If you missed our half-way point check-in @ COP, check it out here: @ COP You Had One Job
The Not-So Cold Open
We Are Our Own Worst Enemy
US opts out of Dutch plan to end subsidies for fossil fuels at COP 28
Many of you must’ve seen the above image at some point this week. The US UN rep being the sole opposition to a proposed cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Let this highlight to you the complexity, but also the irony of managing political interests.
Summary:
- US Opt-Out: The US chose not to join a Dutch-led coalition at COP28 aiming to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The coalition plans to start by disentangling countries from international agreements that exempt fuels from taxes, accounting for 50% of government subsidies for oil, gas, and coal.
- Global Pact Impact: The coalition highlights that approximately half of these subsidies result from global pacts, including those in aviation and shipping. Member countries, such as France, Canada, Spain, and Austria, commit to reporting subsidy amounts before the next summit, fostering transparency.
- US Domestic Challenges: While US President Joe Biden has advocated for eliminating tax incentives for the oil and gas industry, achieving this depends on Congressional support. Industry leaders argue against singling out the sector, emphasizing the need for a broader assessment of tax incentives across the board.
- International Collaboration: The coalition aims to involve international organizations like the IMF and the World Trade Organization to create a common methodology to measure support for polluting fuels and address the global issue of rising fossil fuel subsidies, estimated to reach $1.3 trillion this year by the IMF.
Read more here: Bloomberg
Other Hot Headlines:
India’s Planning for 50,000 EV Buses in Major Cities with US Support
- India wants to add 38,000 electric buses to its fleet by 2027
- US is contributing to a $390 million fund to back the effort
OPEC Urges Members to Reject any Language of Phasing Out Fossil Fuels at COP 28
- Group’s chief writes to 13 members amid climate talks in Dubai
- The OPEC Cheif is Haitham Al Ghais, a 54 year old Kuwaiti who has only worked in the petroleum sector and received his entire (undisclosed) net worth from the oil and gas industry.
Let me put that into perspective for you. Haitham Al Ghais does not care about your wellbeing or the future state of the world for anyone under 50 as long as he continues to get paid by the oil and gas industry. And he’s helping write the rules.
Climate Culture
Gang Leader Greta
A Generation of Climate Activists are Growing up and Facing New Challenges
Let’s move aside the populist opinion of finding humor in Greta’s climate activism and acknowledge that at the end of the day, she’s gotten your attention.
And in the case of many others, specifically youth and young-adults, she’s helped foster and stimulate interest in climate change and the dismal future that lies ahead for anyone under the age of 40. Unfortunately however, the title of “youth activist” by nature doesn’t last forever, and at some point- the pressure and responsibility of making an impact demands more than just taking to the streets with some leftover cardboard.
Activists like Greta, Xiye Bastida, and Alexandria Villasenor, are facing off with the challenges of being a child-star in many ways. Trying to find new, more effective and economically-driven avenues to promote the message of climate change that resonate with our current decision makers, leaders, and citizens. This article (linked below) made me really think about what it means to work in climate, how each of us can use our unique situations and skills to make an impact, and how oblivious we still are to the change happening quite literally all around us.
Denying and dramatizing climate change is dead, the future will be given to those who think outside of their daily bubble and realize that without collective action and care for the natural systems we breathe from, eat from, and exist in - we are going nowhere.
This holiday season, I’d like each of you too to consider how your career, actions, or behaviors are contributing to advancing or fighting climate change, and how you can change and help those around you become educated on the topic.
You can read more here: Bloomberg
Better Living
Happy Potatoes Don’t Go to Waste
The Farmlink Project & Instagram Chefs Team up to Fight Food Waste
Don’t be a Sad Potato
The Farmlink Project is a group I’ve followed for quite a bit now. They’re a non-profit focused on alleviating food-waste, encouraging regenerative agriculture, and fighting hunger through some incredible campaigns. You may have seen them partner with your favorite IG chef already, but they’re back with their latest campaign focused on fighting food waste and hunger this holiday season.
POTATOES ARE ONE OF THE MOST WASTED FOODS IN THE WORLD. BILLIONS ARE THROWN OUT EACH YEAR, WHILE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE FACE FOOD INSECURITY. WE CALL THESE "SAD POTATOES."
At Happy Potato, we envision a world in which all potatoes, and people, live happily. And to us, that means making sure that food fills people, not landfills. For this reason, we donate a portion of proceeds from all merch sold to feed a specific number of meals to people in need…With every purchase, you are joining us in the fight against hunger and food waste. Thank you!
PS a great gift for your climate-activist friend this holiday season!
