Environment News – We’ll Soon See UK Climate Refugees / US States Plan 100% Renewables / Cool New Pole to Pole Trip
Some bite-sized pieces of news from the environment this week.
12 June, 2019
Scientists have completed the first ever “global survey” of plants – and say the number of extinct plants is “frightening”. It’s 500 times greater now than before the industrial revolution, due to humans clearing land for agriculture, and deforestation.The number of lost plants is far greater than the already terrible numbers of extinct birds and animals. It’s really worrying, because plants provide the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat.
Multiple US States have passed bills that plan to get 100% of their electricity from renewables by 2050. That’s very encouraging, and it’s being hailed as a win for the climate crisis. Is it? Well, it’s certainly a start. Across “the pond” in the UK, the government has announced its plans to go completely emissions free by 2050. That’s a much bigger deal – it’s not just emissions from generating electricity, it’s ALL emissions. But many people are critical of the plan, saying it needs to happen much sooner than 2050 to help avert the climate crisis. (And others say it will “cost too much”. Want a future, with jobs and an economy? Pay to help avert climate change, or we’ll have nothing)..
Some TV networks in the US are beginning to talk about the climate crisis, which is good news. Some are now even talking about climate injustice. After another week of devastating storms, CNN host Don Lemon ran a 7-minute segment about how climate change is felt most in low-income neighborhoods. That’s good – people need to be aware of this, and there’s still not enough TV coverage in any country on the massive threat that we face with the climate crisis.
And climate action will save hundreds of heat-related deaths in the US, according to a new study. Extreme heat kills more Americans every year than any other weather-related event. Climate action is expensive – but inaction even more so!
more snippets
A pole-to-pole journey has started. Travelling from the Arctic to Antarctic, scientists have joined with campaigners to highlight the threats facing the oceans. They are campaigning for a global treaty covering all international waters. They will also research the threats of climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution, deep sea mining and oil drilling. You can see some gorgeous pics here.
We may soon see Britain’s first climate refugees. A whole village in north Wales will be dismantled – houses, shops, roads, sewers, gas pipes and electricity pylons.- due to rising sea levels, courtesy of climate change. Of course, other villages along the UK coastline have lost houses to accelerating erosion, but none have been abandoned. The residents of Fairbourne are not expected to receive any compensation for the loss of their homes, and resettlement plans are unclear. House prices have fallen dramatically, so residents are struggling. The elderly are wondering how they will pay for care when they cannot sell their houses. Young families are facing negative equity on their homes while they have young children to support. It’s really tough – and we’re going to see a lot more of it on coasts around the world.
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Warm regards,
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