Protect Our Winters’ Post

When vital data is cherry-picked or kept in siloes, we prevent the carbon visibility needed to reach #netzero. “Organizations of all sizes should put aside their competitive shields and begin collecting and sharing climate data and learnings. The earth depends on it." In an op-ed in TIME CO2, Normative's Dr. Alexander Schmidt makes the case for #carbon data collaborations between competitors and industries. Read more about how and why organizations should collaborate for #decarbonization in the TIME article: https://lnkd.in/dKdiB3ZB Learn how Normative’s Carbon Network provides the connective tissue between businesses: https://lnkd.in/dUUAQ8PA

Methane from landfills is detectable from space – and driving the climate crisis https://lnkd.in/eWEQE6iy Landfill trash is the third-largest source of human-caused methane pollution in the US. To fight global heating, curb waste An elusive climate menace is now easier than ever to see. In early March, a rocket launched into the sky with a satellite that spots methane emissions from space. MethaneSAT joined more than a dozen similar satellites now in orbit, scanning the Earth for pollution and feeding that information back to scientists, policymakers, industry, and the public. What story does the data tell? One of methane on the rise or one of collective efforts that avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis? Slashing methane is the most efficient way to slow global warming in our life-times. We have the chance – and the obligation – to do so. When we think of methane, we often picture leaking pipelines or belching cows. But trash, organic waste decomposing in landfills, is the third largest source of human-caused methane pollution in the US. Thanks to huge advances in technology, a new study has brought more clarity to the landfill methane problem than ever before. BBC: Exploding craters and overflowing landfills are unexpected sources of methane https://lnkd.in/eA_wJiKT A new methane-monitoring satellite is turning a powerful eye on methane from oil and gas, helping spot rogue emissions. But the scale of the methane challenge goes way beyond fossil fuels. Agriculture is the biggest anthropogenic source of methane worldwide, closely followed by leaks from oil and gas fields and remains a major climate blindspot. And while 60% of global methane emissions comes from human activities, the remaining 40% comes from natural sources, including permafrost and wet-lands, which are thawing rapidly and becoming increasingly waterlogged due to rising temperatures. Methane fuels 20-30% of the heating the planet has experienced to date. Although shorter-lived in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2), methane has a global warming impact more than 80 times higher than CO2 over a 20-year period. Here are some of the world's biggest hidden sources of this highly potent greenhouse gas. .

Human nature is a funny thing. We invest substantial resources in developing questionable mitigation technologies to address a crisis we create ourselves, rather than investing the same (or often fewer) resources in preventing the problem from occurring in the first place. Take, for example, this new carbon hoover erected in Iceland, celebrated as the 'world's largest vacuum to suck climate pollution.' At an investment of close to $1,000 per ton, the plant's capacity to capture 36,000 tons of carbon annually is equivalent to removing about 7,800 gas-powered cars from the roads each year. Sorry to burst the bubble, but this is nothing! It doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the global need. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), we need to reduce 70 million tons (!) of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement commitment. Comparing the capacity of this plant with its building and operating costs and its energy-intensive activity to the actual need provides us with a clear understanding that there are no magic solutions that can just vacuum away our mess. Further, such direct-air-capture (DAC) technologies are designed to address only carbon emissions and provide no solutions to other greenhouse gases such as methane, particulate pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as other impacts of the fossil fuel industry such as biodiversity loss, land use, and water contamination. Yet, it keeps being paraded as holding the promise for a carbon-neutral future and a cornerstone of climate action. This, of course, diverts resources and attention from moving toward renewable energy and materials and the political push required for shutting down fossil fuels altogether, providing a dangerous illusion that we can continue business as usual and some magic machines will come and vacuum it all away. As we all know very well by now, there are no magic solutions, and the best solution to a problem is to avoid creating it in the first place. https://lnkd.in/dZcjRS8p

Litter is an important source of soil organic carbon and in turn this can influence greenhouse gas emissions. In this study by Yue Fan and colleagues in the inaugural issue of Cell Reports Sustainability, they perform a meta-analysis of global soil GHG emissions in response to litter changes. They find that impacts can be affected by ecosystem type, climate, soil pH, litter type. They also observe that litter removal greatly reduces CO2 and N20 emissions.

By 2040, the climate benefit from the forest industry should increase by 30 percent, and SCA, as Europe's largest private forest owner, plays a crucial role in this. The path to this goal, set by the Swedish Forest Industries, involves three main areas: expanding and growing forest holdings, increasing substitution benefits, and systematically working to reduce fossil emissions throughout the value chain. Read more about this work via the link below. This news was published in SCA's newsletter. Would you like to subscribe to the newsletter as well? Follow this link: https://lnkd.in/dYR2br8g

Well worth reading. Very clear scientific evidence that the regeneration of ocean health has to work in harmony with the net zero carbon emission targets. If not, the climate change affect on the planet will not be mitigated. Here is a short summary which I gleaned from this report with a definitive explanation. ‘The oceans are almost entirely responsible for climate change. The SML (Surface Micro Layer) attracts toxic forever, lipophilic chemicals, microplastics and hydrophobic black carbon soot from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Concentrations of toxic chemicals are 500 times higher in this SML layer than in the underlying water. Toxic forever chemicals combined with submicron and microplastic particles and black carbon particulates are known to be toxic to plankton. Marine primary productivity or phytoplankton photosynthesis may have declined by as much as 50% since the 1950s.’ Read on for more important info…> Plastic Soup Foundation Irene Dros Maria Westerbos are highly active in campaigning against the microplastics contribution to the degraded SML in the oceans.

Almost 200 years of knowledge about climate change, and we’re still in the fight! - Almost 200 years ago, the term “greenhouse effect” was introduced, and Earth’s energy balance was recognized as a key factor for the climate. Since then, we’ve made significant progress: - Almost 150 years ago, the properties of greenhouse gases were measured for the first time. - More than 100 years ago, the effects of CO₂ increase on temperature were calculated. - More than 55 years ago, we formulated the first modern models of radiative transfer and circulation. - More than 25 years ago, we began to apply global climate models with greater accuracy. Despite all this knowledge and warnings, we keep talking and sharing the message, but it’s still not enough to avoid a climate catastrophe. Are we doing enough? Here are some steps we can all take to make a difference: 1. Transition to renewable energy: Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is key. Companies and governments must invest more in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources. 2. Adopt sustainable consumption habits: From reducing plastic use to choosing local products with a smaller carbon footprint, every decision counts. 3. Encourage reforestation and conservation: Trees are fundamental allies in capturing carbon. Supporting reforestation projects or reducing deforestation is vital. 4. Promote ambitious climate policies: As citizens, we can pressure our governments and leaders to adopt stricter policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions. 5. Incorporate sustainability into businesses: Companies play a key role in the fight against climate change. Including sustainable practices at every stage of production can make a big difference. This is an urgent call to action. We already have the knowledge, now we must use it to protect our future and that of the next generations. *Inspired by a friend in Warsaw! #ClimateChange #Sustainability #ClimateScience #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy

IMPORTANT OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT. The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to support life. However, human activities have intensified this effect by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). This enhanced greenhouse effect is leading to global warming and climate change, which can cause severe weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture. To mitigate the greenhouse effect, we can take several actions: 1. Reduce Emissions: Limit the release of greenhouse gases by transitioning to renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, hydro), improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner transportation methods. 2. Increase Energy Efficiency: Implement energy-saving practices in homes, industries, and transportation to reduce overall energy consumption and emissions. 3. Promote Reforestation: Plant trees and protect forests to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and enhance carbon sequestration. 4. Support Sustainable Practices: Encourage sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and conservation efforts to lower the carbon footprint. 5. Adopt Climate Policies: Advocate for and support government policies and international agreements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. 6. Foster Innovation: Invest in and develop new technologies and practices that reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability. By taking these steps, we can help mitigate the impact of the greenhouse effect and work towards a more stable and sustainable climate.

When people start talking to us about getting their #environmental certification sorted out or kick starting thier #ESG journey they always know about CO2, bit not about the other things to consider. This is a great blog from EcoOnline Global about greenhouse gases to help you start considering all of the GHG's you need to be looking at.

If you drink the corporate Kool-Aid, you just might think that #climatechange and #pollution can be blamed on you and your friends—for driving too much, or failing to recycle, or using a gas stove. That was the myth promulgated almost 25 years ago, when #BigOil introduced the carbon calculator to shift the blame from industry, where it largely belongs, to us. Yet the carbon calculator can play a role in protecting the planet, and in this enlightening piece journalist Victoria Clayton explains how. https://lnkd.in/e9hD4WdM #carbonfootprint #climatecrisis #climateemergency