Winds can become 600 times more powerful</h1> <article> <h1>Winds can become 600 times more powerful</h1> <p>fjost — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 21:18:07 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Winds can become 600 times more powerful</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-11-07T13:18:07-08:00" title="Thursday, November 7, 2019 - 13:18" class="datetime">Thu, 11/07/2019 - 13:18</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="text-align:justify; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Nowadays, <strong>offshore wind</strong> provides only 0.3% of global power generation. However, the last International Energy Agency’s (IEA) <a href="https://www.iea.org/offshorewind2019/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Offshore Wind Outlook</a> report concluded that it could meet the world’s demand for electricity <strong>18 times over</strong>!</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Driven by <strong>declining installation costs, outstanding technological progress, and supportive government policies</strong>, the report indicates that cumulative investments in the offshore wind industry could reach the $1 trillion mark by 2040, <a href="https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2019/october/offshore-wind-to-become-a-1-trillion-industry.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">increasing their current global capacity</a> 15-fold. What is more, the previous is expected to grow far more strongly with stepped-up support from policy makers.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">With over a third of the global capacity, <a href="https://www.power-technology.com/features/wind-energy-by-country/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">China is currently the world leader in wind energy</a>. The same cannot be said when looking at offshore wind technology, where they are positioned as third on the global scale, just behind the UK and Germany (see below). Nonetheless, China is leading the world as the <a href="https://theenergymix.com/2019/10/27/wind-power-could-meet-global-electricity-needs-18-times-over/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">fastest growing</a> expansion of offshore wind and <a href="http://www.bjreview.com/Business/201801/t20180115_800114306.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">overall renewable energy power-generation capacity</a> (<strong>with 40% of the world’s total increment</strong>)!</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"> </p> <p align="center" class="text-align-center" style="text-align:center; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><a href="https://gwec.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GWEC-Global-Wind-Report-2018.pdf" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Top 10 countries with installed offshore wind power capacity</a>:</strong></span></span></p> <table align="center" class="Table" style="width:375.0pt; border:undefined" width="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <table class="Table" height="445" width="436"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Rank</span></strong></span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Country</span></strong></span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">2016</span></strong></span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">2017</span></strong></span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">2018</span></strong></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">United Kingdom</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">5,156</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">6,651</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">7,963</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">2</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Germany</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">4,108</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">5,411</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">6,380</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">3</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">China</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,627</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">2,788</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">4,588</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">4</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Denmark</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,271</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,268</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,329</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">5</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Belgium</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">712</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">877</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,186</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">6</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Netherlands</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,118</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,118</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1,118</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">7</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Sweden</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">202</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">202</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">192</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">8</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Vietnam</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">99</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">99</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">99</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">9</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">South Korea</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">35</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">38</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">73</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">10</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Finland</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">32</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">92</span></span></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt; margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">87</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p style="margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>The road to become the 1st carbon neutral capital in the World</h1> <p>fjost — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:09:13 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The road to become the 1st carbon neutral capital in the World</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-10-17T13:09:13-07:00" title="Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 13:09" class="datetime">Thu, 10/17/2019 - 13:09</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Copenhagen 2025 Climate Plan</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">In spite of its expected 20% population growth in the next decade, </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">the city of </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Copenhagen is aiming to be the <b>first carbon neutral capital by 2025.</b> While other cities in the world are also trying to move forward in creating a more sustainable future, most have longer-term emission reduction targets and are failing to keep them on track.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">However, this is not the case in Copenhagen. So, how are they doing it?</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">After the UN Climate Change Conference in 2009, which took place in Copenhagen, the city set a goal of 20% carbon emissions reduction by 2015 in their <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.energycommunity.org/documents/copenhagen.pdf" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Copenhagen Climate Plan</a></span></span>. This action plan included 50 climate initiatives requiring a <b>large upfront investment</b>. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Their goal was reached soon after in 2011, and in 2012, the city council adopted an ambitious new Climate Plan (<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/index.asp?mode=detalje&id=931" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">CPH 2025 Climate Plan</a></span></span>) which <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><b><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/11/inside-copenhagens-race-to-be-the-first-carbon-neutral-city" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">aims for carbon neutrality by 2025</a></b></span></span><b>.</b> </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The new climate plan was based on <b>four pillars</b>:</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">• Energy Consumption</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">• Energy Production</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">• Mobility</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">• City Administration Initiatives</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">They identified reduction on energy consumption as the <b>cheapest way to cut emissions</b> (from an economic perspective). Whereas the <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://carbonneutralcities.org/cities/copenhagen/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">production of electricity and heat is their largest source</a></span></span> of CO2 emissions. With only six years left, the city has been investing in replacing their coal, oil and natural gas energy sources with renewable energy mainly from new windmills, biomass heat and power plants, as well as solar panels.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> Since 2005,</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> their carbon emissions have </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">been <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://carbonneutralcities.org/cities/copenhagen/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">reduced by 42%</a></span></span>. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> The city’s <b>holistic approach</b> and the <b>short-term phased implementation</b> (2013-2016, 2017-2020 and 2021-2025) included evaluations in between phases which are considered their <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><b><a href="https://urbandevelopmentcph.kk.dk/artikel/cph-2025-climate-plan" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">key success factors</a></b></span></span>. Collaboration with both the State and the private sector, and specifically <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://carbonneutralcities.org/cities/copenhagen/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">partnerships with private building owners and businesses</a>,</span></span> were also mentioned as a <b>key reason for reaching </b>their energy saving goals.</span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>Putting a price on carbon is working! Look at these 6 examples</h1> <p>fjost — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:46:40 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Putting a price on carbon is working! Look at these 6 examples</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-09-30T11:46:40-07:00" title="Monday, September 30, 2019 - 11:46" class="datetime">Mon, 09/30/2019 - 11:46</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Despite what you may find amid the myriads of comments in social media on climate change policies, carbon pricing has been working for a long time. <a href="https://ecofiscal.ca/">Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission</a> recently released a <a href="https://ecofiscal.ca/six-places-carbon-pricing-working/">study revealing six places</a> where carbon pollution pricing works.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Here are 6 examples where carbon pricing is working:</strong></p> <p><strong>1. What:</strong> Since 2008 fuel use dropped by at least 7% per capita + Residential natural gas reduced by 7% per capita + Reduced diesel use by 3.3%<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> British Columbia, Canada<br><br> <strong>How:</strong> Carbon tax</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>2. What:</strong> 20% less emissions from electricity generation + US$ 5 Billion avoided costs in healthcare + generated 40 000 jobs-hours.<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> Northeastern United States (10 states, including New York & Massachusetts).<br><br> <strong>How:</strong> Cap-and-trade.</p> <p> </p> <p>3. <strong>What:</strong> Since 1991, reduced carbon emissions by 25% in the first 10 years + Lowest emission per GDP and 2nd lowest per capita in the European Union + Encourage use of low-carbon fuel (4x biofuel use in 5 years)<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> Sweden<br><br> <strong>How: </strong>the <a href="https://ecofiscal.ca/2018/04/11/carbon-pricing-works-in-sweden/">highest carbon tax in the world</a> at €120 per tonne of CO2</p> <p> </p> <p>4. <strong>What:</strong> UK emissions are at their lowest since 1890 (down 34% sine 2005) + Almost eliminated use of coal from electricity mix + potentially €3.6 Billion avoided costs annually in healthcare.<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> United Kingdom<br><br> <strong>How:</strong> Carbon price “floor” in 2013 (carbon tax of 9£/ton CO2; now 18£/ton CO2) + joined the European Union’s emissions trading system in 2005</p> <p> </p> <p>5. <strong>What:</strong> > 70% of buildings met 2020 targets <a href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2016/06/tokyos-urban-cap-and-trade-program-soars-past-goals">by 2013</a> + a total of 23% reduced emissions in building sector (20% of Tokyo’s total carbon emissions)<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> Tokyo<br><br> <strong>How:</strong> World’s 1st cape-and-trade focused on urban buildings (1,300 of its largest buildings pay a price on carbon)</p> <p> </p> <p>6. <strong>What:</strong> Emission reduction of 8% since 2013 + Firms increased by 10% investments in low-carbon innovation<br><br> <strong>Where:</strong> European Union<br><br> <strong>How: </strong>Cap-and-trade system since 2005, the world's largest carbon market with 31 countries.</p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>Over 99% of climate scientists have no doubts that humans are causing global warming</h1> <p>fjost — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:20:45 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Over 99% of climate scientists have no doubts that humans are causing global warming</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-08-12T12:20:45-07:00" title="Monday, August 12, 2019 - 12:20" class="datetime">Mon, 08/12/2019 - 12:20</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The “debate” is over. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/40969298@N05/15188068607" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Source: Joe Brusky</a></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A 2013 study (<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://mashable.com/article/climate-change-consensus-landmark-study/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">following a 2004 study</a></span></span>), quantifying the consensus on the link between anthropogenic greenhouse emissions and global warming, found that <a href="https://skepticalscience.com/97-consensus-study-hits-million-downloads.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">97% of studies agreed humans were causing global warming</a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue"><span style="text-decoration:underline">. As of last week, it</span></span> reached over <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/024024" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">1 million downloads</a></span></span>. However, up until last year, approximately 10% of Canadians believed that climate change is a theory that <a href="https://www.citynews1130.com/2018/11/30/poll-canadians-climate-change/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">has not been proven and another 20% believed it is was a result of natural causes</a>. Furthermore, an Angus Reid poll found that people’s belief in scientists was heavily impacted by to their political beliefs. It found that an average of 78% of Canadians believed scientists, while only <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://angusreid.org/climate-change-beliefs/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">56% of the Conservative (CPC) voters trusted scientists at universities</a></span></span> in 2018. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">While the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding of global warming and/or people believing in scientists at universities - at least in Canada - is still considerable, recent studies are trying to close this gap. The latest research along with historical data has helped clear up remaining uncertainties of the effect of anthropogenic greenhouse emissions on climate change. Therefore, evidence has become truly unequivocal and <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/24/scientific-consensus-on-humans-causing-global-warming-passes-99" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">consensus is likely to have surpassed the 99% barrier among climate scientists</a></span></span>!</span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>How much more (and for how long)?</h1> <p>fjost — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:05:18 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">How much more (and for how long)?</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-08-07T11:05:18-07:00" title="Wednesday, August 7, 2019 - 11:05" class="datetime">Wed, 08/07/2019 - 11:05</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Global energy consumption. Source: <a href="https://www.nationalobserver.com/sites/nationalobserver.com/files/styles/body_img/public/img/2019/07/24/bp-global-energy-annual.jpg?itok=z-S8azEk" target="_blank">National Observer & BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019</a></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Despite a rise in renewable energy, global energy production from fossil fuels keeps breaking records. <a href="https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/07/31/opinion/fossil-fuel-burning-leaps-new-record-crushing-clean-energy-and-climate-efforts" text-decoration:underline>50% of all fossil fuels burned in human history has taken place since 1990</a>, just before the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated and ratified, and despite many understanding the threat that these pollutants posed to the environment. Sadly, this trend has not come to an end yet, as the burning of both oil and gas keeps setting new records.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Increases in the burning of fossil fuels is still four times higher than growth in renewable energy production. However, we are optimistic that renewables will soon close production growth gap, <a href="https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2019.html" target="_blank">in spite of recent trends</a>. As clean energy generation records are being set, the number of workers employed in the renewable energy sector has grown up to over <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/11-million-renewable-jobs-global-solar-wind-employment-df60d66f4cfe/" target="_blank">11 million, showing a steady increase over the years</a>. </span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>Are insurance companies willing to risk it all?</h1> <p>fjost — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 19:10:17 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Are insurance companies willing to risk it all?</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-08-05T12:10:17-07:00" title="Monday, August 5, 2019 - 12:10" class="datetime">Mon, 08/05/2019 - 12:10</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b>European vs. US insurers.</b> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2019/05/22/the-global-insurance-industrys-6-billion-existential-threat-coal-power/#6d68f38563c1" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Source: Insure our Future</a></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.mc-3.ca/blog/divest-us" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Divestment is not a new concept</a>. For over 4 years, <a href="https://www.mc-3.ca/blog/fossil-fuels-%E2%80%93-policy-economics" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">investors and large companies</a> (including some of the largest banks) are starting to view investment in fossil fuels to be risky. The potential for stranded assets is increasing, making them a potential liability. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Recently, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/12/worlds-biggest-sovereign-wealth-fund-to-ditch-fossil-fuels" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, managing $1 Trillion</a> of Norway’s assets, adopted the largest fossil fuel divestment to date! They will be dropping coal investments worth $6bn and scrapping $7bn in oil exploration.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">On the other hand, a <a href="https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/top-10-us-insurance-companies-invest-51-billion-fossil-fuels" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">recent review</a> revealed that in spite of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2019/05/22/the-global-insurance-industrys-6-billion-existential-threat-coal-power/#14bc946863c1" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">facing catastrophic damage from climate change</a>, the largest US insurance companies are keeping over $50.9 billion in fossil fuel investments. In fact, from the 10 major US insurance companies, nine acknowledge and estimate climate change impacts on their investments. Nonetheless, <a href="https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/mc-3/files/2018-10/Top%20Ten%20US%20Insurance%20Companies%20Investment%20in%20Climate%20Change.pdf" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">only two have acted on this</a> by altering their investment strategies. In the words of the president of Consumer Watchdog: “Insurance companies’ response to climate change should be to side with the victims, not support the perpetrators”.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Luckily, the landscape is not the same worldwide. In fact, in Europe and other countries, 17 insurance companies with assets of at least $10 billion each, are making a safe bet divesting from coal projects, including six of the world’s largest insurers: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-allianz-climatechange/allianz-cuts-back-on-coal-insurance-after-environmentalist-criticism-idUSKBN1I511D" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Allianz</a>, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-munich-re-group-coal/munich-re-to-back-away-from-coal-related-business-ceo-idUSKBN1KQ0NE" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Munich Re</a>, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/7ec63f34-f20c-11e7-ac08-07c3086a2625" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">SCOR</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/insurance-giant-axa-dumps-investments-tar-sands-pipelines" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">AXA</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20180702/NEWS06/912322387/Swiss-Re-limits-thermal-coal-insurance-policies" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Swiss Re</a>, and <a href="https://theenergymix.com/2019/06/25/zurich-insurance-drops-tar-sands-oil-sands-pipelines-and-rail-commits-to-100-re-by-2022/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Zurich</a>. The last three have also divested from tar sands projects. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">While the Canadian government re-approved the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project a month ago (drastically increasing the flow of oilsands crude), Zurich decided to exclude oilsands from their investments as they consider these to be <a href="https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/06/27/news/swiss-insurance-giant-divests-oilsands" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">“among the most carbon-intensive fossil fuels.</a>”</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">So why are US insurance companies lagging so far behind? The <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2019/05/22/the-global-insurance-industrys-6-billion-existential-threat-coal-power/#14bc946863c1" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">40 largest US insurance companies currently hold more than $450 billion in coal, oil, and electric utility stock</a>. One major difference is that they are not required by law to disclose the premiums they gather from the fossil fuel industry or what fossil fuel projects they insure. However, regulations are beginning to change. The 2016 the California insurance commissioner, for example, <a href="https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/mc-3/files/2018-10/Top%20Ten%20US%20Insurance%20Companies%20Investment%20in%20Climate%20Change.pdf" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">now requires larger insurers to publicly disclose</a> their investments in fossil fuels. Exposing them might push additional insurers away from coal. Perhaps these companies may also become also part of the solution?</span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>The Vulnerability of Northern Communities</h1> <p>fjost — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 16:21:21 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The Vulnerability of Northern Communities</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-07-29T09:21:21-07:00" title="Monday, July 29, 2019 - 09:21" class="datetime">Mon, 07/29/2019 - 09:21</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b>Key factors of vulnerability. <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.cifor.org/fileadmin/subsites/cobam/images/cobam-e5.gif" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Source CIFOR</a></span></span>.</b></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We often hear about how people living in <a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-02-coastal-ground-climate.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">coastal areas are more exposed</a> to the threat of rising sea-levels . However, earlier this month, while <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/victoria/v8w/july-weather/47163?monyr=7/1/2019" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">average temperatures</a></span></span> were hitting coastal communities in British Columbia, the northern territories have <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/iqaluit/x0a/july-weather/49540?monyr=7/1/2019" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">seen abnormal fluctuations in temperature</a>. With a <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/heat-wave-alert-nunavut-1.5212801" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">record-breaking heat wave</a></span></span>, temperatures in the most northerly community in Nunavut were higher than Victoria, BC (one of the southernmost communities in Canada). </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A recent report revealed the sensitive conditions of northern communities to climate change. It affects their culture, which is dependent on and very connected to their land, for example through <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/buildings-coastlines-northerners-report-identifies-top-canadian-climate-risks" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">governance, spirituality, or the way language is passed</a></span></span>. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">However, relying on their environment is not the only factor making them more vulnerable to climate change. In addition to exposed shorelines, their homes are facing unique challenges with melting permafrost and temperature variations impacting their livelihoods. Climate change is in fact <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://skepticalscience.com/jetstream-guide.html#conclusion" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">slowing down jet streams which in turn become more unstable</a></span></span>, increasing the exposure to and occurrence of extreme events. Besides efforts to mitigate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, special attention should be given to enhance the adaptive capacity of northern communities to reduce their high vulnerability.</span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>Net Zero target reaching 1/6 of the global economy</h1> <p>fjost — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 01:37:55 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Net Zero target reaching 1/6 of the global economy</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-07-25T18:37:55-07:00" title="Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 18:37" class="datetime">Thu, 07/25/2019 - 18:37</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Net zero target map.</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <b><span style="color:#548235">Legislation or head of state commitment</span></b>; <b><span style="color:#ed7d31">exploring net zero target</span></b>. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> <a href="https://ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/ECIU_Countdown_to_Net_Zero.pdf" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Source: ECIU</a></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">If you want to keep climate change within <b>acceptable limits</b>, you need to <b>bring global emissions to zero</b> within 30 years. This was the <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">message given to governments last year by the IPCC</a></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Now, <b>all governments</b> are aware that to meet the Paris Agreement and keep global warming to 1.5ºC, they will <b>need to collectively reach net zero by 2050</b>. For this to happen, is critical that countries set net zero targets not only in their legislation but also lay out a clear plan – with interim steps - for achieving the target.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">As of last month, about <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><b><a href="https://eciu.net/news-and-events/press-releases/2019/one-sixth-of-global-economy-under-net-zero-targets" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">16% of the global economy</a></b></span></span> has set net zero emissions targets before 2050. The combined GDP of nations, states and cities with net zero targets include: </span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">2 countries: Bhutan & Suriname are already beyond net zero (absorbing more CO<sub>2</sub> than they emit).</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">2: Norway & Sweden have set their targets in national legislation</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">4: France, New Zealand, Spain & UK are in the process of legislating</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">9 countries have declared they will set net zero emissions targets, with commitments falling in policy documents.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">at least 11 states/regions and 23 cities, including major players such as California, New York & London have set net zero targets with dates before 2050.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">The </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color:#0563c1"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><a href="https://ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/ECIU_Countdown_to_Net_Zero.pdf" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) </a></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">also estimated that at least 34 companies with over<b> $1bn annual revenues</b> have set corporate net zero targets!</span></span> </span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>New York just passed the strongest emissions reduction target in the US</h1> <p>fjost — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 23:21:08 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">New York just passed the strongest emissions reduction target in the US</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-06-27T16:21:08-07:00" title="Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 16:21" class="datetime">Thu, 06/27/2019 - 16:21</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">New York – Cityscape. Source: <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/69786951/Liberty-New-York-City-Timelapse-and-Cityscape-Photos" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Michael Shainblum (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)</a> </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The state of New York just passed the most progressive climate bill in the US and one of the most ambitious ones in the world. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The legislation includes a target of 85% emissions reductions from 1990 levels by 2050 while <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/449607-ny-lawmakers-approve-sweeping-climate-bill-aiming-for-net-zero" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">offsetting the remaining 15% through carbon sinks</a>—including forestry or agriculture rather than New York's own emissions. In addition the state (utilities) would need to produce 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/19/new-york-climate-crisis-emergency-plan-progressive?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0dyZWVuTGlnaHQtMTkwNjIx&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GreenLight&CMP=greenlight_email" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">100% carbon-free by 2040</a>.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The bill was just passed by the New York Assembly on Wednesday. It prioritizes equity by requiring 35% of the state's clean energy <a href="https://therealnews.com/stories/new-york-passes-nations-most-comprehensive-clean-energy-legislation-in-the-nation" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">program benefits to go to "disadvantaged communities."</a> </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Andrew Cuomo, Democratic Governor of New York State, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DavidSilvermanPhotography/about/?ref=page_internal" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">is expected to sign the proposed legislation soon</a>. If passed, New York would join a list of states and other jurisdictions to institute a 100% clean energy requirement, including: <a href="https://www.utilitydive.com/news/senators-target-50-national-renewable-energy-standard-by-2035-zero-carbon/557722/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">California, D.C., Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Washington.</a></span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> <article> <h1>Meeting the Zero Emission Challenge</h1> <p>fjost — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 23:10:51 +0000</p> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Meeting the Zero Emission Challenge</span> <div class="field field--name-field-blog-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.mc-3.ca/users/fjost" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>fjost</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-06-16T16:10:51-07:00" title="Sunday, June 16, 2019 - 16:10" class="datetime">Sun, 06/16/2019 - 16:10</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Divesting. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25654955@N03/16343781648" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">Source: 350.org</a></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"> </p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A new <a href="https://davidsuzuki.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/zeroing-in-on-emissions-canadas-clean-power-pathways-review.pdf" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">report by the David Suzuki Foundation</a> shows how Canada can zero out our emissions by the middle of this century. Based on decarbonisation studies in Canada and around the world, it highlights 10 technically feasible options. While the transition will require <a href="https://theenergymix.com/2019/06/02/canada-can-hit-paris-targets-zero-out-carbon-by-mid-century-study-shows/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">considerable effort by industry, government, and the Canadian public</a>, the study shows that deep reductions are feasible “while maintaining our quality of life”.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Some of the most important strategies are: </span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">the acceleration of clean power;</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">targeting progressively zero emissions in the electricity system emissions;</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">electrifying everything feasible including transportation and heating;</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">adopting renewable energy sources for sectors that struggle the most with electrification such as aviation and heavy transportation;</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">pushing forward energy efficiency;</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">decarbonizing existing heavy industrial processes; </span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">divesting from fossil fuels and managing this transition in a just manner by supporting for example vulnerable workers and communities, among others. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">As the report states, these strategies are a “litmus test” for credible climate plans.</span></span></span></p> </div> <section class="field field--name-comment-node-blog field--type-comment field--label-hidden comment-wrapper"> </section> </article> </main></body></html>