環保時事 - Page 23 of 86

Antarctic sea ice reaches record low, a sign of climate change impacts. Scientists outline possible causes.

Analysis of the latest satellite imagery shows that sea ice around Antarctica has reached a 40-year low. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, as of February 22, the ice cover around the Antarctic coast was approximately 1.94 million square kilometers, breaking the previous record low of 2.11 million square kilometers set in early March 2017. Antarctic sea ice reaches a new low; warming oceans are only one factor. Marilyn N. Raphael, a geography professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies Antarctic sea ice, said warming ocean temperatures may be one factor, "but we will be working hard in the coming months to identify other factors." Antarctic sea ice extent varies significantly from year to year, but has averaged very small increases since satellite observations began in the late 1970s. In contrast, the Arctic, which is warming three times faster than other regions, has seen its sea ice extent decrease by more than 10% per decade during the same period. The two regions face starkly different situations. The North Pole and the Polar Circle cover the Arctic Ocean and are surrounded by land. In the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole and the Arctic Circle are covered by the Antarctic continent and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Although the rapid warming of the Arctic is the main reason for the shrinking of local sea ice, the impact of climate change on Antarctic sea ice is not so clear. Is global warming causing the reduction of Antarctic sea ice? Scholars: The relationship between the two is not yet clear.

2022-03-04

Is South Korea's nuclear policy about to take a U-turn? President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will promote advanced nuclear technology.

South Korea's presidential election concluded on the 9th. The election of Yoon Seok-yeol, who had vowed to reverse his nuclear disarmament policy and make South Korea a nuclear powerhouse, marks a possible U-turn on the country's years-long nuclear disarmament plan. South Korean President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol pledged to use nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions. Since taking office in 2017, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has championed a policy of moving away from nuclear power, retiring older nuclear power plants, and avoiding the construction of new ones. Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People's Power Party, criticized this policy and pledged to use nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on imported energy. It is widely expected that the first step the new government will take will be to restart construction of two nuclear reactors, Shinhanul 3 and 4, located 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, which have been idle. The two reactors, with a total capacity of 1,400 megawatts, have been on hold since 2017 and were originally scheduled to be completed next year. The current government aims to reduce the proportion of nuclear energy to 23.9% Yoon Seok-yeol also promised to keep the existing nuclear reactors in operation as long as safety can be guaranteed. Through these nuclear reactors, South Korea can continue to maintain the proportion of nuclear energy at around 30%. South Korea now has a total of 24 nuclear reactors. The current government has sought to reduce the number of operating nuclear power plants to 17 by 2034, in order to reduce the proportion of nuclear energy in the country's total power generation to 23.9% by 2030. In 2017, the South Korean government closed the country's oldest reactor, the Kori-1 reactor in the southern port city of Busan. The reactor has been put into use

2022-03-04

"Coral Reef Burial" transforms ashes into artificial reefs to help restore marine habitats

The Guardian reported that the Florida-based charity Eternal Reefs offers a way for ocean enthusiasts to "leave a legacy of love to the sea" through a reef burial. Demand for reef burials has tripled during the pandemic. According to Eternal Reefs, reef burials involve mixing pH-neutral concrete with human ashes to create "reef balls" and placing them in a controlled area of the seabed off the US coast. Eternal Reefs provides the deceased's family with the GPS coordinates of the "burial site." Eternal Reefs stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for reef burials has tripled, largely from ocean enthusiasts who hope to contribute to the regeneration of marine life after death. Human desire to return to the ocean after death dates back thousands of years, with evidence of sea burials dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Various forms of sea burial are practiced around the world. In the South Pacific, for example, bodies are placed on canoes and pushed into the sea. In Asia, scattering ashes at sea has been a common and long-standing practice. It is now generally believed that sea burial is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. Although choosing coral reef burial still requires cremation of the body, the ashes after cremation can help restore marine habitats by imitating certain characteristics of coral reefs. According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), most of the world's coral reefs are threatened by ocean warming and acidification, pollution and overfishing. Coral reefs have the ability to protect coastal areas.

2022-02-24

With the 2040 goal of net-zero agriculture, how are carbon credits and carbon footprints calculated? Expanding to the food production system presents challenges.

Not only has the northern part of this year been hit by heavy, seemingly endless rain at the start of spring, but even the dry south has seen a surge in rainfall, impacting onion and wax apple production south of the border. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing extreme weather events are continuously impacting agricultural production. To this end, the Council of Agriculture has taken the lead in declaring a goal of achieving net-zero agricultural emissions by 2040, strengthening the resilience of Taiwan's agriculture through "reduction," "sink enhancement," "circulation," and "green trends." Money can't buy! Extreme climate exacerbates disaster losses, indirectly impacting food security. "Money can't buy eggs" is the common sentiment of many people these days. In his speech at the "Towards Net-Zero Agricultural Emissions Strategy Conference," Council of Agriculture Chairman Chen Chi-chung pointed out that the cold winter weather and large temperature swings between day and night in western Taiwan, coupled with logistical disruptions caused by the pandemic and sharp price increases for raw materials like soybeans and corn, have increased egg production costs, impacting egg production capacity. This illustrates the speed at which climate change is impacting agriculture. "It is too late to adapt. The fundamental solution is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." The trend of net-zero emissions in 2050 is sweeping the world, and Taiwan has also responded positively. After 27 seminars and more than 2,000 participants from industry, government, and academia, the Council of Agriculture announced the "Net Zero Agricultural Emissions" strategy, which combines four main themes, 13 strategies, and 59 measures. It will take the lead in net-zero emissions, and help farmers obtain carbon rights through agricultural advantages, and experience the benefits of net-zero emissions through carbon trading. Chen Chi-chung said that Taiwan's average annual temperature has risen by 0.6~0.8℃ relative to the base period over the past 50 years, which has caused significant impacts; three years ago, a temperature rise of 1.5℃ was used as the target for agricultural adjustments.

2022-02-22

As snowy weather warms, the Beijing Winter Olympics will rely on 100% artificial snow for the first time, potentially putting most winter sports in jeopardy.

The use of artificial snow in the Winter Olympics has been practiced for many years. In fact, the option of artificial snow has allowed cities without suitable conditions (sufficient snowfall) to win the right to host the Games. However, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will be the first to use almost 100% machine-produced snow. Global warming threatens the future of the Winter Olympics. Beijing experiences almost no natural snowfall this winter. The beginning of the year is the coldest time of year in Beijing, yet average temperatures remain above freezing. Furthermore, Beijing has been experiencing a severe drought for many years, and this winter has seen almost no natural snowfall. According to the China Water Resources Risk Report, Beijing faces severe water scarcity and is increasingly dependent on water transported from the south to the north. Zhangjiakou, a city adjacent to Beijing and also hosting the Winter Olympics, has less than a quarter of the national average for per capita water resources. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s decision to host the Winter Olympics in a city that relies entirely on artificial snow has raised questions about the sustainability of the Winter Olympics. Madeleine Orr, a sports ecologist at Loughborough University in the UK, criticized: "100% reliance on artificial snow is a warning sign that the Olympics are being held in places where climatic conditions do not allow it." Orr and other scholars recently published a study pointing out that human-induced global warming will threaten the future of the Winter Olympics. As snowfall becomes increasingly unstable and temperatures rise, the number of cities suitable for hosting winter sports events will continue to decrease. Even if artificial snow can be used to replace natural snow, it is not

2022-02-17

Over 100 countries pledge to protect oceans by signing agreement to combat illegal fishing and reduce marine plastic waste

The Guardian reported that representatives from over 100 countries pledged to take action to protect the oceans from human harm, including strengthening efforts to combat illegal fishing, reduce plastic pollution, and enhance the protection of international waters. Countries will reach a global agreement by the end of the year to regulate the sustainable use of the high seas. The three-day "One Ocean" summit concluded in Brest, France on the 11th. French President Emmanuel Macron stated at one of the high-level meetings that 2022 is "a decisive year in which we should make clear and firm commitments." U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry stated, "The oceans nurture life on Earth and produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe, but now even they are under threat. The oceans and climate are in fact one system, inextricably linked." The 27 EU member states and 16 other countries agreed at the meeting to reach a global agreement by the end of the year that would not only regulate the sustainable use of the high seas but also protect marine biodiversity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the summit: "We have a consensus, but we must move forward to conclude the treaty." The fourth and final round of negotiations on the global ocean convention will begin in New York in March. Countries participating in the "One Ocean" conference in France hope to successfully reach an agreement at this meeting.

2022-02-16

Let wood contribute to net-zero carbon emissions: The exotic species Leucaena leucaena is transformed into creative furniture

The Forestry Bureau has been fighting against the invasive alien species "Leucaena leucophylla" on the Hengchun Peninsula for many years, and has been constantly looking for diverse channels for the removal of the eradicated Leucaena leucophylla. Hundreds of furniture and cultural and creative products recently displayed at the Taipei Design and Building Materials Center were made of Leucaena leucophylla. They were the finalists of the first Leucaena leucophylla furniture design competition co-organized by the Forestry Bureau and the Rotary Club. Yesterday (15th), Forestry Bureau Director Lin Huaqing said that as countries around the world pursue the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, wood will become an important material. Lin Huaqing explained that in the past, different ways of using Leucaena leucophylla wood had been tried, and furniture design was found to be an effective channel. The Forestry Bureau will also continue to improve the applicability of Leucaena leucophylla wood. The tug-of-war over "green cancer" has spread over 3,000 hectares on the Hengchun Peninsula. Leucaena leucophylla is listed as one of the world's top 100 invasive alien species. It was originally grown in Central America and was introduced to Taiwan about 50 years ago as a papermaking material. Due to the suitable environmental conditions for its growth, coupled with its own strong reproductive capacity, large fruit yield, high seed germination rate and the secretion of toxic "mimosin" by its roots, it inhibits the growth of other surrounding plants. Therefore, it is very easy to form large areas of pure forests, which have a huge impact on the environmental ecology. Lin Huaqing, director of the Forestry Bureau, explained that the exclusivity of Leucaena leucophylla prevents other plants from growing, and large areas of Leucaena leucophylla forests also cause problems such as low biodiversity. The Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan is the most serious, with a distribution area of more than 3,000 hectares, almost all of which have been occupied by Leucaena leucophylla. The Pingtung Forest District Management Office of the Forestry Bureau has been planning prevention and control since early 2001, and has dug up Leucaena leucophylla in state-owned forests.

2022-02-16

Luffa, peat soil, and floating farms: The Toushe Basin offers a clever way to balance industry and the environment.

The Toushe Basin in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, is surrounded by mountains and has a catchment area of approximately 500 hectares. The basin's center is gently sloping, and runoff from all sides quickly converges into the basin during rainfall. Surface runoff is primarily drained through the Shuiwei River, with floodwaters discharged at the Toushe Bridge, the only outlet. The flat areas in the center of the basin are primarily agricultural or abandoned land, with settlements built around the intersection of the slopes and the basin. In the past, the Toushe Basin primarily cultivated rice, and its "Toushe Rice" was renowned for its quality and quantity. However, since around 1996, rice prices have fallen compared to other emerging crops, prompting farmers to shift their focus. Luffa, known for its ability to be made into "luffa sand rice," has recently become a major crop. The luffa planting season runs from March to October. Due to the crop's irrigation needs and relatively abundant summer rainfall, the basin's peat soil naturally retains moisture. However, luffa does not tolerate waterlogging, so rapid drainage is crucial. When winter comes, most of the crops are dry, short-term crops or fallow, which may cause the peat soil to lose water for several months. This not only accelerates the oxidation of the peat soil, but is also more likely to become a "carbon source" and dissipate into the atmosphere. From this, we can see that although the change in the way humans use basins can increase agricultural income, it not only changes the landscape, but may also cause peat soil to change from a "carbon sink" to a "carbon source." It is necessary to conserve water and drain floods. The coexistence of peat soil and loofah is possible. In the face of the problem of waterlogging in the basin, the first solution is to allow the peat soil to retain water and prevent the peat soil from shrinking and causing the ground height to decrease, which will continue to increase the potential for waterlogging. If the agricultural utilization of the basin can be adjusted,

2022-02-15

Coca-Cola aims to reuse 25% of its packaging by 2030; environmental groups urge the government to follow international trends

Coca-Cola, which produces over 120 billion plastic bottles annually, announced last Thursday (the 10th) that it would achieve a goal of 25% reusable packaging by 2030. Chang Kai-ting, director of the Green and Platform Taipei Office's plastic reduction project, pointed out that converting product packaging to reusable plastic reduction is an international trend, and Taiwan's local retail industry should also make specific plastic reduction commitments as soon as possible. Since Taiwan currently has no reduction targets for single-use plastic packaging, Chang Kai-ting called on the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately propose relevant countermeasures. Reducing plastic pollution at the source is the only way to effectively improve plastic pollution. Coca-Cola, the four-time global champion in "plastic pollution," announced that 25% of its products will be reusable by 2030. In 2020, Coca-Cola announced that it would reduce its use of non-recyclable plastic by 35% within five years. However, last year (2021), it was still ranked as the world's worst plastic polluter by the "Break Free From Plastic" global initiative, retaining the title of world champion in plastic pollution for four consecutive years. According to statistics, Coca-Cola produces more than 120 billion plastic bottles every year. According to Reuters, in 2020, the proportion of reusable packaging materials in Coca-Cola was only 16%. However, Coca-Cola recently announced that this proportion will increase to 25% in 2030. In other words, after 2030, at least 25% of Coca-Cola's beverage packaging will be sold in the form of refillable glass or plastic bottles. Greenpeace said it will continue to urge Coca-Cola to make higher plastic reduction commitments and require refillable plastic bottles.

2022-02-14

Extreme climate survivors age faster: Study: Macaques age nearly two years after hurricane

A new study analyzing macaque monkeys that survived Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico has found that extreme weather events may accelerate human aging. The study found that macaques aged two years after the hurricane. According to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on the 7th, macaques that survived the hurricane appeared to have aged an average of nearly two years, equivalent to seven to eight years of human lifespan, compared to macaques that did not experience the disaster. This suggests that when the frequency of extreme weather events increases due to the climate crisis, it may have adverse biological consequences for the animals that experience them. Hurricane Maria, a Category 4, struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, killing more than 3,000 people, leaving 3.4 million residents without power for weeks, and causing more than $100 billion in damage. In addition to the human toll, the hurricane also affected Puerto Rico's wildlife, such as the free-ranging macaque population on nearby Cayo Santiago Island. Scientists analyzed the health data of macaque monkeys living at the Caribbean Primate Research Center in the four years before and one year after the hurricane, and found that Hurricane Maria may have accelerated the aging of the macaques' immune systems. 4% of the genes involved in the expression of the macaques' immune cells changed. Previous studies have found that people who survive extreme adverse experiences have a higher risk of heart disease and other common diseases in the elderly, but researchers say it is still unclear why.

2022-02-11

Carbon emissions also vary widely, with UK research showing that reducing the carbon footprint of the rich is the fastest way to reach net zero.

According to a study from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, the carbon footprint of the rich is far greater than that of the poor, and their share of global carbon emissions continues to increase. The richest 10% of the population emits 49% of global greenhouse gases. The study, published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science, found that in 2010, the richest 10% of households emitted 34% of global carbon dioxide, while the low-income 50% of the population contributed only 15% of global carbon emissions. By 2015, 49% of global greenhouse gas emissions came from the richest 10%, while the poorest 50% accounted for only 7%. Aimee Ambrose, professor of energy policy at Sheffield Hallam University and one of the study's authors, said that reducing the carbon footprint of the rich may be the fastest way to achieve net zero emissions. In terms of energy demand in the UK, the bottom 50% of the population accounts for less than 20% of final energy demand, which is less than the consumption of the top 5% of the rich. While the products used in the homes of the wealthy may be more energy-efficient, they may have larger spaces that need heating and are more likely to own and use more luxury goods and other items. Ambrose said that living beyond one's means may lead to lower travel times for middle- to low-income Britons, and they may also use less fuel, leading to lower carbon emissions for this group. High-spending groups are less likely to compromise themselves to make ends meet. "For the wealthy,

2022-02-10

Breaking Forestry Stereotypes: Exploring the Possibilities of Sustainable Development at Hsinchu's Yongtai Forest Farm

Taiwan's forest area accounts for 60%, yet its timber self-sufficiency rate is only 1%. Approximately 4.4 million cubic meters of timber are imported annually, increasing our carbon footprint and potentially contributing to illegal logging in other countries. The Forestry Bureau has been actively promoting local forestry and "domestic timber" in recent years, aiming to increase timber self-sufficiency to 5% by 2027. However, even with a domestic timber traceability system in place, many consumers remain concerned about whether forestry will truly protect against soil and water conservation and impact the ecological environment. A reporter from the Environmental Information Center visited the Yongtai Forest Farm in Hsinchu and witnessed how one of the few privately-owned forest farms in Taiwan, with over half a century of experience, repeatedly regenerates its ecosystem through a cycle of planting and felling trees, practicing sustainable forestry that reduces carbon emissions. Nestled in the 1,200-meter-high mountains of Wufeng Township in Hsinchu, entering the lush forest, a grove of Cryptomeria trees rises from the ground, each tree towering straight into the sky. Sunlight peeks through the gaps between branches and leaves, and the colorful shadows of the trees sway in the wind. You can smell the damp, cold scent of moss on the tree trunks. Listen carefully, and you can hear the sound of sawing wood coming from not far away, "Sheng Neng~ Sheng Neng~", and trees fall one after another... Wait! Don't rush to call the police, these are not some mountain rats stealing trees, but Yongtai Forestry is "clear-cutting". In this artificial economic forest that has been growing for more than 20 years, the trees that have been cut down were planted more than 30 years ago. Witnessing the rise and fall of the forestry industry, Liang Zhaoqing, chairman of Yongtai Forestry, is determined to plant trees for the next generation. In 1991, the government announced the policy of "total ban on logging of natural forests", and the total amount of forestry production was controlled each year. Many forestry companies have closed down or moved abroad.

2022-02-08

The cost of saving the planet: McKinsey: Achieving net zero will require $9.2 trillion annually

According to a report from McKinsey & Company, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires a "radical transformation of the global economy." McKinsey: Ending the Climate Crisis Requires $9.2 Trillion in Annual Investment. McKinsey estimates that $9.2 trillion in annual investment is needed over the next few decades to limit global warming to 1.5°C and end the climate crisis. This represents a 60% increase in current investment, equivalent to half of global corporate profits and a quarter of global tax revenue in 2020. The report warns that this economic transformation will affect every country and industry, with those most dependent on fossil fuels experiencing the most dramatic changes. However, McKinsey, which advises many governments and large companies, also notes that the transition will be difficult before it is easy, with electricity costs, for example, rising before falling. The report states that achieving net-zero emissions is imperative to avoid the worst impacts of global warming on billions of people, and that many low-carbon investments represent opportunities for economic growth, potentially leading to a lower-cost, more efficient economy. The report also states that the longer the delay, the higher the cost of the transition. "$9.2 trillion is a huge figure that should grab everyone's attention," said Jonathan Woetzel, a McKinsey Global Institute researcher and author of the report. "But such a large investment is not impossible. Societies have undergone major transformations in the past," such as global urbanization. According to Woetzel, the economic transformation referred to here is one that begins to take environmental and social costs into account.

2022-01-28

Norwegian e-commerce company launches 'climate receipt' to track carbon footprint of purchases, driving down red meat sales

Norwegian grocer Oda displays carbon emissions information on shopping receipts, and the results show that customers are gradually avoiding products such as red meat that increase their carbon footprint. This climate-friendly measure has also led to a rapid increase in sales of vegetarian products. Oda's Director of Sustainability stated, "Now, for every five burgers sold, one is vegetarian." The climate receipts are a result of customer requests. Oda says these receipts allow customers to understand the carbon footprint of their purchases, resulting in a decrease in orders for red meat and other high-carbon-emission products. Unlike common e-commerce promotions, Oda does not offer buy-more-get-more deals to avoid unnecessary spending, and uses reusable cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags for delivery. Louise Fuchs, sustainability director of Oda, said: "Our customers have told us that it is difficult for consumers to tell whether a product is 'climate-friendly'. We also think that we should find a way to solve this problem, so we started looking for a simple way to convey the carbon emissions of products to consumers." "We don't want to instruct customers on what to buy and what not to buy. The climate receipt actually comes from customer requests." Sales of meat substitutes and vegetables have increased significantly Oda and the Norwegian Climate Research Institute Cicero classify products according to high, medium and low carbon emissions. Since January last year (2021), customers have been informed of the carbon footprint of their shopping. "This approach has received a lot of positive feedback from customers. It has made the sales of vegetarian products grow faster. Now for every five burgers sold, one is a vegetarian burger.

2022-01-25

Scientists are mapping the world's ocean floor, improving tsunami predictions.

The science of ocean bathymetry has evolved significantly since its early days. In the past, simpler soundings were performed manually using ropes and weights. Today, the Seabed 2030 project, supported by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), aims to leverage advanced technology to accurately and completely map the global ocean floor by the end of the century. The project integrates bathymetric data from around the world and makes it freely available online. The large-scale hydrographic survey for Seabed 2030 is being led by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese philanthropy, and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). The intergovernmental GEBCO organization aims to produce a reliable map of the ocean floor, detailing the depth and shape of the world's seafloor. Scientists are mapping mid-ocean ridges, submarine volcanoes, relict or underwater coastlines, hydrothermal vents, moraines carved by ancient glaciers, and new seafloor crust. All collected data will be compiled into the GEBCO Grid, a free and publicly available dataset. The main goal of the Seabed 2030 project is to create a complete GEBCO Grid data set map that integrates bathymetric data from around the world. To complete the seabed mapping, Global Oceans, a US non-governmental organization that is one of the project participants, will modify an Ocean Exp

2022-01-21

Renting furniture reduces waste by 6 tons. Taipower's employee cafeteria transforms into a Nordic-style complex.

Taiwan Power Company has partnered with IKEA to replace all furniture in the Taipower building's employee cafeteria, including tables and chairs, through a "rent-to-buy" model. The opening ceremony was held today (18th). Taipower said that the rent-to-buy model can reduce the cost of purchase, maintenance, and disposal. These furniture will eventually be recycled by IKEA, which is estimated to reduce about 6 tons of furniture waste, equivalent to about 20 tons of carbon emissions. This is the second time after Taipei 101 that IKEA Taiwan has partnered with a company to launch a furniture subscription service. Taipower Chairman Yang Wei-fu said that he hopes to become a leader in the public sector and drive various departments to minimize carbon emissions and move towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in a variety of ways. Hundreds of furniture items are rented and recycled by IKEA after use. Taipower promotes a circular economy and cooperates with furniture retailer IKEA to use the "rent-to-buy" furniture product service model to renovate the Taipower headquarters employee cafeteria. Taipower pointed out that the employee cafeteria has been in use for nearly 40 years since 1983. Last year (2021), it started cooperation with IKEA to establish a circular furniture model. The two parties signed a 6-year contract. During this period, IKEA will be responsible for the space design and planning and layout of furniture and home furnishings. IKEA will also be responsible for maintenance, renovation and final recycling. This is different from the traditional "manufacture, purchase, use, and discard" linear model, realizing the concept of circular economy. Taipower explained that the employee cafeteria covers an area of about 260 square meters. This time, IKEA provided 106 items of furniture such as dining tables and chairs, sofas, chandeliers, etc., with a total of 438 seats. Let employees

2022-01-18

Agricultural product prices will remain high in 2022! Extreme weather causes shortages

Increasing extreme weather conditions caused by climate change are threatening global agricultural production. Mid-last year, heatwaves and droughts in Canada impacted pea production, while frost damage in Brazil severely damaged coffee bean-producing areas. Such price increases and reduced food security, driven by reduced agricultural production, are expected to become even more pronounced in the future. Agricultural product prices, which soared last year due to extreme weather events, are expected to remain high this year as unusual weather conditions damage crops and lead to persistent shortages. The Financial Times reported that prices for Brazilian coffee, Belgian potatoes, and Canadian yellow peas surged last year due to extreme temperatures and flooding. Scientists warn that these abnormal conditions will become more frequent and severe due to accelerating climate change. Logistics challenges and changes in consumer habits caused by the pandemic also led to price increases for sugar and wheat last year. According to a report released by the Stockholm Environment Institute, "agriculture is the most exposed to climate change," with the risk from either a single extreme weather event or long-term shifts in climate patterns being "many times greater" than the chance. A series of extreme weather events occurred globally in mid-2021, causing severe agricultural losses. For example, Brazil's July frost severely damaged coffee bean producing areas, pushing prices to a seven-year high. Brazil's climate remains unstable, raising concerns about further agricultural losses. At the end of last year, the "La Niña" phenomenon occurred for two consecutive years, which is expected to exacerbate global rainfall and drought problems. Mario Zappacosta, a senior economist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said

2022-01-18

Germany lags behind on climate goals, unveils seven priority measures, including curbing electricity prices

Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, stated that Germany failed to meet its 2021 climate targets and is likely to fail to do so this year and next. He stated that Germany "must triple the pace of emissions reduction" to achieve its 2030 target. The Vice Chancellor admitted that Germany will miss its climate targets for the third consecutive year. Last year (2021) was a challenging year for Germany's climate progress. Due to unusually weak wind speeds, renewable energy generation fell to a two-year low. Carbon emissions, although briefly declining due to COVID-19, subsequently rebounded. A variety of factors contributed to Germany's failure to meet its 2021 climate targets. "We have been faced with a very large number of pressing issues since taking over the government," Habeck admitted in Berlin on the 11th while reporting on the country's 2021 climate progress. He explained that if the current pace continues, Germany's carbon emissions will only be reduced by 50% by 2030, "which means 200 million tons of CO2 more than Germany's target." "The climate protection measures taken so far in all sectors are not sufficient... The climate targets for 2022 and 2023 may not be achieved." According to official data published in December last year, Germany's carbon emissions have fallen by 40% compared to 1990. Habeck said that Germany must cut another 25% to achieve its 2030 target. "To do this, we need to reduce emissions twice as fast and do more in a shorter time," Habeck said. Germany plans to take

2022-01-17

Schedule for carbon inventory audits for listed companies released; Financial Supervisory Commission pushes for ESG rating system

The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) recently announced that, in response to climate change and policies such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, it will soon release a "Sustainable Development Roadmap for Listed Companies." This plan will be implemented in phases, with the steel and cement industries prioritized in the first wave. They will be required to disclose greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. All listed companies will complete greenhouse gas inventories by 2027, and verification of these inventories by 2029. The goal is to connect listed companies with the supply chain to achieve corporate sustainability. On January 13, 2022, the FSC announced that it will soon release a "Sustainable Development Roadmap for Listed Companies," setting a timeline for greenhouse gas inventory disclosure for listed companies, with steel and cement prioritized for disclosure starting in 2023. The plan will also strengthen board sustainability responsibilities and promote an ESG assessment system for listed companies. The goal is to connect listed companies with the supply chain to achieve corporate sustainability. Zhang Zhenshan, Director of the Securities and Futures Bureau, stated that to address the impact of climate change, relevant policies are being actively promoted internationally. For example, the European Union proposed a "Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism" in July 2021, which plans to impose carbon tariffs on high-carbon-emitting products exported to the EU. Furthermore, to accelerate carbon reduction and strengthen climate change adaptation efforts, the Environmental Protection Administration has announced plans to amend the "Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act" to the "Climate Change Response Act." To help companies set their carbon reduction targets early, greenhouse gas inventories have become a top priority for companies. Therefore, the Financial Supervisory Commission is planning a phased schedule for listed companies to disclose greenhouse gas inventories.

2022-01-14

A waste removal machine that eats garbage is gaining traction in Sichuan, while environmental advocates urge plastic reduction at the source.

To prevent plastic waste from polluting the ocean, a variety of waterborne plastic waste removal devices are being developed. For example, a Dutch company has developed the "Great Bubble Barrier," a river waste removal system. This system uses a wall of bubbles perpendicular to the river's flow to push plastic waste toward a collector while allowing fish and other wildlife to pass through safely. Intercepting waste in rivers to prevent its spread and ocean pollution. The "Great Bubble Barrier" project, supported by the European Union's Maelstrom (Sustainable Removal and Management of Marine Litter) program, is currently operational in Amsterdam and is being tested in the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. The project team is developing a series of technologies to intercept waste in rivers and prevent it from reaching the ocean. Natural disasters such as tsunamis contribute to the drift of plastic waste into the ocean, but these disasters don't occur every day. Rivers are the more regular source of plastic waste entering the ocean. A 2017 study found that 90% of global marine plastic debris comes from 10 river systems: the Nile and Niger rivers in Africa, and eight rivers in Asia: the Ganges, Indus, Yellow River, Yangtze River, Haihe River, Pearl River, Mekong River, and Heilongjiang River. "Some communities don't have proper garbage collection services and just dump their trash into the river and let it float away," said Mo Morse, a scientist at the Benioff Ocean Initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and director of the university's Global Clean Streams Alliance.

2022-01-13

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