose by a staggering 2.5 parts per million last year, a rate not seen in the 64 years since direct measurements began at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii. This acceleration is a stark reminder of the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, this latest milestone underscores the critical importance of immediate, coordinated action to address the root causes and mitigate the catastrophic consequences we face. The surge in carbon dioxide levels can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the continued burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, ongoing deforestation and land-use changes, and the impacts of climate change, such as wildfires and droughts. As the world's reliance on fossil fuels persists, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere remains a significant driver of this concerning trend. Moreover, the transformation of natural landscapes through deforestation and other land-use alterations further contributes to the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Compounding these issues, the effects of climate change, like the intensification of wildfires and prolonged droughts, can also lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that exacerbates the problem. Addressing these multifaceted factors will be crucial in mitigating the surge in carbon dioxide levels and working towards a more sustainable future. The intensifying impacts of global warming pose grave threats to our planet's ecosystems, biodiversity, and the very well-being of humanity. As carbon dioxide levels surge at an unprecedented rate, the urgency for immediate and significant emissions reductions has never been more clear. Accelerated warming is already driving severe climate disasters, from extreme heatwaves and droughts to devastating floods and wildfires. These escalating threats demand swift, coordinated global action to transition away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable, clean energy solutions. Failure to act decisively will have catastrophic consequences, jeopardizing the future of our world and all who call it home. The time for bold, transformative change is now if we are to safeguard our planet and secure a livable future for generations to come.

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