Field
Reports

News Roundup

How decades of disinformation about fossil fuels halted U.S. climate policy : NPR

October 27th, 2021

‘In April, President Biden unveiled the United States’ most ambitious plan ever to cut emissions that drive climate change, and he urged other nations to follow. Now, days before Biden prepares for a pivotal climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, the White House’s keystone legislative plan to tackle climate disruption appears to be dead, sunk by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.’

Source: How decades of disinformation about fossil fuels halted U.S. climate policy : NPR

Oil Executives to Face Congress on Climate Disinformation – The New York Times

October 27th, 2021

‘Executives of some of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies — Exxon Mobil, Chevron, BP and Shell — are set to appear before a congressional committee Thursday to address accusations that the industry spent millions of dollars to wage a decades-long disinformation campaign to cast doubt on the science of climate change and to derail action to reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels.’

Source: Oil Executives to Face Congress on Climate Disinformation – The New York Times

Climate Change Poses a Widening Threat to National Security – The New York Times

October 21st, 2021

‘The Biden administration released several reports Thursday on climate change and national security, laying out in stark terms the ways in which the warming world is beginning to pose significant challenges to stability worldwide.’

Source: Climate Change Poses a Widening Threat to National Security – The New York Times

Why the U.N.’s Biodiversity Conference Is So Important – The New York Times

October 14th, 2021

‘As 20,000 government leaders, journalists, activists and celebrities from around the world prepare to descend on Glasgow for a crucial climate summit starting late this month, another high-level international environmental meeting got started this week. The problem it seeks to tackle: A rapid collapse of species and systems that collectively sustain life on earth.’

Source: Why the U.N.’s Biodiversity Conference Is So Important – The New York Times

Energy systems transforming too slowly to rein in global warming: Report – Axios

October 13th, 2021

‘A major new report provides a stark warning ahead of the UN climate summit: Yes, clean-tech deployment is really surging, but energy systems are still transforming far too slowly to rein in global warming.’

Source: Energy systems transforming too slowly to rein in global warming: Report – Axios

CarbonBrief Video Analysis: Which countries are historically responsible for climate change?

October 7th, 2021

Animation and story from CarbonBrief:

‘History matters because the cumulative amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted since the start of the industrial revolution is closely tied to the 1.2C of warming that has already occurred.’

Fossil fuel industry gets subsidies of $11m a minute, IMF finds | Fossil fuels | The Guardian

October 7th, 2021

‘The IMF found the production and burning of coal, oil and gas was subsidised by $5.9tn in 2020, with not a single country pricing all its fuels sufficiently to reflect their full supply and environmental costs. Experts said the subsidies were “adding fuel to the fire” of the climate crisis, at a time when rapid reductions in carbon emissions were urgently needed.’

Source: Fossil fuel industry gets subsidies of $11m a minute, IMF finds | Fossil fuels | The Guardian

Biden’s silent climate betrayal – by Emily Atkin – HEATED

October 5th, 2021

‘…By allowing Line 3 to become operational now, Biden has done precisely what he sought to avoid: undermined his own climate credibility, and the U.S.’s ability to influence abroad. Biden could have easily paused Line 3’s construction by ordering the complete environmental review Trump never gave it. Instead, he chose to let it move forward—and ignored every attempt by his constituents to explain why.’

Source: Biden’s silent climate betrayal – by Emily Atkin – HEATED

‘Major’ Oil Spill Off California Coast Threatens Wetlands and Wildlife – The New York Times

October 4th, 2021

‘A pipeline failure sent at least 126,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific off the coast of Orange County, creating a 13-square-mile slick. Dead fish and birds washed ashore in some areas.’

Source: ‘Major’ Oil Spill Off California Coast Threatens Wetlands and Wildlife – The New York Times

Johnson says UK energy production to go 100% green by 2035 – France 24

October 4th, 2021

‘Britain will aim to shift all of its energy production to renewable sources by the middle of the next decade, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.’

Source: Johnson says UK energy production to go 100% green by 2035 – France 24