‘UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations secretary-general said the world must dramatically change the way it fuels factories, vehicles and homes to limit future warming to a level scientists call nearly impossible.’

Source: U.N. Warns of ‘Disaster’ If Global Warming Isn’t Stopped | Time

‘For the first time in the past 800,000 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is over 415 parts per million, according to recent data.’

‘On land, in the seas, in the sky, the devastating impact of humans on nature is laid bare in a compelling UN report.

One million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.’

Source: Nature crisis: Humans ‘threaten 1m species with extinction’ | BBC

‘…One million species are currently threatened with extinction and we are undermining the entire natural infrastructure on which our modern world depends.’

Source:  Loss of biodiversity is just as catastrophic as climate change | The Guardian

‘…The first piece, out last Friday, is the “100 percent Clean Energy for America Plan.” It lays out three high-level targets for 2030:

• 100 percent carbon-neutral electricity;
• 100 percent zero-emissions in new light- and medium-duty vehicles and all buses;
• 100 percent zero-carbon pollution in all new commercial and residential buildings.’

Source: Jay Inslee promised serious climate policy and he is delivering | Vox

‘…O’Rourke says his proposal is the “most ambitious climate plan in the history of the United States.” Certainly it is—so far—the most wide-ranging climate plan debuted by any Democratic presidential candidate in the 2020 race, though a number of contenders say their own proposals will come out shortly. And it makes for a dramatic contrast with the agenda of President Donald Trump, who has repealed major federal rules restricting carbon pollution and staffed the federal government with former fossil-fuel lobbyists.’

Source: Why Beto’s Climate Plan Is So Surprising | The Atlantic

‘Climate change has become such a familiar term that we tend to read past it—it’s part of our mental furniture, like urban sprawl or gun violence. So, let’s remember exactly what we’ve been up to, because it should fill us with awe; it’s by far the biggest thing humans have ever done. Those of us in the fossil fuel-consuming classes have, over the last 200 years, dug up immense quantities of coal and gas and oil, and burned them: in car motors, basement furnaces, power plants, steel mills. When we burn them, the carbon atoms combine with oxygen atoms in the air to produce carbon dioxide. The molecular structure of carbon dioxide traps heat that would otherwise have radiated back out to space. We have, in other words, changed the energy balance of our planet, the amount of the sun’s heat that is returned to space.’

Source: It’s Not Coming, It’s Here: Bill McKibben on Our New Climate Reality | Literary Hub

‘…But farmers, agricultural scientists and industry officials say a new threat has been ruining harvests, upending lives and adding to the surge of families migrating to the United States: climate change.’

Source: Central American Farmers Head to the U.S., Fleeing Climate Change | The New York Times

‘Washington is looking to become the fourth state to make the move to 100% renewable electricity, with only a Senate review and the hand of Governor Inslee left in the way of SB 5116.’

Source: Washington 100% renewable bill passes both Houses | PV Magazine

‘…and let’s pick our heads up to face what might be the biggest security threat of our time – climate change and climate disruption… Our economy is on the line. Our future is on the line. Lives are on the line. So let’s call this what it is – climate security, a life and death issue for our generation.’ ~ Pete Buttigieg formally announcing his Presidential run.