Watch 1PM Weekly News - March 4th, 2024
This week Nicki covers 5 sustainable news stories from Chicago is suing oil & gas companies over climate change to new species discovered by a deep-sea robot.
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Chicago is Suing Oil & Gas Companies Over Climate Change
Chicago's move to sue major fossil fuel companies, including BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute highlights a growing trend of legal action targeting companies that are allegedly responsible for contributing to the climate crisis. The lawsuit claims that these companies were intentionally deceptive about the climate impacts of their products, citing shoreline erosion, flooding, and heat-related deaths. Supported by organizations like the Center for Climate Integrity, the lawsuit is seen as a pivotal step in holding big oil accountable for its role in exacerbating climate change. While defendants argue against litigation, emphasizing the need for policy-driven solutions, Chicago officials maintain that legal action is necessary to drive progress on climate change and ensure justice for affected communities. The city is seeking unspecified monetary compensation for climate damage. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for climate policy and corporate accountability.
New Species Discovered by Deep-Sea Robot
Next, Deep-sea exploration off the coast of Chile reveals over 100 potential new species, while also showcasing the success of ocean protections. Researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute discovered diverse ecosystems across 10 sea-mounts, providing strong evidence of the Chilean government's effective biodiversity conservation efforts. Utilizing underwater robots, scientists collected specimens from depths exceeding 14,000 feet. Analysis of the animals' body structure and genes in labs will confirm whether these creatures are truly new species. The expedition, led by Javier Sellanes from Universidad Católica del Norte, uncovered a treasure trove of marine life, including ghostly sponges, sea stars, sea lilies, and peculiar-looking lobsters. Exploration extended to marine parks and international waters, where ocean advocates aim to protect submarine mountains from overfishing and deep-sea mining by establishing a new marine protected area under a United Nations treaty. This discovery underscores the global push to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 to curb biodiversity loss.
Climate Disasters Displaced Millions of Americans
The Census Bureau reports that an estimated 2.5 million Americans were displaced by weather-related disasters in 2023. Noted in the report are significant challenges faced by those who were affected, such as food shortages and potential fraud, underscoring the urgent need to prepare for the human impact of extreme weather events. The data, collected through the Household Pulse Survey, sheds light on disparities in displacement outcomes, with marginalized communities such as Black, Latino, and low-income individuals facing greater challenges and longer periods of displacement. Hurricanes, floods, and fires emerged as the primary drivers, impacting states like Florida, Texas, California, and Louisiana. Accurately assessing the long-term effects and true number of permanently displaced individuals remains the toughest challenge, particularly for marginalized communities with limited political power. Elizabeth Fussell, a professor of population studies at Brown University said quote “There are many federal agencies that are very well aware that climate change is happening and that it will manifest as weather-related disasters”. Federal agencies are now receiving pressure to recognize and address the escalating impact of climate change-related disasters on vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate future crises and support affected communities.
The North Face is Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
North Face, the large apparel brand, is leading the charge to integrate regenerative agriculture into its sustainability strategy, setting a bold goal to source 100% of its leading apparel fabrics from regeneratively grown sources by 2025. This commitment underscores the company's dedication to positively impacting nature and its resources by focusing the company’s strategy on 4 interconnected pillars, which are materials, packaging, circularity, and suppliers. Regenerative agriculture, focusing on soil health and harmoniously coexisting with nature, stands in stark contrast to conventional industrial practices. By embracing regenerative practices, The North Face addresses longstanding environmental challenges associated with cotton and rubber production. For cotton, historically plagued by water-intensive cultivation and extensive pesticide use, regenerative approaches prioritize soil health and biodiversity through practices like cover cropping and crop rotation. Similarly, regenerative rubber cultivation aims to mitigate deforestation, biodiversity loss, and adverse community impacts through agroforestry and ecosystem preservation. Collaborative efforts with stakeholders, NGOs, and industry partners, alongside peer-to-peer education programs for farmers, are amplifying the impact of these initiatives, propelling the transition towards a circular economy and fostering a sustainable future.
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Power Plants Built in 2024 will Use Clean Energy
In 2024, the U.S. power industry will experience a monumental shift towards clean energy, with solar and battery storage dominating new capacity initiatives. With financial incentives and declining costs, this new trend underscores the profound transition towards renewables and batteries. Fossil fuel constitutes a mere 4% of new power plant capacity, signaling a departure from traditional energy sources. Despite gas and coal's significant role in electricity production, renewable capacity expansion is steadily squeezing out fossil fuel production. This year's record-breaking solar and battery installations, which doubled from the previous year, exemplify the renewable era's ascension. While gas and coal still contribute substantially to the energy mix, each year of increasing renewable capacity puts the U.S. closer to displacing these sources entirely. The dominance of clean energy in new power plant construction heralds a significant milestone, but continued efforts are imperative to propel the clean energy transition forward and mitigate environmental impacts.