Month: March 2022

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Will 2022 finally spell the end for fossil fuels? Here’s what’s on the climate agenda.

Euronews.green. (2022, February 1) Will 2022 finally spell the end for fossil fuels? Here’s what’s on the climate agenda. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/02/will-2022-finally-spell-the-end-for-fossil-fuels-here-s-what-s-on-the-climate-agenda

The COP27 climate discussion will take place in the spring of 2022, and there are a lot of important topics to be addressed. Firstly, it is apparent that the COVID 19 pandemic has led to a sharp decrease in air travel, which is no doubt good for the environment. This poses the question of whether low emission travel is going to be an important tool for reducing our carbon emissions. Additionally, it is important to begin the process of phasing out fossil fuel projects. Denmark and Costa Rica launched an ambitious alliance to reduce oil and gas in November. 

I think that all countries should follow along in the footsteps of Denmark and Costa Rica. It is extremely important that we begin the process of phasing out fossil fuel production. If we continue to extract fossil fuels, our carbon emissions will solely increase, and the process of climate change reversal will become significantly more difficult. Outside of curbing fossil fuel production, I think we should invest into nuclear power and other forms of clean energy. This energy should be incorporated into sectors with high carbon emissions, such as air travel. This article makes it clear that the decrease in air travel has led to a significant decrease in carbon emissions, further highlighting the importance of transitioning from crude oil fuel to clean energy. 

 

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Surging oil prices will test the resolve of companies to cut back on drilling.

Quartz. (2022, February 1). Surging oil prices will test the resolve of companies to cut back on drilling. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://qz.com/2119520/exxonmobil-plans-to-boost-spending-on-oil-drilling-45-percent-in-2022/

Oil prices have reached their highest point since October 2014, and are being inflated by the fact that geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe could lead to a cut off with Russia. Typically, high oil prices cause companies to increase drilling. This can be detrimental to the environment, as companies are most likely going to be increasing the amount of money invested into drilling. For example, Exxon has announced large scale drilling expansion plans for 2022, expecting to invest up to 24 billion dollars. Additionally, Exxon’s New Energies program will have a budget of about 1 billion dollars, while it will spend 24 billion on crude oil extraction. 

I think that while high oil prices are a potential gold mine for companies like Exxon, it is necessary that we begin to move away from further expansion in crude oil extraction. Due to Exxon cutting spending from low carbon programs and reinvesting that money into drilling, they are reversing the momentum which has been made into clean energy. As a first step in the right direction I believe that our government should increase regulations on oil companies, in order to contain them from extreme expansion. If we continue to allow drilling expansion, not only will it be a tragedy of the commons, but our carbon footprint will drastically increase. Moreover, this reallocation of funds into drilling expansion will take away money from research into new energy alternatives. While we cannot control how these private businesses are allocating their funds, it is essential that we continue to push for cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, as companies will adapt in order to appeal to customer demands. Through continuing to push for net-zero emissions, we will hopefully be able to move away from the use of fossil fuels. 

 

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How Spiking Energy Prices Complicate the Fight Against Global Warming.

The New York Times. (2022, February 2) How Spiking Energy Prices Complicate the Fight Against Global Warming. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/climate/oil-gas-prices-climate-change.html

Despite the fact that world leaders are claiming to scale back their use of fossil fuels, a significant increase in the demand for crude oil, natural gas, and coal could complicate this. Oil prices have soared to the highest price in roughly seven years due to fears of Russia invading Ukraine. This issue has led experts to recognize that although businesses are beginning to invest in low carbon energy sources, there will always be a need for fossil fuels. Unless the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is very smooth and well managed, it is likely that incentives to switch to clean energy will be diminished, which would have a significant negative impact on reversing climate change. 

I think that the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine should be a spark in the initiative to work towards net-zero emissions. The fact that this issue has driven oil prices to the highest level in nearly seven years should serve as a reminder that our reliance on fossil fuels is a serious issue, and we need to begin the transition to clean energy as soon as possible. It is important that we do not continue ignoring this issue, as the longer we wait to make the change, the more likely we are to produce irreversible levels of atmospheric carbon. 

 

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A federal judge canceled major oil and gas leases over climate change.

NPR. (2022, January 28). A federal judge canceled major oil and gas leases over climate change. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2022/01/28/1076281662/federal-judge-canceled-gulf-oil-and-gas-leases-climate-change

After a conference in Glasgow where president Biden stated that the United States was aiming for a greener future, his administration held the largest oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history. However, a federal judge ruled that this sale was illegal, as the Biden administration had failed to consider the costs to the world’s climate. The administration allegedly utilized an analysis conducted under Trump, which was considerably flawed. This lease would have allowed oil companies to purchase 80 million acres of land (twice the size of Florida) to use for fossil fuel extraction. Fortunately, the Biden administration has promised to review the country’s oil and gas leasing program to ensure its contribution to climate change. 

I think that while it is unfortunate that our current administration was planning to allow oil companies to purchase a piece of land twice the size of Florida, it is also a major victory that this was blocked by a federal judge. This is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, it will give Biden a chance to make changes to Trump’s flawed analysis, so that a situation similar to this does not happen again. Additionally, this is an important situation because it will hopefully cause more judges to view issues like these through an environmental lens. Furthermore, this is an important story because it brings awareness to the severity of our current climate crisis. The fact that companies have the ability to purchase such large amounts of land to extract oil from is a major concern. It is crucial that instead of allowing mass crude oil extraction, we begin investing in clean energy such as nuclear power and solar. 

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Middle East in Uphill Battle to Meet Net-Zero as Emissions Set to Rise.

S&P Global. (2021, December 24) Middle East in Uphill Battle to Meet Net-Zero as Emissions Set to Rise. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/122421-commodities-2022-middle-east-in-uphill-battle-to-meet-net-zero-as-emissions-set-to-rise

The Middle East is severely struggling to work towards net-zero emissions, as their economy is heavily dependent on natural gas and crude oil. Additionally, there is a big problem in the Middle East’s industrial and refining sectors, as these areas are very large, and cannot implement the usage of electricity. Saudi Arabia has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, which would be a major step in the right direction towards reversing climate change. However, the countries claims may be misleading, as they are continuing to spend billions of dollars in order to expand their crude oil production. 

While I understand that the Middle East’s economy is heavily dependent on sectors where electricity cannot be implemented, I think it is important to work harder towards net-zero emissions. With the OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia claiming to reach net-zero by the year 2060, while continuing to upscale their crude oil output, it is clear that we are not taking this matter seriously enough. Countries need to be more focused on investing their money towards nuclear power and other sources of electricity, as opposed to expanding their crude output capacity. If we do not begin this process now, carbon emissions are going to continue to rise, and it will become increasingly difficult to remove carbon from the atmosphere, let alone reduce our output.

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22 Species Extinct in US – 2021

Nakamura, K. (2021, December 14). 22 animals that went extinct in the US in 2021 – and how to take action for Biodiversity. Global Citizen. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/animal-extinct-biodiversity-2021/ 

In the year 2021 alone, the United States has experienced a total of 22 extinct species as a result of many issues such as industrialization, climate change, invasive species, etc. Many of the species range from aquatic life – mussels and fish, as well as many different bird species. Unsurprisingly, the driving causes of extinction are related to climate change and the human lifestyle in America that comes with the overproduction of foods and removal of habitat for species. Furthermore, the introduction of invasive species accounts for a quarter of plant extinctions and almost a third of all animal extinctions. It is possible to make and inspire change as an individual by doing what you can to aid in the recovery from modern-day climate issues.

 

This article provided me with insight into how many species within the US, and even the world are truly being lost every year; and how it will only get worse if we do not prevent the United States’ bad habits from exacerbating the biodiversity crisis. Additionally, the article emphasizes the amount of influence each individual citizen has on the situation, and how everyone can do their part to help out. Of course, the public is unable to fix the problem alone, but the article motivated me to change my lifestyle to be more eco-friendly. As American citizens we cant put all of the blame on the government and large corporations, it incentivizes people to look inwards.

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Industrialization Effect on Birds

Glasgow, U. (2022, February 11). Past landscape changes may affect future bird biodiversity, leading to species extinction2. Physics Org. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-02-landscape-affect-future-bird-biodiversity.html 

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have discovered that previous changes in landscapes such as the transition of natural lands (forests and plains) to the urbanization of certain areas dramatically affects the biodiversity of many bird species. Additionally, by forcing bird species into a dilemma where they either need to find a new habitat or adapt to their current, shifting habitats, we are disrupting local food chains. Also, a loss of bird population brings the possibility for more, different species to thrive and invade various ecosystems within urban areas. Nevertheless, the problem of urbanization is leading bird species to extinction.

This article reminded me of the major influence humans have on biodiversity within the United States and around the world. Although the article sheds light on the problem at hand, it does not propose a proper solution to the issue. This makes me wonder about what potential solutions could be implemented into our methods of industrialization to allow for humans and birds (along with other animals) to live, or perhaps thrive among one another. The article supplied me with a much-needed perspective on the possibility of alternative solutions to loss in biodiversity beyond those of conservation efforts. I do not doubt that industrialization methods can shift to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach – think green infrastructure dialed up massively.

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Conservation Efforts Not Enough

Fillon, L. (2022, January 19). More protected areas won’t save biodiversity, warn experts. Phys.org. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-01-areas-wont-biodiversity-experts.html 

Putting too much of an emphasis on the protection of natural lands and areas is like putting a bandaid on an open wound. The biodiversity crisis, as it is present day, will never be solved if we don’t account for all aspects of the bigger problem. The primary causes of biodiversity loss are habitat loss, fragmentation, overhunting, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. In order to prevent the issue from getting any worse, we must focus on all of the linking problems and tackle them at once, for if we only tackle one problem at a time while ignoring the others, the bigger issue at hand will only get worse.

I found this article useful in addressing and criticizing the flawed methods America utilizes to prevent negative effects of biodiversity. It brings into question the importance of conservation to the overarching and interrelated struggle, and whether or not it is an appropriate use of funds and time. That is not to say putting an effort to conserve and protect endangered species of plants and animals is completely useless, because it isn’t; but without maintaining a balance of all problems, we are unable to sufficiently progress towards the end goal.

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US Forest Pledges

Christianson, A. (2022, February 9). How the United States can fulfill its critical forest pledges. Center for American Progress. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-the-united-states-can-fulfill-its-critical-forest-pledges/ 

Although the United States has previously fallen short to meet the requirements of many developments that would aid in major climate issues, the Biden-Harris administration has recently committed to addressing biodiversity and climate-related matters by signing international pledges at COP26. The US aims to tackle deforestation in an effort to revert the copious amounts of negative impacts America has experienced in recent years, regarding an increase of forest fires, extinction, and floods as well as a loss of biodiversity. Forestry conservation is the first step in repairing climate and ecosystem damage, but it alone cannot compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions the United States produces.

I chose this article because it emphasized the deep connection between the United States’ loss in biodiversity with global climate change impacts. Many of the driving causes of climate change run parallel to the causes of biodiversity loss, presenting the world with the possibility of resolving two major hurdles at once. Additionally, the article mentions a few criticisms about the United State not doing enough, which reinforced my thoughts about how significant of a role politics plays in large, vital decisions for the future. Every country needs to appropriately address these issues, not only to encourage change but set proper plans to guide people towards a better future.

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Biodiversity in Politics

Jones, B. (2021, May 20). Why the US won’t join the single most important treaty to protect nature. Vox. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.vox.com/22434172/us-cbd-treaty-biological-diversity-nature-conservation 

Joe Biden has ensured that biodiversity loss and climate change are a top priority for the United States. He has joined in on a goal to cut down on 30% of water and land consumption within the US in the next 9 years. While Joe Biden has restored policies such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other aspiring efforts to decrease carbon production, environmentalists question the logic behind why America has not participated in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). With an aim to maintain biodiversity, CBD has been ratified by almost every other country in the world, except a select few, including the United States. Previous leaders have claimed that indulging in the treaty would negatively affect the economy, but Biden springs a new hope for environmentalists.

While I understand why people are angry at the United States for not signing the international treaty, I find it reasonable that the US is afraid of how it could affect the economy. However, the problem lies when you come to find that the reasoning for denying the requests of the treaty is not logically justified. This article highlighted the selfishness of the United States when money gets involved in large matters. It is important to note that many of the previous presidents who denied CBD requests were Republican. Perhaps Joe Biden could break the pattern, and set the United States on a good path. Especially when the United States holds a lot of influence when it comes to climate change and biodiversity loss; joining CBD would greatly help.