Sunny climate, stormy climate | Weekly News Digest #39
Catastrophic floods in Eastern Europe, Indian agriculture's plastic problem and the the first 'Nature envoy' of the UK
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. ‘Catastrophic floods’ in Europe
Climate scientists say they are troubled by the damage but unsurprised by the intensity. “The catastrophic rainfall hitting central Europe is exactly what scientists expect with climate change,” said Joyce Kimutai, of Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute.
What is happening?
Storm Boris has hit several countries in Eastern and Central Europe bringing months worth of rain in a few days and causing one of the worst flooding in decades in the region.
Flooding has devastated parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Austria this week, leaving at least 21 people dead.
Poland: More than 5000 soldiers have been deployed and 40,000 people evacuated, the country has declared a month long state of natural disaster
Budapest: The Danube is expected to rise to 8.5 meter (way above the danger level of 2.5 m)
Austria: River Wien is flooded, several districts without power
Flooding is expected in Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Italy in the coming days
Why does this matter?
The flooding has been caused by torrential rain and snow brought about by Storm Boris that formed as the cold air from the North mixed with moisture drawn up from the unusually warm waters of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The warming climate (due to long term climate change) has meant that the frequency and intensity of such events has increased. On average, the intensity of heavy precipitation events increases by 7% for each degree of global warming.
Scientists are unsurprised at intensity of extreme weather but say damage wreaked shows how unprepared world is
This is not the only part of the world seeing flood right now. We have seen devastating floods around the world last week when entire villages were submerged in Myanmar and nearly 300 prisoners escape a collapsed jail in Nigeria, where floods have affected more than 1 million people.
Sources for further reading
2. Indian agriculture has a plastic problem!
What are we talking about?
Plasticulture refers to the application of plastics in the agricultural sector.
Where is plastic used?
On the farm: Plastic is used in mulch films, shade nets, polyhouses, irrigation pipes, pond liners, and storage silos.
Packaging: Plastics are used to pack seeds and fertilisers in single-use plastic sachets, sacks and plastic containers
Fertilizers and pesticides: They are also found in polymer-coated agrochemicals.
Polymer mulch of 15 to 30 micron thickness is among the fastest growing technologies of plasticulture. It is used in about 90% of “protected agriculture”, the cultivation of high-value horticulture crops in greenhouses.
A 5 acre farm may use as much as a 12 km single use plastic mulching sheet every season!
Why do farmers use plastics?
Plastic mulching is economical, it suppresses weed growth and reduces cost of labour significantly.
Adverse climatic events have increased the popularity of plastic use in India, say Indian agricultural scientists. “Plasticulture technology like micro irrigation with mulching helps farmers combat situations such as heat waves”
Why does this matter?
Impact on health: Microplastic accumulate in soil and water and eventually reach us through the food we eat. 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.
Impact on the soil: Over time, the use of plastics can diminish soil porosity and hinder air circulation. It also has the capacity to alter microbial communities, thereby reducing farmland fertility.
Fossil fuel origins: 99% plastics come from refining petrochemicals
Waste management: Many farmers burn the plastic mulch films after use, oblivious of the pollutants they are releasing into the air, soil and water in the process.
Sources for further reading
What can ‘I’ do? 😎
In this, I bring to you a simple action you can do as a step towards leading a more sustainable life
Say no to disposable cutlery!
Plastic cutlery is very hard to recycle because of the mix of plastics used and the shape. Even the ‘biodegradable’ options you get are not really great. They can’t be really be composted at home, only in an industrial composting facility and take a lot of energy to be created in the first place.
You can be part of the solution by opting out of disposable cutlery when ordering online. Most apps already give you that choice and if not, you can add an instruction. If you’re on the go, bring your own cutlery. Simply pack a fork or chopsticks inside your bag and roll it up in a cloth to keep it clean.
🌞 Sunny news 🌞
3. UK to appoint its first ‘Nature envoy’ and get its ‘climate envoy’ back
What are we talking about?
The UK government has announced that it will appoint a special envoy for Nature for the first time.
It will also appoint a new climate envoy, after the Rishi Sunak government abolished the post over a year ago.
This is part of the country’s efforts to put itself at the centre of global efforts to tackle the world’s ecological crises
The two new envoys are expected to work closely together, under the foreign secretary to coordinate cross-government work on international nature and climate issues.
Why does this matter?
Appointing a special envoy to deal with both nature and climate change sends a clear signal that they’re both priorities for this government
The move has delighted environmental campaigners, who were concerned by the last government’s downgrading of the UK’s role in international climate and nature talks. Rishi Sunak snubbed key climate meetings while prime minister and abolished the post of climate envoy, seen by many as a backward step.
Sources for further reading
Sailee’s climate picks
Every week, 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:
Is the world running out of coffee by Finshots
You can also hear it as a podcast.
You can read previous editions of the newsletter -
Sunny climate, stormy climate | Weekly Digest #38
Sunny climate, stormy climate | News Digest #37
Sunny climate, stormy climate | News Digest #36
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Really lovely digest!
What is your perspective on using biofilm alternatives to plastics used in farms?