Sunny climate, stormy climate | Weekly News Digest #35
The dumbest climate conversation of all times, a new study that found microplastics in sugar and salt brands in India and how Sweden reduced 80% of its emissions while doubling its economy!
Hello folks! Welcome to your weekly dose of climate where I bring to you 3 climate stories, 1 climate action and 1 climate content reco!
⛈️ Stormy news ⛈️
1. Trump and Musk have “The dumbest climate conversation of all times”
What are we talking about?
Elon Musk interviewed US presidential candidate Donald Trump in an interview on X in what has been dubbed as the ‘dumbest climate conversation’ of all times
Trump and Musk’s discussion on the climate crisis, “spelunked down into entirely new levels of stupidity”, according to Bill McKibben, a veteran climate activist
What were some things they said and how do they stand against facts?
Trump said the rising sea levels will have the benefit of creating more 'oceanfront property'
This is just factually wrong, if you think about it for even two seconds: a rising ocean clearly reduces the amount of oceanfront property.
Musk said “I don't think we should vilify the oil and gas industry. Obviously my view is like, we do over time wanna move to a sustainable energy economy because eventually you do run out of, I mean, you run out of oil and gas.”
This indicates that we have a lot of time to stop using fossil fuels and the only reason to do it is because we will run out of oil and gas, which is not in line with what climate scientists believe and what IPCC reports have stated
Musk also indicated that we should be concerned only when CO2 levels exceeded 1000 ppm, from currently at 400 ppm
The historic level of co2, for all of human civilization prior to the Industrial Revolution, was about 275 parts per million. It’s now at about 420 parts per million, an increase of 50%. There is not a serious climate scientist on planet earth who has ever contemplated a thousand parts per million with anything less than panic and horror.
Trump also asked something absurd like 'why do we not talk about nuclear warming’ and said he did not understand why Biden had not allowed more drilling in Alaska and vowed to reverse a lot of Biden's climate policies if he comes into office.
Why does this matter?
This was a conversation between two pretty important people - both of whom are probably one of the richest people in history and one of them is a former and possibly future president of the USA.
This will be heard by millions of people and hence will end up spreading dangerous misinformation if not called out.
Sources for further reading
2. Microplastics found in all salt and sugar brands in India
What are we talking about?
According to research published by Toxic Links, a Delhi based NGO all packaged salt and sugar brands in India contain microplastics.
This study analysed 10 salt brands and five sugar brands, and found microplastics ranging from 6.71 pieces per kilogram to 89.15 pieces per kilogram in them.
Why does this matter?
Today, there are microplastics and nanoplastics all around us — in every corner of the world, inside every living being, in the air we breathe, and the water we drink. This study is just another finding in an already long and surprising series.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic ranging in size from five millimetres to one micrometres.
Microplastics can be extremely harmful to human health. Studies on microplastic accumulation in the body have shown an association with cardiovascular health problems resulting in heart attacks or strokes. They have also shown that they could be carcinogenic, with particles smaller than one micrometre having been found inside cancer cells.
Sources for further reading
What can ‘I’ do? 😎
This is a new section that will bring to you a simple action you can do as a step towards leading a more sustainable life
Use public transport!
Cars are a big source of emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Using public transport (be it trains or buses) is a big lever in helping reducing emissions. The per person emissions from buses or trains can be as low as 1-10% compared to fuel based cars!
🌞 Sunny news 🌞
3. Sweden’s success story: Cut 80% of its emissions from 1990 level while doubling its economy!
What are we talking about?
Sweden has reduced its net GHG emissions by 80% compared to 1990. The average reduction in EU has been only 30% in the same period.
Sweden, a heavily industrialized country which produces steel, cement and cars, has managed to do this — while also growing its economy twofold.
How has Sweden done this?
Renewable energy: Almost 70% of Sweden's electricity comes from renewables, especially hydropower and wind. The rest of its electricity demand is met by nuclear power. This means their greenhouse gas emissions for electricity production are almost zero right now.
Decarbonizing heat production: Sweden invested in district heating systems early on, which are more efficient. This means that instead of having a heater in each home, you build big, centralized heaters that are connected to many houses and industrial areas through insulated pipes and underground infrastructure. They are more expensive, but offer 2 advantages
They are more efficient
It is easier to shift them from fossil fuels to other forms of fuel. Today, 97% of the heating in Sweden comes from biofuels and burning waste.
Strong policies, giving people and businesses incentives
Sweden introduced one of the world's first — and by now one of the world's highest — carbon taxes, charging individuals for the carbon dioxide they emit.
Sweden has one of the strictest climate targets in the world - net zero by 2045
Sources for further reading
Sailee’s climate picks
This is a new section where I’ll bring to you 1 piece of climate content I’d like to recommend that could be books, article, podcasts, movies etc.
This week’s recommendation is:
This is a 3 minute letter of a father apologizing to his kids for what the world has become and what it could have been had we acted in time.
You can read previous editions of the newsletter -
Sunny climate, stormy climate | News Digest #34
Sunny climate, stormy climate | News Digest #33
Sunny climate, stormy climate | News Digest #32
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Great post, as usual! I lived in the US before, where I had a car, and I live in Switzerland now, where I don't; I use public transport. If a city is well designed, getting around by public transport is indeed quite pleasant. It does take a bit more time, but is way cheaper and saves on the hassle of finding parking and maintaining the car. The carbon offsets are a big plus too. Another advantage of moving to Europe from the US is that my carbon emissions from India trips is a lot lower too :)
Love the “action you can take” section. At least from an Indian pov, it would have been fun to get stats on 3W too. Since choosing between an auto and a taxi is often a decision I am trying to make.