I follow
a number of organizations who report findings concerning climate change on the
internet. One of my favorites is the Environmental Defense Fund,* a US
nonprofit environmental advocacy group. Most of the information for this blog
came from their recent posting, “Now is the Time for Bold Action on Climate.”
Here is a synopsis of their three recommendations for action.
1. Electrify the transportation
sector while cleaning up electricity
generation
Transportation
is the single largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. Fortunately, we
have the technology that offers jobs, cleaner air and a big reduction in air
pollution.
By 2035,
all new cars — and by 2040, all new trucks and buses — sold in the U.S. must be
zero emission, with deployment prioritized in frontline communities that have
long suffered a disproportionate burden of air pollution.
Momentum
is building. GM, Volvo and some other automakers have already embraced this
goal for cars. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced $162 million in funding to pioneer
electrified medium- and heavy-duty trucks. We need to speed the transition to
electric vehicles while ensuring that electric power is 100% clean by 2035.
At the
same time, we must ensure that by 2030, zero-emission cargo ships are using
green alternative shipping fuels to travel deep-sea shipping routes and
sustainable aviation fuels are meeting a significant portion of global demand
by 2030. Doing these things will help assure that by the middle of the 21st century, transporting our goods across the globe will no longer
add to the world’s climate pollution.
2. Harness the power of nature
to help stabilize the climate
Achieving
net zero emissions by mid-century requires stopping tropical deforestation and
removing some of the climate pollution already released into the atmosphere.
This demands scientifically sound natural climate solutions, such as protecting
and managing forests, farms, oceans, and grasslands to store carbon — while
also creating markets and investments to bring these solutions to scale — for
example, by rewarding indigenous people and other rainforest defenders for
their invaluable work.
3. Slash methane pollution to supercharge planet-saving
strategies.
The fastest way to put the brakes on climate
warming right now is to reduce highly potent methane pollution. Our climate
plan can’t stop at carbon dioxide. Methane pollution drives over 25% of today’s
warming and reducing it requires immediate action to prevent more extreme climate impacts, such as severe storms and hotter
fire seasons. Only by slashing methane pollution can we save Arctic sea ice.
The world cannot avoid climate catastrophe
without China’s active participation. This includes making firm commitments for
methane reduction targets and national methane standards. Europe has an opening
to play an outsized role too. The world’s largest gas importer can use
its buying power in
coordination with countries outside the EU to signal to the global market that
only the gas with the lowest methane emissions profile will be purchased.
“There have been moments throughout history
that have tested the will of humankind. The bold have stepped forward to change
the course of history and transform the world for the better.
Our climate moment is now — right now.”
*Fred Krupp is the founder and president of Environmental
Defense Fund. He became acquainted with recycling through his father's company,
which used old rags to create roofing material. From his initial focus on
recycling he gravitated toward climate issues, ultimately becoming an attorney
and educator. He is a graduate of Yale University with a law degree from the
University of Michigan where he has taught environmental law at both schools.
In other news, Chief executives from the likes of Unilever,
Microsoft and Apple are among the 310 business leaders who recently released a
letter urging the Biden administration to back up its 2050 net-zero target with
a strong interim emissions goal.
In the open letter co-ordinated by the We Mean Business Coalition and
Ceres, the executives praise the administration’s decision to re-commit the US to the Paris
Agreement and to table a climate bill
including a 2050 net-zero target. Since the bill, known as the CLEAN act,
was first introduced to the House
of Representatives last month, Biden
has built on his pledge to create 10 million clean energy jobs with sweeping
jobs and infrastructure plans.
The letter argues that, for the US pathway to net-zero to be
“credible” and for the full economic potential of the low-carbon transition to
be realized, a legally binding climate target for 2030 should be developed. The
target should require the US to reduce annual emissions by at least 50% by
2030, against a 2005 baseline, after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change’s (IPCC) landmark 2018 report stated that global net emissions should be
halved by 2030 to deliver the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C pathway.
“A bold 2030 target is needed to catalyze a zero-emissions
future, spur a robust economic recovery, create millions of well-paying jobs,
and allow the US to build back better from the pandemic,” the letter states.
“A 2030 target will also guide the US government’s approach
to more sustainable and resilient infrastructure, zero-emissions vehicles and
buildings, improved agricultural practices, and durable carbon removal.”
In the meantime, the New York Times reports that
deforestation of the world continues. Most of the usual suspects — Brazil,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia and others — made the list of countries
with high levels of deforestation. Brazil alone was responsible for about 40
percent of the loss. But Indonesia fell out of the top three for the first time
since the institute began its reports two decades ago, thanks in part to
government enforcement efforts.
Why it matters: By sequestering huge amounts of
carbon dioxide, tropical old-growth forests are crucial for combating climate
change.
The numbers: 10.3 million acres. That’s the total tropical
forest loss last year, about the same surface area as Switzerland. — Henry
Fountain
