Good Global Climate News
My friend Mela sent me some good news climate stories last week. We were both feeling a bit under the weather and these stories picked us up. I hope they pick you up too. We hope to eventually use this space to share good news climate stories from U.S. faith communities. Until then, we will find inspiration from climate work happening around the world.
For the First Time, Wind and Solar Surpass Coal in U.S. Electricity Production
In a report from Scientific American, wind and solar sources produced a combined 252 terawatt-hours in the first five months of 2023, compared with coal's output of 249 TWh, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This marks the very first time that renewable energy has outperformed coal without including hydroelectric power in the count. This milestone is a consequence of the continuing decline of coal usage in the U.S., as coal facilities shut down and are replaced by renewable energy.
“From a coal perspective, it has been a disaster,” said Andy Blumenfeld, an analyst who tracks the industry at McCloskey by OPIS. “The decline is happening faster than anyone anticipated.”
“Anyone anticipated?” Really? They need to hire some new anticipators. Coal has been declining for years; wind and solar have been growing by leaps and bounds. Power companies added 22.5 GW of wind and solar capacity in the 12 months ending in May. Unfortunately, natural gas also continues to grow. In 2021, natural gas accounted for about 34% of total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions. Natural gas is mostly methane, which is 24 times worse than CO2 in warming the atmosphere. Still, renewable energy has established a foothold in energy production in the U.S. It is on the rise and here to stay.
Ecuador Bans Fossil Fuel Drilling in the Amazon
This is important for several reasons. First, it helps preserve one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, protecting countless plant and animal species. Second, it supports the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples who depend on the Amazon for their homes and sustenance. Finally, it reduces deforestation and avoids all the carbon emissions that come with oil extraction.
This was a public battle in which indigenous rights groups and environmental concerns were up against the potential economic gains of extracting oil. This may mean a short-term loss of income for the nation but over the long run, sustainable ecotourism, conservation initiatives, and climate resilience efforts could help to offset the financial losses.
Brazil’s Deforestation of the Amazon Drops 66% in July, 34% for the Year
Brazil’s deforestation rates have fluctuated over the years due to various factors, including government policies, lack of enforcement, economic conditions, and international pressure. Efforts to combat deforestation often involve a combination of measures such as stricter enforcement of environmental laws, satellite and drone monitoring, protected area management, sustainable land practices, indigenous land rights recognition, and international agreements aimed at reducing deforestation. It’s always been a complex mix of competing concerns.
Maria Silva, Brazil’s current Minister of the Environment and Climate Change is featured here. She is the founder and former spokeswoman for the Sustainability Network, an environmental political party she founded in 2013. She recently announced that Brazil must base its economy on more than commodities since farming is one of the chief causes of deforestation in Brazil.
Portugal Crushing Their Renewable Energy Goals; May Now Be Carbon Neutral by 2045
Portugal already had installed Europe’s largest floating solar park. Now it has more than doubled its 2030 goals for installed capacity of solar energy and electrolysers to produce green hydrogen, as it aims to decommission natural gas-fired power plants by 2040 and possibly become carbon neutral by 2045. Prime Minister Antonio Costa said that Portugal can meet the new target because it managed to close its coal-fired stations within two years. Can you imagine? And the country didn’t collapse into ruin.
