ipcc
Oil companies pushed ineffective carbon capture while reaping tax benefits
A congressional investigation found that oil companies misled the public about the effectiveness of carbon capture technology while benefiting from substantial tax credits.
In short:
- The fossil fuel industry promoted carbon capture as a key solution to climate change despite knowing its limited effectiveness.
- Internal documents revealed ExxonMobil and other companies were aware that carbon capture technology could only minimally reduce emissions.
- The industry lobbied for and profited from increased tax credits for carbon capture, despite minimal environmental benefits.
Key quote:
“What the IPCC actually said in its mitigation report was that carbon capture might be necessary for hard-to-abate industries, but that it’s one of the most expensive options and it only equates to small emissions reductions.”
— Paul Blackburn, an environmental lawyer and advisor to the Bold Alliance
Why this matters:
The promotion of carbon capture as a viable climate solution diverts attention and resources from more effective strategies like renewable energy. Taxpayer money is being used to fund these technologies, which may not significantly reduce overall carbon emissions.
World on brink of surpassing critical climate threshold, UN warns
The United Nations cautions that imminent climate targets may be breached, with global temperatures predicted to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, urging immediate action to mitigate severe future impacts.
In short:
- A survey revealed that nearly 80% of top IPCC scientists anticipate a temperature rise above catastrophic levels.
- The urgency for action is echoed by climate leaders, emphasizing the narrow window to adhere to the 1.5C goal.
- Stakeholders express frustration over the disconnect between scientific warnings and political, economic actions.
Key quote:
"The science is clear and so are the world’s scientists: the stakes for all humanity could not be higher."
— Official spokesperson for António Guterres, UN Secretary General
Why this matters:
This expected increase in temperatures isn't just a matter of hotter days; it encompasses a cascade of effects that could severely disrupt ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods. Rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events like hurricanes and droughts, and significant impacts on biodiversity are just a few of the potential consequences. These changes threaten to overwhelm natural and human systems, which are already struggling to cope with current climate variability.
France used 10% less electricity last winter; 3 lessons to fight climate change
How climate change affects health in Africa
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, tens of millions of Africans are already feeling the negative health impacts of climate change, in the form of heat stress, extreme weather and increased transmission of infectious disease.
The science we need to assess marine carbon dioxide removal
With climate panel as a beacon, global group takes on misinformation
How will climate change affect Latin America? Scientists respond to IPCC report
In the first three months of 2023, Latin America has witnessed a prolonged drought and destructive forest fires in Chile, intense rains and floods in Brazil that left more than 60 dead and Cyclone Yaku and heavy rains and mudslides in Peru, among other extreme events that experts say are becoming more frequent and severe due to global warming.
