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California officials see new Mexican president as a strong ally in climate policy
California leaders welcome Claudia Sheinbaum's election as Mexico's new president, anticipating collaboration on climate change and clean energy initiatives.
In short:
- Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and engineer, is Mexico's newly elected president, offering potential for enhanced cross-border climate cooperation.
- California officials are optimistic about partnering with Sheinbaum on clean energy and environmental issues, given her background and commitment to renewable energy.
- The relationship between California and Mexico has been strong, with agreements in place to address climate challenges such as drought and transportation emissions.
Key quote:
“Having an engineer whose background is working on climate, it’s a big deal.”
— Eduardo Garcia, Assemblymember
Why this matters:
Sheinbaum’s presidency could strengthen California's climate efforts through joint projects, particularly in renewable energy and emissions reduction. Her scientific expertise and focus on sustainable development align with California's environmental priorities.
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Mexico elects climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum as president. How will she lead?
Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is a left-of-center climate scientist with a doctorate in energy engineering and a background in politics.
In short:
- Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City, is known for her environmental initiatives, such as electrifying public transport and installing solar arrays.
- Despite her commitment to renewable energy, Sheinbaum supports maintaining oil production and state control of Pemex, Mexico’s indebted national oil company.
- She faces significant challenges, including balancing environmental goals with economic demands and addressing issues of poverty, migration, and crime.
Key quote:
"Claudia is an environmental scientist and unlike her mentor, AMLO, believes in decarbonization and in boosting renewables."
— Shannon O’Neil, Mexico specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations
Why this matters:
Mexico's election of a climate scientist as president highlights a potential shift toward more sustainable energy policies.
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Indonesia's new president faces scrutiny over potential environmental impacts
Amid concerns of intensified deforestation, Prabowo Subianto's election as Indonesia's president raises environmental alarms as he proposes expanding nickel mining for economic growth.
In short:
- Prabowo Subianto, a former military figure, was elected with plans to boost economic growth through increased mining and industrial development, despite potential environmental costs.
- Indonesia, a major nickel producer for electric vehicle batteries, faces ecological threats as mining expands into rainforest areas.
- Environmentalists express concerns over Prabowo's historical environmental and human rights record, fearing increased deforestation and ecological degradation.
Key quote:
“By processing our natural resources domestically, I’m optimistic that we would be able to witness double-digit economic growth.”
— Prabowo Subianto, President-elect of Indonesia
Why this matters:
Prabowo’s push to expand nickel mining operations taps into global demand for clean energy technologies but raises serious environmental issues. The extraction and processing of nickel are energy-intensive and can lead to severe environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources with acids and metals. The ecological fallout could affect not only local biodiversity but also the livelihoods of communities dependent on natural resources.
As nations worldwide strive to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, they find themselves grappling with how to avoid repeating the mistakes of 150 years of fossil fuel production.
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Election rematch could shape US science policy for years
The upcoming election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden could drastically alter the future of environmental, public health, and international scientific collaboration policies.
Jeff Tollefson, Natasha Gilbert, Max Kozlov, and Mariana Lenharo report for Nature.
In short:
- Trump and Biden offer starkly different visions for climate change action, with Trump aiming to roll back environmental regulations and Biden pushing for clean-energy innovation.
- Public health funding and policy approaches also divide the candidates, with Biden supporting increased funding for health research and Trump's history of attempting to cut it.
- Immigration and international collaboration could see changes, impacting scientists and research globally, with each candidate's policy having significant implications.
Key quote:
“It’s a trope to say that every election is critical, but this election is particularly stark in the two paths that it presents for the United States.”
— Alexander Barron, environmental scientist at Smith College
Why this matters:
This election's outcome could significantly influence the United States' approach to critical issues like climate change, public health, and international scientific collaboration. The direction taken not only affects the nation's health outcomes but also its position on the global stage in tackling some of today's most pressing challenges.
Opinion: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s climate change playbook — deny the science, take the funding.
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Cornel West's presidential ambitions and environmental vision
Cornel West announces his presidential run as an independent candidate, focusing on climate change and social justice.
In short:
- Cornel West, a renowned academic, launched his presidential campaign as an independent, forming the Justice for All Party.
- His platform emphasizes "Green Reconstruction," aiming to address climate change while promoting racial and economic justice.
- West criticizes current policies for prioritizing profit over people's needs, advocating for a transformative approach to environmental and social issues.
Key quote:
"We just need more visionary thinkers who can bring together those in the ecological movement with the anti-racist realities that we’re dealing with."
— Cornel West, presidential Candidate
Why this matters:
Dr. West's candidacy brings a unique blend of environmental advocacy and social justice to the political arena. His focus on "Green Reconstruction" highlights the intersection of climate change with racial and economic inequalities, resonating with a growing demand for comprehensive and inclusive environmental policies. This approach could significantly impact public discourse on climate action and social equity.
COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter protests threw underlying systemic inequity magnifying climate change impacts into sharp relief, wrote Douglas Fischer in 2021.
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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says climate change is real. Is she proposing anything to stop it?
The former U.N. Ambassador touts her role in pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord and pledges to roll back clean energy incentives.
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Slovakia president rejects nomination of opponent of climate change policy as environment minister
Slovakia’s president says she is postponing the appointment of a new Cabinet following last month’s parliamentary election because she cannot accept the nomination of a person who doesn't believe in the threat of climate change as environment minister.
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