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How the Atlas Network is shaping your life, even if you've never heard of it
3 months ago
- Friedrich Hayek's influence on Australia's economy and the creation of free-market think tanks is under scrutiny in a federal parliamentary inquiry.
- The inquiry focuses on misinformation and disinformation about climate change and energy, and the connections between Australian organizations and foreign think tanks.
- Neoliberalism, originating in the 1930s, aimed to rebuild liberalism after the credibility crisis caused by events like the Great Depression and World War I.
- The Mont Pelerin Society, founded in 1947, played a key role in promoting neoliberal ideas and influencing public policy through think tanks.
- Think tanks, such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Atlas Network, have been instrumental in spreading neoliberal ideas globally.
- The Atlas Network, with over 500 partners worldwide, including 10 in Australia and New Zealand, aims to proliferate free-market think tanks.
- Neoliberal think tanks in Australia, like the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) and the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), have significant influence on public policy.
- The Senate committee on information integrity is investigating the role of think tanks in disseminating climate change misinformation and disinformation.
- Key figures in the neoliberal movement, such as Hayek and Milton Friedman, have had lasting impacts on economic policies and political ideologies.
- The rejection of the term 'neoliberal' by its proponents obscures the movement's new strategies, such as deregulation and privatization, to promote free markets.
Overshoot: The World Is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate
3 months ago
- The world is set to overshoot the 1.5°C global warming limit, with the 2023-2025 period breaching this threshold.
- Climate scientists warn of devastating consequences, including severe weather, ecosystem collapse, and irreversible tipping points.
- The Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target is considered failed due to a decade of weak action on emissions.
- Natural carbon sinks (forests, oceans) are weakening, accelerating CO2 buildup in the atmosphere.
- Tipping points, such as Amazon rainforest dieback and Arctic permafrost melt, could trigger cascading climate disasters.
- Ocean warming and marine heatwaves threaten coral reefs, which may die off by mid-century.
- Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are melting rapidly, risking unstoppable sea-level rise.
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could collapse, disrupting global weather patterns.
- Geoengineering proposals, like solar radiation modification, are controversial and risky.
- Negative emissions (e.g., reforestation, carbon capture) are needed but remain politically and technologically unfeasible at scale.
Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health
3 months ago
- Trump reverses Obama-era 'endangerment finding' that labeled greenhouse gases a public health threat.
- The 2009 ruling was the legal foundation for federal climate regulations, including vehicle emissions standards.
- The White House claims the reversal will save $1tn and reduce car manufacturing costs by $2,400 per vehicle.
- Environmental groups argue the move will increase fuel costs, pollution, and health risks, including premature deaths.
- The auto industry faces uncertainty as less fuel-efficient vehicles may limit overseas sales.
- The Trump administration may seek a Supreme Court ruling to permanently overturn the endangerment finding.
- A controversial DOE report challenging climate science underpins the reversal, despite criticism from experts.
- Legal battles are expected as states and NGOs may challenge the decision in court.
EPA reverses climate change finding, stripping own ability to regulate emissions
3 months ago
- President Trump announced the EPA is rescinding the 'endangerment finding', a policy used to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
- The endangerment finding, established in 2009, stated that greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane endanger public health and welfare.
- Trump called the policy 'disastrous' and claimed fossil fuels have historically benefited humanity by lifting people out of poverty.
- Environmental groups plan to sue over the repeal, arguing it is scientifically and legally unfounded.
- The repeal removes the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, affecting vehicle and power plant emissions.
- The Supreme Court had previously ruled in 2007 that the EPA could regulate greenhouse gases, leading to the endangerment finding.
- The Trump administration labeled the repeal as 'the largest deregulatory action in American history'.
- The U.S. has exited the Paris Agreement and may leave the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, reducing its role in global climate talks.
- Trump also canceled $8 billion in clean energy funding and allocated $175 million to extend the life of coal plants.
- The EPA will no longer enforce greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles but will still regulate pollutants like carbon monoxide and ozone.
- Critics, including the NRDC, argue the repeal benefits the fossil fuel industry and will be challenged in court.
- Scientific organizations dispute the administration's claims, citing clear evidence of climate change's harmful effects.
- The Interior Secretary claimed CO₂ is not a pollutant and the repeal could revive the coal industry.
Western US gripped by extreme snow drought: 'I've never seen a winter like this'
2 months ago
- Record snow drought in the western US, with snow cover at roughly a third of typical levels.
- Oregon, Colorado, and Utah report their lowest statewide snowpack since the early 1980s.
- Extremely warm winter fueling the dire conditions, breaking records across the region.
- Snowpack is a crucial water source for millions, agriculture, and ecosystems, with water content below median levels.
- Low snow levels add pressure to urgent negotiations over the Colorado River's future.
- 80% of the Colorado River's supply goes to agriculture, including water-intensive crops like alfalfa and hay.
- States dependent on the Colorado River remain at an impasse over water management.
- February’s water supply outlook for the Colorado River basin was the worst in over 30 years.
- Snow drought could lead to an early wildfire season due to early drying of the landscape.
- Meteorologists expect wetter, cooler weather, but scientists doubt it will significantly improve snowpack levels.
Datacentre developers face calls to disclose effect on UK's net emissions
2 months ago
- Datacentre developers in the UK are under pressure to disclose if their projects will increase net greenhouse gas emissions.
- Concerns exist that datacentres could double national electricity demand, posing a threat to decarbonization efforts.
- Campaign groups urge developers to prove their projects won't increase CO2 emissions or worsen water scarcity.
- A letter signed by Foxglove and other NGOs warns of vast climate emissions from unchecked electricity use in datacentres.
- MPs are investigating the environmental sustainability of datacentres, with energy demand from them remaining uncertain.
- Ofgem estimates new datacentre projects could require 50GW of electricity, exceeding current peak demand.
- Proposed datacentres in Lincolnshire and Northumberland will each demand 1GW, equivalent to a nuclear power station's output.
- The UK's datacentre boom, driven by AI, raises concerns over power and water usage for cooling servers.
- A proposed Google datacentre in Essex could emit over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, akin to 500 short-haul flights weekly.
- Campaigners call for a framework to calculate environmental impact and prevent greenwashing in datacentre projects.
- The UK aims for a carbon-free power system by 2030, but rising electricity costs cast doubt on this goal.
- The government states datacentres drive growth and will use renewables, with planning considering water scarcity.
Musk's fossil data centres are undoing Tesla's climate benefit
2 months ago
- Elon Musk's fossil-fueled data centers for AI on X are causing significant pollution, often violating regulations.
- Local communities struggle to enforce air quality rules, with activists using cameras to document pollution from these centers.
- Estimated annual emissions from these data centers: 6.4 million tonnes of CO2 for 51 gas turbines (partial count).
- Full operational emissions projected at 11.3 million tonnes annually across 86 gas turbines, currently at 5.1 million tonnes.
- Tesla's claimed avoided emissions (32 million tonnes in 2024) are undermined by these data centers, potentially negating 35% of Tesla's benefits.
- Data centers' emissions could exceed Tesla's total avoided emissions from 2023 (10.2–13.4 million tonnes, per independent estimates).
- Generative AI's inefficiency highlighted: high emissions for harmful content on a declining far-right platform.
- Industry trend: 'petrotech'—fossil-fueled tech growth—threatens climate goals, with plans for 100 gigawatts of new gas capacity for data centers.
- Clean tech complacency criticized as Musk's projects erode Tesla's climate benefits.
- Warning about 'avoided emissions' claims being used to greenwash high-emission tech like AI data centers.
Buckle Up for Bumpier Skies
2 months ago
- Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence over Myanmar, causing injuries to passengers and crew.
- Turbulence is a common but often underestimated hazard in air travel, with clear-air turbulence being particularly dangerous due to its invisibility to radar.
- Historical aviation disasters, like the 1966 Mt. Fuji crash, have led to significant safety innovations in aircraft design and technology.
- Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of turbulence, with clear-air turbulence expected to rise significantly by 2050.
- Boeing and other aviation companies continuously work on improving aircraft resilience and turbulence detection systems to enhance passenger safety.
- Flight attendants are disproportionately affected by turbulence-related injuries due to their need to move around the cabin during flights.
- Advanced technologies like lidar and improved radar systems are being developed to better detect and mitigate turbulence, though implementation faces economic and logistical challenges.
- Passenger safety measures, such as seat belts and reinforced cabin structures, have significantly reduced the risk of serious injuries during turbulence.
- The aviation industry faces ongoing challenges in balancing safety improvements with economic constraints, particularly in sharing turbulence data and investing in new technologies.
- Despite advancements, turbulence remains a complex and unpredictable phenomenon, requiring continued research and innovation to ensure safer air travel.
After a lawsuit, USDA agrees to share climate risk data with farmers
2 months ago
- USDA employees were instructed to delete climate change webpages under Trump's administration.
- Environmental and agricultural nonprofits sued USDA over the loss of critical climate information.
- USDA agreed to restore climate webpages and share datasets as part of a legal settlement.
- The settlement ensures public access to climate risk tools but doesn't guarantee indefinite maintenance.
- Farmers still face uncertainty about available loan programs under the Trump administration.
- The lawsuit highlighted financial struggles of farmers and lack of federal support for sustainable practices.
Climate change is speeding up
2 months ago
- Global warming rate has nearly doubled since the 1970s, accelerating to around 0.35°C per decade.
- Reduction in air pollution from international shipping regulations is a key factor in the acceleration.
- The study accounts for natural factors like El Niño and volcanic eruptions to provide a clearer picture.
- By 2030, global temperatures are expected to breach the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
- Other estimates suggest a lower acceleration rate, but most scientists agree warming is speeding up.
- Urgency for emissions reductions is emphasized due to the accelerated warming rate.
Phoenix Arizona is likely to see its earliest 100f(38c) day on record, in March
2 months ago
- A drastic weather pattern change is causing weather whiplash across the U.S.
- A record-setting Western heat wave will dominate for at least two weeks, with potential all-time March heat records.
- The heat will melt the West's below-average snowpack, raising concerns for water resources and wildfire risks.
- Colorado and Utah may see their lowest snowpack on record.
- A heat dome over the West will bring prolonged extreme temperatures.
- The East will experience winterlike cold, with temperatures dropping significantly after recent mild weather.
- Cities in the East could see highs in the 30s and 40s after recent 70s and 80s.
- The Southeast, including Florida, may also experience unusually cold temperatures.
- The National Weather Service warns of unprecedented and potentially deadly March heat in the Southwest.
- Phoenix may see its earliest 100-degree day on record.
- Extreme heat is the top weather-related killer in the Lower 48 states.
- The West just experienced its hottest meteorological winter on record.
- Southern California could see temperatures 20-30 degrees above average.
- Climate change is increasing the likelihood, duration, and severity of heat waves.
- Winter is the fastest-warming season in much of the U.S., with earlier springs.
Temperatures expected to remain at or near record levels in coming five years
2 months ago
- Global temperatures are expected to remain at or near record levels over the next five years (2025-2029).
- There is an 86% chance that at least one year between 2025-2029 will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- An 80% chance exists that one year in 2025-2029 will surpass 2024 as the warmest on record.
- Long-term warming (20-year average) remains below 1.5°C, but the 2015-2034 average is predicted at 1.44°C.
- Arctic warming will continue to exceed the global average.
- Predicted precipitation anomalies include wetter conditions in the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska, and northern Siberia, and drier conditions in the Amazon.
- The WMO report highlights growing climate risks, including extreme weather, sea-level rise, and ecosystem impacts.
- The Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold refers to long-term warming, not single-year exceedances.
- Sea ice reductions are expected in the Barents Sea, Bering Sea, and Sea of Okhotsk.
US has caused $10T worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds
a month ago
- The US has caused $10tn in global damages over the past three decades due to its carbon emissions.
- A quarter of this economic damage has affected the US itself, with the rest impacting other countries, especially poorer nations.
- China, the current largest emitter, has caused $9tn in GDP damage since 1990.
- US emissions have led to $500bn in economic damage to India and $330bn to Brazil.
- The study, published in Nature, quantifies 'loss and damage' from climate change.
- Developing countries seek financial aid from wealthier nations to cope with climate-related disasters.
- The research links GDP constraints to historical emissions but excludes broader climate consequences.
- Climate economist Gernot Wagner emphasizes the rapid accumulation of damages from past emissions.
- The US has resisted legal liability for climate damages, with policies under Trump exacerbating the issue.
- Experts note the study may underestimate the disproportionate impact on poorer countries.

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#climate-change

How the Atlas Network is shaping your life, even if you've never heard of it

Overshoot: The World Is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate

Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health

EPA reverses climate change finding, stripping own ability to regulate emissions

Western US gripped by extreme snow drought: 'I've never seen a winter like this'

Datacentre developers face calls to disclose effect on UK's net emissions

Musk's fossil data centres are undoing Tesla's climate benefit

Buckle Up for Bumpier Skies

After a lawsuit, USDA agrees to share climate risk data with farmers

Climate change is speeding up

Phoenix Arizona is likely to see its earliest 100f(38c) day on record, in March

Temperatures expected to remain at or near record levels in coming five years

US has caused $10T worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds