"Florida will eliminate climate change as a priority in making energy policy decisions, despite the threats it faces from hurricanes, extreme heat and toxic algae blooms.
On Wednesday, the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, signed the legislation, which is set to go into effect on July 1. The measure also removes references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on gas pipelines."
The 2021 "bipartisan infrastructure law" has turned into a bonanza for #climate - heating highway projects. MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren's new Build Green Act would allocate at least $150 billion for fixed-route public transportation projects like subways, light rail and bus rapid transit systems:
A blistering heat wave has been toasting Asia for several weeks, resulting in hundreds of deaths and canceling schools across the region. A scientist for the World Weather Attribution, a meteorological research group, says only human-caused climate change could be responsible for the increased probability of extreme heat in places like the Philippines. “The heat wave exacerbated already precarious conditions faced by internally displaced people, migrants and those in refugee camps and conflict zones across West Asia,” the organization said in a new study. Read more from CBS News.
"Disasters do not inflict damage equally. And adding insult to literal injury, the most ill-equipped communities when it comes to #climate disasters are almost always ones without #newspapers. “Folks were already struggling and now they don’t know where to turn, who to talk to,” she said. “That leaves a huge, huge hole for industries or politicians or other players to feed them misinformation or accidentally give inaccurate information.”"
"Herd of 170 bison could help store CO2 equivalent of almost 2m cars, researchers say. Free-roaming animals reintroduced in Romania’s Țarcu mountains are stimulating plant growth & securing carbon stored in the soil while grazing-."
A fun climate adaptation update from the world of roofing construction:
-blue roofs, which are designed to retain water. New to me. One must design roof deck to hold greater loads, of course, but this is going to be a requirement across the board regardless of whether one builds a blue roof or not, just because of increased storm severity. Anyway, the water retained on a blue roof can be directed inside to water plants or, I suppose, flush toilets. Or it can be released into the storm drain system, but slowly, thus reducing local flooding. Stored water can insulate and it can actively cool a building during hot weather as it evaporates.
-green roofs, you've probably heard about them, it's a roof with plants on top! Also requires increased load-bearing capacity. Can be challenging to maintain, especially during dry weather. But the advantages: insulation and cooling, reduction in flooding and in air pollution impacts. When paired with solar panels, they can increase the efficiency of electricity generation, since photovoltaic panels don't love operating in high heat.
-the simplest roofing climate intervention: changing the color of the roofing membrane or shingles from dark to light. A simple increase in albedo can decrease temperatures in the vicinity 1 - 2 C.
"The legislation would create a 25-year dedicated fund of $3 billion annually, financed by big #FossilFuel corporations, with one-third of the funds reserved specifically for disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by the #climate crisis.
The vote comes one week after the Senate passed the Climate Change Superfund Act by a vote of 43-17. The bill now heads to the Ways & Means Committee."
MSM is focused on #TFG. He's not in court today, they could cover how Rs are passing laws that jeopardize the health & lives of IMGs/POC/Women/LGBTQ ppl...
#DeathSantis hid behind closed doors when signing the bill.
"Modern politics: Death of Shame, politicians -no longer shamed of behavior that'd humiliate most decent souls. FL makes it illegal to guarantee shade & water to outdoor WKRS. Recently a FL farm worker died from heat exhaustion."
If you like bullies, let us introduce you to @exxonmobil.
"Exxon Mobil’s punitive lawsuit only hints at the lengths that the fossil fuel industry will go to preserve a business model facing an inexorable decline." #climatechange#climate#fossilfuels
Once again, the UK has the potential to be at the forefront of an innovative industry - the technologies that will foster/accelerate the move to net zero & underpin the green transition.
However, if you're familiar with the history of British technology enterprises over the last 100 years, you will (perhaps rightly) know to expect this advantage will be squandered by a lack of investment, short-termism & the preference of financial services to invest abroad.
"Ocean temperatures are currently hovering around the levels they typically reach in late July — and they’re likely to continue rising as the summer goes on."
UK Food Industry & Government Figures Form Group to Tackle Climate Risks
In the UK, food industry heads and the government have agreed to meet for a series of discussions about the impact of the climate crisis on the food supply chain
Automakers Continue To Lobby For Global Heating, Against EVs
We've turned a big corner when it comes to electrification of the auto industry. Just 5–10 years ago, automakers were largely laughing at electric cars
Nagaland: Climate-related disasters up 200 per cent across state
Climate-related disasters in Nagaland have seen a 200% increase from 2018 to 2021, according to the Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2023. The report highlights the grave implications of climate change on agriculture and calls for resilient farming practices