A group of 18 European Parliament Members have issued a statement officially calling for #Degrowth.
Here is part of what they wrote...
We believe that the current economic model, based on endless growth, has reached its limits.
Firstly, continuous economic growth, especially based on the consumption of fossil fuels, is leading to catastrophic global warming.
Secondly, the infinite pursuit of growth relies on the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of biodiversity, and the accumulation of waste and pollution. This also poses risks to our health, our economies, and our societies writ large.
Thirdly, the current economic model is contributing to social inequality and exclusion. The emphasis on economic growth has not translated into equal distribution of wealth or opportunities. Instead, it has resulted in a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few leaving many behind.
Fourthly, the current economic model is inherently unstable and prone to crises, as seen, for example, during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The pursuit of growth at all costs has created a global economic system that is fragile and vulnerable to shocks.
We need an economic system that prioritises human well-being and ecological sustainability over GDP growth, one that recognises that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible.
We also believe we need to find new ways of organising our economies without relying on the continuous exploitation of resources and the constant increase in production and consumption.
We call for more pluralism in economic thinking within EU institutions and for its alignment with the scientific evidence of climate, ecological, and social sciences.
We call for economic models and other decision-support tools to be more diverse, more comprehensive, and more readable for citizens.
We call for decision-making processes to be aligned with our common policy objectives rather than on the basis of the variation of GDP figures.
Names of those who signed on as co-authors: Philippe Lamberts (BE), Bas Eickhout (NL), Ville Niinisto (FI), Manuela Ripa (DE), Marie Toussaint (FR), Ernest Urtasun (ES), Kim Van Sparrentak (NL) — Greens/EFA; Manon Aubry (FR), Petros Kokkalis (EL), Marisa Matias (PT), Helmut Scholz (DE) — The Left (GUE/NGL); Pascal Durand (FR), Aurore Lalucq (FR), Pierre Larrouturou (FR) — Socialists & Democrats (S&D); Sirpa Pietikainen (FI), Maria Walsh (IE) — European People’s Party (EPP); Katalin CSEH (HU) — Renew Europe (RE); and Dino GIARRUSSO (IT) — Non-attached (NI).
There aren't enough swear words to express how angry this makes me!!
"Industrial Farming Has Killed Billions of Birds"
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Worldwide, 49% of all wild bird species are in steep decline.
BirdLife International’s authoritative report, State of the World’s Birds 2022, estimates that there are now nearly three billion fewer wild birds in Canada and the U.S. than a few decades ago, and about 600 million fewer in the European Union.
The single biggest cause of bird declines is chemical-intensive farming. Some birds are killed by pesticides or herbicides, but the most important impacts are loss of food, especially insects and other invertebrates that most bird species depend on, and the spread of fertilizer-intensive monocultures that eliminate shelter and nesting areas. Insect-eating populations declined more than any others.
In short, the collapse of farmland bird populations is closely related to the Insect Apocalypse in the Anthropocene. The mass slaughter of insects is killing masses of birds.
The editors of Scientific American have written an opinion piece saying we need to move away from #cars to #activetransport because of local & carbon #pollution, road crash death & injury and how it restricts access to life for so many- the young, the elderly, the poor & disabled. #ClimateCrisis#ClimateChange
Exclusive: Satellite analysis revealed to the Guardian shows farms devastated and nearly half of the territory’s trees razed. Alongside mounting air and water pollution, experts says Israel’s onslaught on Gaza’s ecosystems has made the area unlivable
"About 10% of the particles floating around the stratosphere now come from the aerospace industry, and we don't know if this could impact the climate."
Concerned about microplastics? Research shows one of the biggest sources is car tyres
A lot of the emphasis on reducing microplastics has focussed on things like plastic bags, clothing, and food packaging.
But there's a growing body of research that shows one of the biggest culprits by far is car tyres.
It's increasingly clear that we simply cannot solve the issue of microplastics in the environment while still using tyres — even with electric-powered cars.
"Tyre wear stands out as a major source of microplastic pollution. Globally, each person is responsible for around 1kg of microplastic pollution from tyre wear released into the environment on average each year – with even higher rates observed in developed nations.
"It is estimated that between 8% and 40% of these particles find their way into surface waters such as the sea, rivers and lakes through runoff from road surfaces, wastewater discharge or even through airborne transport.
"However, tyre wear microplastics have been largely overlooked as a microplastic pollutant. Their dark colour makes them difficult to detect, so these particles can’t be identified using the traditional spectroscopy methods used to identify other more colourful plastic polymers."
"Microplastic pollution has polluted the entire planet, from Arctic snow and Alpine soils to the deepest oceans. The particles can harbour toxic chemicals and harmful microbes and are known to harm some marine creatures. People are also known to consume them via food and water, and to breathe them, But the impact on human health is not yet known.
"“Roads are a very significant source of microplastics to remote areas, including the oceans,” said Andreas Stohl, from the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, who led the research. He said an average tyre loses 4kg during its lifetime. “It’s such a huge amount of plastic compared to, say, clothes,” whose fibres are commonly found in rivers, Stohl said. “You will not lose kilograms of plastic from your clothing.”"
"Microplastics are of increasing concern in the environment [1, 2]. Tire wear is estimated to be one of the largest sources of microplastics entering the aquatic environment [3,4,5,6,7]. The mechanical abrasion of car tires by the road surface forms tire wear particles (TWP) [8] and/or tire and road wear particles (TRWP), consisting of a complex mixture of rubber, with both embedded asphalt and minerals from the pavement [9]."
The penalties come after an investigation by The Desert Sun and ProPublica found that companies were profiting from illegal spills and California’s oversight of the industry was lax.
Funny isn't it, that people still pay good money for a cruise, because cruise once conjured notions of luxurious privilege, adventure and high culture, completely overlooking the fact that it now means a cell in a vast floating tenement block, the worst company imaginable and a good chance of noravirus or #COVID, only to leave a vast wake of pollution and environmental destruction behind them #ClimateCatastrophe#Pollution#Climate
I've heard some people suggest that instead of naming our modern era the Anthropocene, it should be called the Plasticocene.
Microplastics are becoming an increasing concern, as the tiny non-biodegradable particles — less than a fifth of an inch in size — are infiltrating our water supplies and posing a threat to environmental health.
Now, a study led by the University of Oldenburg in Germany has found a worrying source of microplastics: the air.
The study, conducted in collaboration with German and Norwegian researchers, took air samples in areas stretching from the Norwegian coastline to the Arctic.
After analyzing the samples, the researchers identified the types of plastic particles in the atmosphere, including polyester, polyethylene terephthalate — likely from the fashion industry — polypropylene polycarbonate, and polystyrene.
Debris from tires was also a significant source of microplastics.
The researchers believe plastic particles on the sea surface are being released into the atmosphere during storms via the spray caused by waves. It was also suggested that air bubbles on the surface that burst are contributors.
One way plastic finds its way to our oceans is through river systems, either from littering or inappropriate disposal. Additionally, some cosmetic products contain microplastics, which are often washed away by domestic drainage.
It’s unfortunately easy for fibers to escape from clothing, meaning they are likely passed into waterways’ drainage from household washing machines.
“These pollutants are ubiquitous,” said Isabel Goßmann, lead author of the study. “We find them even in remote polar regions.”
“Air #pollution is helping to drive rise in #antibiotics resistance that poses significant threat to human health worldwide..
The analysis, using data from more than 100 countries spanning nearly 2 decades, indicates that increased air pollution is linked with rising antibiotic resistance across every country & continent” #ClimateCrisis
You already know that plastics aren't being recycled, not to any significant extent. But there are some good details in this MIT article. It talks about some promising options for increasing reuse and recycling, talks about bioplastics, and notes the emergence of a company called "Perpetual" that's trying to stand up whole new circular systems for food packaging in 3 (soon to be 4) USA cities. Ultimately though, the tide of plastics can't be stemmed until polymer manufacturers, most of which are also oil extractors like Exxon, are forced to pay for the costs of pollution.
Coca-Cola by itself is responsible for 11% of all identifiable plastic pollution. Eleven percent! And they've fought tooth and nail against any legislation that makes them responsible for it.
"And if children are the chief concern, consider that Stockholm’s congestion system resulted in children’s acute asthma visits to the doctor falling by 50%. Five years into its program, London – which began in 2003 -- found that congestion zone residents gained nearly 2,000 years of life due to the reduction of fine particulate matter."
‘Ecocide in Gaza’: does scale of environmental destruction amount to a war crime? (www.theguardian.com)
Exclusive: Satellite analysis revealed to the Guardian shows farms devastated and nearly half of the territory’s trees razed. Alongside mounting air and water pollution, experts says Israel’s onslaught on Gaza’s ecosystems has made the area unlivable