Queens%2C%20New%20York%20will%20soon%20have%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20largest%20composting%20program.%20Starting%20October%203%2C%202.2%20million%20New%20Yorkers%20will%20automatically%20have%20weekly%20pickup%20service%20for%20yard%20debris%2C%20food%20scraps%20and%20food-soiled%20paper%20products.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20launch%20makes%20New%20York%20City%20home%20to%20the%20largest%20curbside%20composting%20program%20in%20the%20country%20and%20will%20help%20Queens%20residents%20easily%20get%20rid%20of%20yard%20waste%2C%20food%20scraps%20and%20food-soiled%20paper%20products%20in%20an%20environmentally%20conscious%20way%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20New%20York%20City%20Mayor%20Eric%20Adams%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20no%20sign-up%20required%2C%20and%20all%20that%20Queens%20residents%20need%20to%20do%20it%20put%20out%20their%20waste%20in%20a%20separate%20bag%20or%20bin.%20This%20is%20how%20we%20%E2%80%98Get%20Stuff%20Done%E2%80%99%20for%20our%20city.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AQueens%20was%20chosen%20for%20the%20new%20service%20because%20some%20of%20its%20neighborhoods%20are%20historically%20underserved%20and%20have%20unfairly%20borne%20the%20consequences%20of%20environmental%20injustice%2C%20according%20to%20the%20mayor%E2%80%99s%20office.%20Residents%20can%20really%20take%20advantage%20of%20the%20yard%20debris%20pickup%2C%20as%20Queens%20is%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20leafiest%20bureau%2C%20with%2041%25%20of%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20street%20trees.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMayor%20Adams%20tasked%20us%20with%20developing%20a%20new%20program%20that%20would%20be%20effective%2C%20affordable%20and%20equitable%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20New%20York%20City%20Department%20of%20Sanitation%20Commissioner%20Jessica%20Tisch.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20looked%20at%20what%20had%20worked%20in%20the%20past%2C%20as%20well%20as%20what%20hadn%E2%80%99t%2C%20and%20developed%20a%20smart%2C%20innovative%20solution%20that%20is%20going%20to%20be%20easier%20for%20the%20people%20of%20New%20York%20City%2C%20harder%20for%20rats%2C%20and%20better%20for%20the%20planet.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMany%20American%20cities%20have%20experimented%20with%20ways%20to%20persuade%2C%20entice%20or%20force%20residents%20to%20compost%2C%20rather%20than%20add%20food%20waste%20to%20landfills.%20Rotten%20food%20in%20landfills%20is%20a%20significant%20source%20of%20methane%2C%20which%20can%20be%2021%20times%20as%20bad%20for%20global%20warming%20as%20carbon%20dioxide.%20Throwing%20food%20waste%20in%20with%20yard%20debris%20and%20having%20it%20removed%20weekly%20is%20one%20of%20the%20easiest%20ways%20for%20citizens%20to%20help%20combat%20climate%20change.%20Let%E2%80%99s%20hope%20the%20program%20catches%20on%2C%20and%20that%20more%20cities%20will%20follow%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20lead.

New York to have largest composting program in USA

In%20an%20unprecedented%20show%20of%20solidarity%2C%20communities%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%20NGOs%20and%20local%20governments%20are%20teaming%20up%20to%20protect%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20rainforest.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CSome%20previous%20local%20governments%20have%20not%20put%20much%20interest%20in%20people%20and%20nationalities%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Daniel%20Dahua%2C%20President%20of%20the%20Andwa%20Nationality%20of%20Pastaza%20in%20Ecuador.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20as%20nationalities%20have%20needs%20in%20the%20territory%20%5Bbut%5D%20the%20willingness%20to%20act%20on%20our%20behalf%20among%20politicians%20did%20not%20exist.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20new%20collaboration%20between%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20government%20and%20Indigenous%20groups%20seeks%20to%20change%20this.%0A%0AA%20REDD%2B%20project%20in%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20Pastaza%20region%20has%20paved%20the%20way%20for%20an%20even%20greater%20collaboration%2C%20named%20the%20Amazonian%20Platform%20for%20Forests%2C%20Climate%20and%20Human%20Wellbeing.%20It%20aims%20to%20combat%20climate%20change%2C%20protect%20critical%20ecosystems%20and%20threatened%20species%2C%20and%20improve%20the%20well-being%20of%20the%20people%20who%20live%20in%20the%20region.%0A%0AEcuador%E2%80%99s%20groundbreaking%20conservation%20and%20implementation%20plan%0A%0AFor%20the%20first%20time%20the%20Provincial%20Government%20of%20Pastaza%2C%20the%20Minister%20of%20Environment%20and%20Water%20(MAATE)%20and%20NGOs%20are%20working%20together%20in%20a%20collaborative%20way%20within%20the%20province%20to%20carry%20out%20the%20REDD%2B%20Plan%2C%20incorporating%20the%20vision%20of%20the%20Indigenous%20nationalities%20who%20live%20in%20Pastaza.%0A%0AREDD%2B%20is%20a%20framework%20created%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%20Framework%20Convention%20on%20Climate%20Change%20(UNFCCC)%20Conference%20of%20the%20Parties%20(COP).%20It%20aims%20to%20reduce%20emissions%20from%20deforestation%20and%20forest%20degradation%2C%20promote%20the%20sustainable%20management%20of%20forests%2C%20and%20conserve%20forest%20carbon%20stocks%20in%20developing%20countries.%0A%0AWhich%20groups%20are%20joining%20to%20protect%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20forests%20and%20why%20is%20it%20significant%3F%0A%0AIndigenous%20peoples%20and%20local%20communities%20manage%20at%20least%20one%20quarter%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20lands%20and%2080%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20biodiversity.%20They%20are%20integral%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%20yet%20too%20often%20are%20overlooked%20by%20governments.%0A%0AIn%20the%20Pastaza%20region%2C%20seven%20Indigenous%20nationalities%20have%20joined%20forces%20with%20local%20provinces%20to%20protect%20the%20forest.%20This%20marks%20the%20first%20time%20in%20Ecuador%20that%20a%20provincial%20government%20and%20Indigenous%20communities%20have%20signed%20agreements%20to%20work%20together%20to%20reduce%20deforestation%20and%20forest%20degradation.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20time%20we%20are%20participating%20and%20collaborating%20in%20the%20planning%20and%20we%20always%20coordinate%20in%20order%20to%20strengthen%20activities%20in%20the%20territory%20and%20satisfy%20our%20direct%20needs%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dahua.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20want%20to%20see%20this%20collaboration%20between%20the%20government%20and%20nationalities%20so%20that%20we%20are%20taken%20into%20account.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ANature%20and%20Culture%20International%20(NCI)%20-%20an%20international%20nonprofit%20that%20works%20with%20Latin%20American%20communities%20to%20conserve%20the%20local%20environment%20-%20is%20supporting%20the%20project.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIndigenous%20people%20are%20the%20rightful%20owners%20of%20most%20of%20the%20provincial%20territory%2C%20including%20the%20most%20critical%20areas%20to%20save%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Bruno%20Paladines%2C%20Mosaic%20Coordinator%20at%20NCI.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20believe%20Indigenous%20people%20are%20the%20ones%20who%20can%20best%20conserve%20these%20areas%20using%20their%20ancestral%20knowledge%20and%20their%20own%20vision%20of%20governance%20and%20land%20management.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhy%20is%20it%20important%20to%20protect%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20rainforest%3F%0A%0AThe%20Amazonian%20Platform's%204.5-million-hectare%20forest%20acts%20as%20an%20important%20biological%20corridor%20and%20carbon%20reserve.%20Located%20in%20the%20east%20of%20the%20country%2C%20Pastaza%20is%20home%20to%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20largest%20and%20best%20conserved%20forest.%20Covering%2094%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20province%2C%20the%20region%E2%80%99s%20forests%20capture%20more%20than%20858%20million%20tonnes%20of%20carbon%20annually%20-%20nearly%20double%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20entire%20footprint%20in%202018.%0A%0APastaza%20is%20also%20home%20to%20a%20wide%20array%20of%20plant%20and%20animal%20groups%2C%20from%20amphibians%20to%20trees%20to%20insects.%20A%20single%20hectare%20in%20the%20region%20may%20contain%20more%20tree%20species%20than%20are%20native%20to%20the%20continental%20United%20States%20and%20Canada%20combined.%0A%0AWhat%20threats%20does%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20rainforest%20face%3F%0A%0AThis%20union%20comes%20at%20a%20critical%20moment%20as%20threats%20to%20the%20Amazon%20from%20deforestation%2C%20mining%20and%20agriculture%20increase%20daily.%0A%0ASince%20the%201960s%2C%20Pastaza%20has%20been%20an%20oil%20and%20mining%20hotspot.%20Up%20until%20now%2C%20approximately%2064%2C000%20cubic%20metres%20of%20oil%20have%20leaked%20into%20the%20Ecuadorian%20rainforest%20causing%20water%2C%20soil%20and%20vegetation%20pollution.%0A%0ANCI%20estimates%20that%20from%202016%20to%202018%2C%20over%2012%2C00%20acres%20were%20deforested%20each%20year%20in%20Pastaza%2C%20primarily%20due%20to%20agricultural%20expansion.%0A%0AHow%20will%20the%20platform%20protect%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20environment%3F%0A%0AEcuador%E2%80%99s%20plan%20covers%20forest%20conservation%20and%20sustainable%20production%2C%20with%20the%20priorities%20and%20active%20participation%20of%20Indigenous%20nationalities%20in%20Pastaza%20at%20its%20heart.%20Ultimately%2C%20it%20aims%20to%20decrease%20deforestation%20in%20the%20province%20as%20the%20population%20adopts%20sustainable%20production%20practices%20that%20conserve%20biodiversity%20and%20the%20ecosystem.%20The%20plan%20also%20hopes%20to%20secure%20food%20and%20income%20for%20locals.%0A%0AProposed%20protective%20actions%20include%20conservation%20and%20restoration%20of%20degraded%20areas%2C%20sustainable%20forest%20management%2C%20sustainable%20productive%20activities%20and%20political%20management.%20These%20will%20be%20implemented%20and%20coordinated%20by%20local%20governments%20and%20Pastaza%E2%80%99s%20Indigenous%20nationalities.%0A%0AHow%20will%20the%20government%20and%20Indigenous%20communities%20collaborate%20in%20Ecuador%3F%0A%0AThe%20project%20%E2%80%9Cwill%20integrate%20Indigenous%20knowledge%20of%20land%20management%20with%20the%20development%20planning%20of%20Pastaza's%20government%2C%E2%80%9D%20explains%20Paladines.%0A%0AFunds%20for%20conservation%20are%20being%20managed%20collaboratively%2C%20with%20administrative%20and%20financial%20training%20provided%20to%20improve%20resource%20management.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThrough%E2%80%A6direct%20outreach%20with%20people%20living%20in%20the%20territory%2C%20we%20can%20directly%20address%20the%20needs%20that%20exist%20%5Bmeaning%5D%20resources%20are%20invested%20much%20more%20efficiently.%20With%20these%20actions%20we%20ensure%20sustainable%20management%20of%20the%20forest%20resources%20for%20a%20lasting%20conservation%20impact%2C%E2%80%9D%20Paladines%20continues.%0A%0AIn%20practice%2C%20Dahua%20says%20representatives%20from%20various%20Indigenous%20Nationalities%20have%20formed%20a%20council%20with%20the%20provincial%20government%20and%20NCI%2C%20where%20they%20consult%20on%20the%20management%20of%20the%20conservation%20areas.%0A%0ACultural%20preservation%20is%20also%20on%20the%20agenda%20in%20Ecuador%0A%0ANot%20only%20do%20they%20discuss%20conservation%20of%20the%20natural%20environment%2C%20but%20also%20protecting%20Indigenous%20handicrafts%20and%20languages.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThanks%20to%20Nature%20and%20Culture%20International%2C%20we%20as%20the%20Andwa%20nationality%20have%20begun%20to%20build%20a%20dictionary.%20We%20are%20going%20to%20have%20our%20own%20instrument%20to%20conserve%20our%20language%20that%20at%20this%20moment%20is%20in%20danger%20of%20extinction.%20I%20will%20always%20be%20grateful%20%5Bfor%20this%5D%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dahua.%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20going%20to%20sign%20a%20conservation%20agreement%20to%20protect%20530%20hectares%20of%20primary%20forest%20in%20our%20territory.%20The%20most%20important%20thing%20is%20to%20conserve%20water%20basins.%20We%20will%20monitor%20and%20control%20the%20area.%20In%20exchange%2C%20Nature%20and%20Culture%20International%20commits%20to%20cover%20some%20of%20the%20needs%20we%20have%20in%20the%20territory%2C%E2%80%99%20he%20explains.%0A%0ASome%20of%20the%20main%20priorities%20of%20the%20Andwa%20people%20include%20internet%20and%20river%20transportation.%20Dahua%20hopes%20improvements%20in%20these%20areas%20will%20help%20create%20greater%20visibility%20for%20traditional%20handicrafts%20made%20by%20female%20entrepreneurs%20in%20his%20community.%0A%0AThrough%20this%20collaboration%2C%20he%20hopes%20Indigenous%20Nationalities%20will%20be%20empowered%20%E2%80%9Cto%20take%20actions%20that%20benefit%20the%20communities%20in%20the%20territory%E2%80%A6%5Band%5D%20to%20solve%20problems%20that%20exist%20in%20the%20territory.%E2%80%9D

Сreating virtuous synergies to safeguard Amazonia

Several%20U.S.%20states%20are%20repurposing%20closed-down%20coal%20plants%20into%20solar%20plants%20and%20wind%20farms.%20Among%20the%20states%20that%20have%20made%20the%20transition%20include%20Illinois%2C%20which%20is%20currently%20leading%20the%20pack.%20Nine%20coal%20plants%20will%20become%20solar%20farms%20or%20battery%20storage%20facilities%2C%20according%20to%20The%20New%20York%20Times.%0A%0AAcross%20the%20U.S.%2C%20several%20states%20have%20adopted%20the%20same%20model%2C%20of%20using%20old%20coal%20plants%20to%20generate%20clean%20energy.%20The%20main%20reason%20for%20this%20move%20is%20that%20reusing%20the%20coal%20plants%20will%20cause%20less%20damage%20than%20rebuilding%20a%20new%20clean%20energy%20plant.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20energy%20sector%20report%2C%20most%20coal%20plants%20are%20already%20wired%20to%20substations%20that%20transmit%20power%20across%20the%20country.%20They%20can%20be%20instrumental%20in%20reducing%20the%20wires%2C%20sensors%2C%20and%20poles%20needed%20to%20connect%20solar%20plants%20to%20the%20grid.%20There%20are%20also%20concerns%20that%20power%20poles%20could%20ruin%20the%20beautiful%20backyard%20views%20that%20they%20are%20used%20to.%0A%0AFurther%2C%20using%20such%20facilities%20eliminate%20the%20environmental%20cost%20of%20setting%20up%20new%20powerlines%20used%20to%20connect%20solar%20plants%20to%20the%20grid.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20adopting%20the%20old%20coal%20facilities%20is%20being%20championed%20on%20both%20ends.%0A%0AWith%20these%20switches%2C%20clean%20energy%20is%20quickly%20becoming%20the%20least%20expensive%20source%20of%20energy%20in%20many%20U.S.%20states.%20As%20a%20matter%20of%20fact%2C%20some%20states%20are%20even%20turning%20to%20old%20coal%20plants%20to%20facilitate%20wind%20power%20transmission.%0A%0AThis%20is%20common%20in%20coastal%20states%20such%20as%20New%20Jersey%20and%20Massachusetts%2C%20who%20are%20choosing%20to%20repurpose%20their%20coal%20plants%20into%20wind%20farms.%20With%20more%20wind%20power%20available%2C%20it%20will%20be%20easy%20to%20provide%20energy%20to%20the%20residents.%20Such%20projects%20make%20shutting%20down%20coal%20plants%20less%20expensive%20but%20also%20environmentally%20viable.%0A

USA convert old coal plants in clean power plants

The%20Government%20has%20allocated%20more%20than%20%C2%A344m%20to%20plant%20around%202%2C300%20hectares%20of%20new%20woodland%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20in%20a%20bid%20to%20improve%20biodiversity%20and%20respond%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%0A%0AFunding%20fiasco%0A%0ANature%20and%20conservation%20charities%20have%20already%20expressed%20concern%20that%20the%20Government%E2%80%99s%20financing%20support%20for%20charities%20to%20date%20will%20stifle%20efforts%20to%20tackle%20climate%20change%20and%20protect%20nature%20over%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AThe%20National%20Council%20for%20Voluntary%20Organisations%20estimates%20that%20around%20%C2%A34bn%20of%20support%20is%20needed%20by%20UK%20charities.%0A%0APrior%20to%20this%2C%20it%20was%20revealed%20that%20Government%20funding%20for%20bodies%20such%20as%20Natural%20England%2C%20the%20Environment%20Agency%20and%20National%20Parks%20had%20fallen%20steeply%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20leaving%20the%20UK%20at%20risk%20of%20failing%20to%20meet%20key%20green%20policy%20objectives.%0A%0AThe%20investigation%2C%20called%20Unchecked%2C%20found%20that%20the%20Environment%20Agency%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20protection%20budget%20has%20fallen%20by%2062%25%20in%20real%20terms%20since%20financial%20year%202010-2011%2C%20taking%20into%20account%20Government%20cuts%2C%20inflation%20and%20economic%20trends.%20Significant%20funding%20decreases%20were%20also%20recorded%20within%20the%20same%20timeframe%20at%20bodies%20including%20the%20Scottish%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(32%25)%2C%20National%20Parks%20(25%25)%20and%20Maritime%20Management%20Organisation%20(57%25).%0A%0AThese%20financial%20strains%20are%20leaving%20environmental%20enforcement%20bodies%20and%20charities%20unable%20to%20complete%20the%20inspections%20and%20prosecutions%20necessary%20for%20the%20UK%20to%20meet%20the%20ambitions%20of%20policies%20such%20as%20the%2025%20Year%20Environment%20Plan.%0A%0AIn%20related%20news%2C%20a%20rewilding%20project%20in%20Scotland%20had%20reached%20its%20funding%20goal.%0A%0AThe%20Langholm%20Initiative%20confirmed%20last%20week%20that%20it%20had%20met%20a%20funding%20goal%20of%20%C2%A32.2m%2C%20which%20will%20enable%20the%20purchase%20of%202%2C415%20hectares%20of%20moorland%20in%20southern%20Scotland.%0A%0AAs%20reported%20by%20the%20Guardian%2C%20this%20will%20enable%20the%20local%20community%20to%20reach%20an%20original%20goal%20of%20creating%20a%204%2C000-hectare%20nature%20reserve%20known%20as%20Tarras%20Valley.

£44m expansion plan for woodlands in England

Researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20paper%20battery%20with%20a%20water%20switch%20that%20could%20be%20used%20to%20power%20single-use%20disposable%20electronics.%20The%20team%20at%20the%20Swiss%20Federal%20Laboratories%20for%20Materials%20Science%20and%20Technology%20(EMPA)%20tested%20the%20paper%20battery%20by%20attaching%20two%20of%20them%20to%20the%20digital%20display%20of%20an%20alarm%20clock.%0A%0AAfter%20being%20activated%20by%20two%20drops%20of%20water%2C%20it%20started%20working%20in%2020%20seconds%20and%20continued%20to%20consistently%20power%20the%20display%20for%20an%20hour%20until%20it%20started%20to%20dry%20up.%20The%20paper%20power%20source%20achieved%20a%20maximum%20stable%20voltage%20of%201.2%20volts%20compared%20to%20the%201.5%20volts%20produced%20by%20an%20AA%20battery.%0A%0AWhat%20could%20the%20paper%20battery%20be%20used%20for%3F%0A%0AOnce%20they%20iron%20out%20some%20kinks%20in%20the%20development%2C%20it%20could%20be%20used%20for%20smart%20labels%20to%20track%20objects%20like%20packages.%20Other%20applications%20include%20environmental%20sensors%20or%20even%20medical%20devices%2C%20the%20researchers%20say.%20But%20even%20without%20tweaks%20to%20prevent%20it%20from%20drying%20out%2C%20the%20water%20switch%20could%20be%20useful%20for%20detecting%20moisture.%0A%0ABecause%20paper%20and%20zinc%20are%20biodegradable%2C%20they%20believe%20the%20battery%20could%20help%20reduce%20the%20environmental%20impact%20of%20single-use%20electronics.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat's%20special%20about%20our%20new%20battery%20is%20that%20in%20contrast%20many%20metal%20air%20batteries%20are%20using%20a%20metal%20foil%20that%20is%20gradually%20consumed%20as%20the%20battery%20is%20depleted%2C%22%20says%20co-author%20of%20the%20study%2C%20Gustav%20Nystr%C3%B6m.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20design%20allows%20us%20to%20add%20only%20the%20amount%20of%20zinc%20to%20the%20ink%20that%20is%20actually%20needed%20for%20the%20specific%20application.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHow%20does%20the%20paper%20battery%20work%3F%0A%0ATo%20make%20the%20battery%2C%20the%20team%20started%20with%20a%20strip%20of%20paper%20that%20had%20been%20dipped%20in%20salt%20water%20and%20then%20left%20to%20dry.%0A%0AInk%20containing%20graphite%20flakes%20was%20printed%20onto%20one%20side%20of%20the%20strip%20to%20make%20the%20positive%20terminal%20of%20the%20battery.%20On%20the%20other%20side%2C%20ink%20with%20zinc%20powder%20was%20used%20to%20make%20the%20negative%20terminal.%0A%0ABoth%20sides%20of%20the%20paper%20were%20then%20printed%20over%20with%20a%20mixture%20of%20graphite%20flakes%20and%20carbon%20black%20(like%20the%20soot%20on%20charred%20vegetables)%20to%20connect%20the%20negative%20and%20positive%20sides.%0A%0AWhen%20water%20is%20added%2C%20the%20salt%20dissolves%20and%20releases%20charged%20ions.%20At%20the%20negative%20terminal%2C%20these%20ions%20make%20contact%20with%20the%20zinc%20causing%20it%20to%20oxidise%20(the%20same%20process%20that%20causes%20metal%20to%20rust)%20and%20release%20electrons.%0A%0AAn%20electrical%20device%20connected%20to%20the%20paper%20battery%20then%20completes%20the%20circuit%20meaning%20the%20electrons%20can%20flow%20from%20the%20negative%20terminal%20to%20the%20positive%20one%20through%20the%20device.%20Here%20they%20are%20discharged%20into%20the%20air.%0A%0AAltogether%20this%20process%20generates%20an%20electrical%20current%20that%20can%20be%20used%20to%20power%20an%20electronic%20device.

A paper battery with water switch

Wave%20Swell%20Energy%2C%20an%20Australian%20clean%20energy%20company%2C%20developed%20an%20extraordinary%20wave%20energy%20harvesting%20platform.%20Named%20UniWave%20200%2C%20the%20platform%20is%20capable%20of%20harvesting%20much%20more%20energy%20from%20sea%20waves%20than%20other%20similar%20technologies.%0A%0AUniWave%20is%20a%20floatable%20device%20that%20can%20be%20towed%20to%20the%20desired%20destination%20anywhere%20on%20the%20ocean.%20Once%20installed%2C%20the%20device%20can%20be%20collected%20to%20the%20local%20grid%2C%20where%20it%20delivers%20the%20electricity%20generated.%0A%0AAlthough%20there%20have%20been%20many%20devices%20developed%20previously%20to%20harness%20wave%20energy%2C%20UniWave%20200%20operates%20in%20a%20different%20and%20more%20efficient%20manner.%20For%20this%20device%2C%20wave%20swell%20forces%20water%20into%20a%20specially%20built%20concrete%20chamber%20through%20an%20outlet.%20When%20it%20recedes%2C%20it%20creates%20a%20huge%20vacuum%20which%20sucks%20air%20into%20the%20turbine.%20Additionally%2C%20it%20collects%20energy%20from%20a%20whole%20column%20of%20water%20that%20reaches%20the%20special%20concrete%20chamber.%20It%20is%2C%20therefore%2C%20more%20efficient%20than%20similar%20devices%20in%20this%20regard.%0A%0AWave%20Swell%20Energy%20has%20already%20held%20trials%20for%20the%20device%20and%20is%20planning%20to%20expand%20its%20projects.%20Last%20year%2C%20the%20company%20built%20a%2020%20kilowatt%20test%20platform%20near%20King%20Island.%20The%20platform%20has%20successfully%20stood%20up%20to%20the%20fierce%20waves%20of%20Bass%20Strait%20and%20has%20continuously%20supplied%20power%20to%20the%20Island%E2%80%99s%20grid%20for%20the%20past%2012%20months.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COne%20key%20achievement%20has%20been%20to%20deliver%20real-world%20results%20in%20Tasmanian%20ocean%20conditions%20to%20complement%20the%20AMC%20test%20modeling%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20WSE%20CEO%20Paul%20Geason%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CIn%20some%20instances%2C%20the%20performance%20of%20our%20technology%20in%20the%20ocean%20has%20exceeded%20expectations%20due%20to%20the%20lessons%20we%E2%80%99ve%20learned%20through%20the%20project%2C%20technological%20improvements%20and%20the%20refinements%20we%20have%20made%20over%20the%20year.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20company%20has%20been%20using%20the%20King%20Island%20platform%20to%20show%20that%20the%20system%20could%20be%20adopted%20in%20other%20parts.%20The%20King%20Island%20platform%20is%20expected%20to%20continue%20serving%20until%20the%20end%20of%202022.

Floating 'Blowhole' Generates Energy From Waves

Plastic%20pollution%20has%20quickly%20become%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20environmental%20issues%20of%20the%2021st%20century.%20Plastics%20that%20end%20up%20in%20waterways%20are%20the%20cause%20of%20millions%20of%20animal%20deaths%20each%20year%20when%20birds%2C%20turtles%2C%20fish%20and%20other%20marine%20organisms%20ingest%20or%20become%20entangled%20in%20plastic%20waste.%0A%0APlastics%20contain%20toxic%20chemicals%20like%20PCBs%20and%20DDT%20that%20can%20contaminate%20waterways%2C%20and%20they%20can%20absorb%20and%20carry%20harmful%20pollutants%20and%20invasive%20species%20from%20rivers%20to%20the%20ocean.%20Once%20plastic%20is%20in%20the%20ocean%2C%20it%20slowly%20decomposes%2C%20breaking%20down%20into%20tiny%20microplastics%20that%20can%20enter%20the%20marine%20food%20chain.%0A%0ABut%20what%20if%20there%20was%20a%20way%20to%20prevent%20plastics%20from%20reaching%20the%20ocean%20in%20the%20first%20place%3F%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Plastic%20Smart%20Cities%2C%20more%20than%20eight%20million%20tons%20of%20plastic%20pollute%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20each%20year%2C%20and%2060%20to%2080%20percent%20of%20that%20comes%20from%20rivers.%0A%0AIn%20order%20to%20reduce%20the%20amount%20of%20plastic%20that%20makes%20its%20way%20from%20rivers%20to%20the%20ocean%2C%20co-founder%20of%20nonprofit%20Coast%20Busters%2C%20Claar-els%20van%20Delft%2C%20developed%20a%20new%20way%20to%20stop%20plastic%20from%20migrating%20that%20won%E2%80%99t%20disrupt%20fish%20or%20ship%20traffic%3A%20The%20Great%20Bubble%20Barrier.%0A%0AVan%20Delft%20noticed%20something%20five%20years%20ago%20that%20indicated%20that%20the%20plastic%20waste%20washing%20up%20on%20the%20beach%20of%20the%20seaside%20town%20of%20Katwijk%20in%20the%20Netherlands%20was%20coming%20from%20a%20local%20river%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20started%20picking%20up%20litter%20and%20we%20noticed%2C%20near%20the%20river%20entrance%2C%20pieces%20that%20came%20from%20fresh%20water%20%E2%80%93%20all%20kinds%20of%20plastic%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Van%20Delft%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CTampon%20sheaths%2C%20brush%20bristles%2C%20but%20also%20crisp%20packages%2C%20drink%20packages%2C%20everything.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ALast%20month%2C%20Katwijk%20became%20the%20home%20of%20the%20first%20river%20bubble%20barrier%20in%20the%20world.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20The%20Great%20Bubble%20Barrier%20website%2C%20the%20barricade%20of%20bubbles%20comes%20from%20air%20being%20pumped%20through%20perforated%20tubing%20that%20produces%20a%20diagonal%20curtain%20of%20bubbles%20that%20guides%20plastics%20to%20the%20surface%20and%20then%20to%20a%20catchment%20system%20on%20the%20side%20of%20the%20waterway.%0A%0AThe%20team%20at%20The%20Great%20Bubble%20Barrier%20is%20made%20up%20of%20surfers%2C%20sailors%20and%20other%20water%20lovers%20who%20won%20a%20Postcode%20Lottery%20Green%20Challenge%20in%202018%20and%20started%20their%20first%20trial%20bubble%20barrier%20the%20next%20year%20in%20an%20Amsterdam%20canal%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%20The%20success%20of%20the%20pilot%20led%20a%20dozen%20municipalities%2C%20the%20Rijnland%20water%20board%2C%20Coast%20Busters%2C%20the%20Holland%20Rijnland%20and%20Zuid-Holland%20regions%20and%20community%20fundraisers%20to%20put%20more%20than%20%24470%2C000%20into%20the%20construction%20of%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20first%20river%20bubble%20barrier.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20notice%20plastic%20pollution%20by%20visitors%20to%20the%20beach%2C%20leaving%20wrappers%20and%20other%20plastic%20behind%2C%20but%20we%20are%20also%20the%20last%20stop%20before%20all%20the%20plastics%20collected%20along%20the%20Oude%20Rijn%20flow%20into%20the%20sea.%20With%20this%20bubble%20barrier%20we%20can%20stop%20those%20plastics%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Deputy%20Mayor%20of%20Katwijk%20Jacco%20Knape%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%0A%0AExecutive%20board%20member%20of%20the%20Rijnland%20water%20board%20Bas%20Knapp%2C%20who%20is%20investing%20in%20the%20operations%20of%20the%20bubble%20barrier%2C%20does%20not%20believe%20the%20barrier%20will%20interfere%20with%20fish%20migration.%20%0A%0AKnapp%20said%20they%20expected%20the%20bubble%20barrier%20to%20remove%20from%2086%20to%2090%20percent%20of%20the%20plastic%20pollution%20in%20the%20river.%0A%0AIn%20a%20test%20in%20Amsterdam%20using%20tangerines%20released%20into%20the%20water%2C%20on%20the%20catchment%20side%20of%20the%20barrier%20the%20capture%20rate%20was%20as%20high%20as%2090%20percent%2C%20but%20on%20the%20other%20side%20it%20was%20much%20lower%2C%20likely%20due%20to%20lesser%20bubble%20intensity%2C%20said%20environmental%20hydrodynamics%20researcher%20Dr.%20Frans%20Buschman%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20The%20Guardian.%0A%0ABuschman%20went%20on%20to%20say%20that%20floating%20objects%20also%20had%20the%20potential%20to%20be%20blown%20over%20the%20barrier%2C%20but%20that%20the%20technique%20still%20had%20%E2%80%9Cgreat%20potential.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AOther%20Great%20Bubble%20Barrier%20projects%20are%20being%20discussed%20in%20Portugal%20and%20Southeast%20Asia.%0A%0AWith%20the%20variety%20of%20types%20of%20waterways%20worldwide%2C%20strategies%20to%20deal%20with%20plastic%20pollution%20like%20The%20Great%20Bubble%20Barrier%20will%20work%20better%20in%20some%20scenarios%20and%20not%20others%2C%20said%20assistant%20professor%20at%20Wageningen%20University%E2%80%99s%20hydrology%20and%20quantitative%20water%20management%20group%20Tim%20van%20Emmerik%2C%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COf%20course%2C%20consuming%20and%20polluting%20less%20plastics%20will%20help%20no%20matter%20where%20you%20go%2C%20and%20may%20in%20fact%20have%20the%20greatest%20impact%2C%E2%80%9D%20Van%20Emmerik%20said.%0A%0A

Bubble barrier extracts plastic from Dutch river

India%20has%20this%20week%20strengthened%20its%20official%20national%20climate%20action%20plan%2C%20providing%20a%20major%20boost%20to%20international%20climate%20efforts%20ahead%20of%20this%20autumn's%20COP27%20Climate%20Summit%20in%20Egypt.%20%0A%0AThe%20new%20strategy%20formalises%20Indian%20Prime%20Minister's%20Narendra%20Modi's%20previous%20pledge%20to%20deliver%20net%20zero%20emissions%20by%202070%20and%20crucially%20includes%20new%20near-term%20emissions%20goals%20for%202030%2C%20with%20the%20government%20setting%20a%20target%20to%20cut%20emissions%20intensity%20by%2045%20per%20cent%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%0A%0AIn%20an%20announcement%20today%2C%20the%20government%20said%20the%20Cabinet%20had%20approved%20updates%20to%20its%20formal%20national%20climate%20action%20plan%2C%20known%20as%20a%20Nationally%20Determined%20Contribution%20(NDC)%20in%20the%20UN%20jargon%2C%20which%20will%20now%20be%20submitted%20to%20the%20UN%20climate%20secretariat%20ahead%20of%20COP27.%0A%0AThe%20updated%20NDC%20incorporates%20Modi's%20'Panchamrit'%20strategy%2C%20which%20was%20unveiled%20at%20last%20year's%20COP26%20Climate%20Summit%20in%20Glasgow%20and%20for%20the%20first%20time%20committed%20the%20country%20to%20achieving%20net%20zero%20emissions.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20updated%20NDC%20also%20commits%20India%20to%20more%20ambitious%20climate%20targets%20for%202030.%20Under%20the%20plan%20India%20is%20now%20committed%20to%20reducing%20emissions%20per%20unit%20of%20GDP%20by%2045%20per%20cent%20by%202030%2C%20against%202005%20levels.%20The%20new%20target%20is%20an%20increase%20on%20its%20previous%20target%20of%20a%2033%20to%2035%20per%20cent%20reduction%20in%20emissions%20intensity.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20also%20sets%20out%20how%20the%20government%20intends%20to%20meet%20the%20target%20by%20accelerating%20the%20country's%20renewable%20energy%20boom.%20It%20includes%20a%20target%20to%20generate%20around%2050%20per%20cent%20of%20its%20electricity%20from%20non-fossil%20fuel-based%20sources%20by%202030%20-%20an%20increase%20on%20the%20previous%20target%20of%2040%20per%20cent.%0A%0AThe%20government%20said%20the%20%22enhancements%22%20made%20to%20its%20NDC%20mark%20an%20important%20step%20towards%20achieving%20India's%20long-term%20goal%20of%20reaching%20net%20zero%20by%202070.%0A%0A%22The%20updated%20NDC%20seeks%20to%20enhance%20India's%20contributions%20towards%20achievement%20of%20the%20strengthening%20of%20global%20response%20to%20the%20threat%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20as%20agreed%20under%20the%20Paris%20Agreement%2C%22%20the%20government%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%22Such%20action%20will%20also%20help%20India%20usher%20in%20low%20emissions%20growth%20pathways.%20It%20would%20protect%20the%20interests%20of%20the%20country%20and%20safeguard%20its%20future%20development%20needs%20based%20on%20the%20principles%20and%20provisions%20of%20the%20UNFCCC.%22%0A%0AThe%20NDC%20also%20includes%20Prime%20Minister%20Narendra%20Modi's%20vision%20of%20%22sustainable%20lifestyles%20and%20climate%20justice%20to%20protect%20the%20poor%20and%20vulnerable%20from%20adverse%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%22%2C%20which%20is%20being%20promoted%20through%20a%20mass%20movement%20campaign%20dubbed%20'LIFE'%20or%20'Lifestyle%20for%20Environment'.%0A%0A%22The%20vision%20of%20LIFE%20is%20to%20live%20a%20lifestyle%20that%20is%20in%20tune%20with%20our%20planet%20and%20does%20not%20harm%20it%2C%22%20the%20government%20said.%20%22India's%20updated%20NDC%20also%20captures%20this%20citizen%20centric%20approach%20to%20combat%20climate%20change.%22%20%0A%0AIndia%20first%20submitted%20its%20NDC%20in%202015%20ahead%20of%20the%20Paris%20Agreement.%20As%20per%20the%20terms%20of%20the%20Paris%20Agreement%2C%20all%20countries%20were%20required%20to%20submit%20an%20NDC%20to%20the%20UNFCCC%20and%20for%20their%20plans%20to%20be%20updated%20every%20five%20years.%0A%0AIndia's%20original%20NDC%20featured%20eight%20goals%2C%20of%20which%20only%20three%20had%20official%20targets.%20In%20addition%20to%20reducing%20its%20emissions%20intensity%20and%20generating%20electricity%20from%20alternative%20sources%2C%20India%20has%20also%20previously%20set%20a%20forestry%20target%20in%20which%20it%20promised%20to%20create%20an%20additional%20carbon%20sink%20of%202.5%20billion%20tonnes%20of%20CO2%20equivalent%20by%202030.%0A%0AIn%20this%20week's%20announcement%20the%20government%20revealedit%20has%20already%20made%20progress%20across%20some%20of%20its%20sustainability%20goals%20and%20with%20its%20ongoing%20efforts%20to%20%22decouple%20economic%20growth%20from%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%22.%0A%0AProgress%20highlighted%20included%20Indian%20Railway's%20net%20zero%20target%2C%20which%20it%20said%20would%20lead%20to%20a%20reduction%20of%20emissions%20of%2060%20million%20tonnes%20annually%20by%202030.%0A%0AIn%20addition%2C%20it%20highlighted%20the%20progress%20made%20by%20its%20%22massive%22%20LED%20bulb%20campaign%2C%20which%20it%20said%20is%20reducing%20emissions%20by%2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India Strengthens National Net Zero Strategy

Marine%20scientists%20monitoring%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20say%20they%20have%20recorded%20the%20highest%20levels%20of%20coral%20cover%20in%2036%20years%20in%20the%20north%20and%20central%20areas%2C%20but%20warned%20any%20recovery%20could%20be%20quickly%20overturned%20by%20global%20heating.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%E2%80%99s%20annual%20long-term%20monitoring%20report%20says%20the%20fast-growing%20corals%20that%20have%20driven%20coral%20cover%20upwards%20are%20also%20those%20most%20at%20risk%20from%20marine%20heatwaves%2C%20storms%20and%20the%20voracious%20crown-of-thorns%20(COTS)%20starfish.%0A%0AGlobal%20heating%20is%20accepted%20by%20scientists%20as%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20long-term%20threat.%0A%0AEarlier%20this%20year%2C%20unusually%20hot%20ocean%20temperatures%20caused%20the%20first%20ever%20mass%20bleaching%20during%20a%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20year%20%E2%80%93%20a%20natural%20climate%20phase%20that%20should%20have%20given%20corals%20a%20respite.%0A%0AThe%20first%20ever%20mass%20bleaching%20on%20the%20reef%20was%20recorded%20in%201998%2C%20but%20since%20then%20corals%20were%20hit%20in%202002%2C%202016%2C%202017%2C%202020%20and%20again%20earlier%20this%20year.%0A%0AThe%20prognosis%20for%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20future%20under%20climate%20change%2C%20the%20report%20said%2C%20was%20one%20of%20increasingly%20frequent%20and%20longer-lasting%20marine%20heatwaves%2C%20with%20the%20ongoing%20risk%20of%20COTS%20outbreaks%20and%20tropical%20cyclones.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMitigation%20of%20these%20climatic%20threats%20requires%20immediate%20global%20action%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20report%20said.%0A%0ADr%20Mike%20Emslie%2C%20who%20leads%20the%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20monitoring%20program%2C%20told%20the%20Guardian%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20fact%20that%20we%20have%20had%20four%20bleaching%20events%20in%20the%20last%20seven%20years%20and%20the%20first%20one%20in%20a%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20year%20is%20really%20concerning.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASurveys%20are%20carried%20out%20by%20towing%20divers%20over%20reefs%20at%20a%20standardised%20rate%2C%20recording%20corals%2C%20bleaching%20levels%2C%20COTS%20and%20the%20number%20of%20coral%20trout%20and%20sharks.%0A%20%0AAbout%20half%20of%20the%2087%20reefs%20surveyed%20for%20the%20report%20were%20carried%20out%20before%20the%20most%20recent%20bleaching%20event%20unfolded%20in%20February%20and%20March%20this%20year.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20effects%20of%20the%202022%20mass%20bleaching%20event%20are%20still%20unfolding%2C%20and%20its%20impact%20will%20only%20be%20known%20over%20the%20coming%20months%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20report%20said.%0A%0AAerial%20surveys%20carried%20out%20in%20March%20by%20the%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20and%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20Marine%20Park%20Authority%20covered%20750%20individual%20reefs.%0A%0AThe%20fast-growing%20acropora%20species%20of%20branching%20and%20plate-like%20corals%20that%20were%20pushing%20coral%20cover%20up%20were%20also%20preferred%20prey%20for%20COTS%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AIn%20the%20northern%20parts%20of%20the%20reef%2C%20the%20monitoring%20data%20showed%20coral%20cover%20averaged%2036%25%20%E2%80%93%20a%20record%20high%2C%20with%20the%20lowest%20levels%20in%20the%20region%20at%2013%25%20recorded%20in%202017.%0A%0ACoral%20cover%20averaged%2033%25%20in%20the%20central%20area%20%E2%80%93%20another%20record%20high%20compared%20to%20the%202019%20low%20of%2014%25.%0A%0AIn%20the%20southern%20region%2C%20the%20average%20coral%20cover%20dropped%20from%20a%202021%20estimate%20of%2038%25%20to%2034%25.%0A%0AWhile%20bleaching%20was%20widespread%20across%20the%20reef%20in%20February%20and%20March%2C%20Emslie%20said%20the%20heat%20stress%20had%20not%20reached%20levels%20likely%20to%20cause%20corals%20to%20die.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTo%20get%20at%20the%20impacts%20%5Bof%20the%20latest%20bleaching%5D%20we%20won%E2%80%99t%20know%20until%20we%20do%20in-water%20surveys%20over%20the%20next%20few%20weeks.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBut%20bleaching%20does%20have%20sublethal%20affects%20and%20will%20affect%20the%20physiology%20of%20the%20corals%20because%20while%20they%20bleach%20they%20have%20been%20starving.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20said%20there%20was%20evidence%20that%20even%20when%20corals%20did%20not%20die%20from%20bleaching%2C%20the%20phenomenon%20could%20reduce%20their%20ability%20to%20reproduce%2C%20slow%20their%20growth%20and%20make%20them%20more%20susceptible%20to%20coral%20disease.%0A%0AHe%20said%20it%20could%20take%20a%20year%20or%20more%20for%20those%20sublethal%20effects%20to%20become%20apparent.%0A%0AAs%20bleaching%20events%20were%20happening%20more%20often%2C%20future%20bleaching%20events%20could%20%E2%80%9Creverse%20the%20observed%20recovery%20in%20a%20short%20amount%20of%20time%E2%80%9D%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20most%20recent%20mass%20bleaching%20coincided%20with%20a%20UN%20monitoring%20mission%20to%20the%20reef%20that%20had%20been%20requested%20by%20the%20Morrison%20government%20as%20it%20attempted%20to%20fight%20a%20recommendation%20to%20place%20the%20reef%20on%20a%20list%20of%20world%20heritage%20sites%20in%20danger.%0A%0AThe%20status%20of%20the%20reef%20will%20be%20discussed%20at%20the%20next%20world%20heritage%20meeting%2C%20but%20a%20date%20has%20not%20yet%20been%20set%20after%20a%20scheduled%20June%20meeting%20was%20cancelled%20due%20to%20Russia%E2%80%99s%20invasion%20of%20Ukraine.%20Russia%20was%20due%20to%20host%20the%20meeting.

Record coral cover on parts of Great Barrier Reef

New%20Zealand%20has%20released%20its%20first%20national%20plan%20to%20prepare%20for%20the%20floods,%20fires%20and%20rising%20seas%20it%20expects%20to%20be%20unleashed%20by%20the%20climate%20crisis%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AClimate%20minister%20James%20Shaw,%20releasing%20the%20plan%20on%20Wednesday,%20said%20that%20while%20New%20Zealand%20would%20do%20its%20best%20to%20start%20reducing%20emissions,%20it%20was%20also%20preparing%20for%20a%20likely%20scenario%20of%20enormous%20climate%20disruption,%20and%20said%20it%20was%20%E2%80%9Ccrucial%E2%80%9D%20the%20country%20was%20prepared.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20already%20seen%20what%20can%20unfold.%20Severe%20weather%20events%20that%20had%20previously%20seemed%20unthinkable,%20even%20only%20a%20few%20years%20ago,%20are%20now%20happening%20at%20a%20pace%20and%20intensity%20we%20have%20never%20experienced%20before,%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20The%20plan%E2%80%99s%20release%20comes%20after%20weeks%20of%20wild%20weather%20and%20flooding%20across%20New%20Zealand.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CEven%20with%201.5%20degrees%20of%20warming,%20we%20are%20going%20to%20see%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%20on%20our%20communities%20and%20the%20way%20we%20live%20our%20lives,%E2%80%9D%20Shaw%20said.%0A%0AThe%20national%20Climate%20Adaptation%20plan%20is%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20first,%20and%20is%20a%20sprawling%20document%20that%20provides%20a%20roadmap%20for%20trying%20to%20protect%20infrastructure,%20housing,%20cities%20and%20cultural%20treasures%20as%20the%20planet%20heats.%0A%0AMuch%20of%20the%20plan%20is%20focused%20on%20preparing%20people,%20businesses,%20local%20governments%20and%20developers%20by%20ensuring%20they%20are%20adequately%20informed%20of%20risks%20and%20have%20to%20account%20for%20those%20risks%20in%20the%20planning%20process.%20Some%20of%20the%20changes%20include%20forcing%20councils%20to%20provide%20information%20about%20climate%20risks%20to%20prospective%20homebuyers,%20making%20councils%20account%20for%20climate%20change%20in%20planning%20regulations,%20and%20creating%20national%20mapping%20and%20public%20portals%20for%20people%20to%20see%20up-to-date%20information%20on%20how%20the%20climate%20crisis%20will%20affect%20their%20area.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20government%20has%20taken%20steps%20to%20support%20those%20communities%20affected,%20and%20will%20continue%20to%20do%20so,%E2%80%9D%20Shaw%20said.%20%E2%80%9CBut%20rather%20than%20having%20to%20deal%20with%20these%20events%20as%20and%20when%20they%20happen,%20what%20people%20want%20are%20the%20tools%20to%20prepare,%20so%20that%20when%20climate%20events%20occur%20their%20lives%20can%20continue.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhat%20the%20plan%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20provide,%20however,%20is%20an%20answer%20to%20one%20of%20the%20most%20crucial%20questions%20facing%20the%20country:%20when%20houses,%20streets%20or%20entire%20communities%20become%20uninhabitable%20due%20to%20climate%20change,%20who%20pays%20to%20shift%20them?%0A%0AThe%20question%20of%20%E2%80%9Cmanaged%20retreat%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%93%20who%20foots%20the%20bill%20when%20sea%20level%20rise%20or%20flooding%20renders%20a%20community%20unsafe%20or%20uninsurable%20%E2%80%93%20has%20become%20increasingly%20pressing%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20One%20in%20seven%20New%20Zealanders,%20or%20675,000%20people,%20live%20in%20areas%20prone%20to%20flooding,%20and%20another%2072,065%20live%20in%20areas%20projected%20to%20be%20subject%20to%20extreme%20sea%20level%20rise.%20A%202020%20government-funded%20report%20by%20Deep%20South%20Challenge%20%E2%80%93%20a%20national%20science%20collaboration%20%E2%80%93%20found%20at%20least%2010,000%20homes%20in%20New%20Zealand%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20cities%20would%20be%20in%20effect%20uninsurable%20by%202050.%20The%20government%20has%20committed%20to%20legislation%20on%20managed%20retreat%20by%20the%20end%20of%202023.%0A%0AScientists%20say%20the%20plan,%20while%20welcome,%20is%20light%20on%20detail.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CPaucity%20remains%20in%20some%20of%20the%20details,%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr%20Luke%20Harrington,%20senior%20lecturer%20in%20climate%20change%20at%20University%20of%20Waikato.%20%E2%80%9CThere%20also%20remains%20uncertainty%20about%20how%20a%20warming%20planet%20will%20modify%20climate%20hazards%20at%20the%20neighbourhood%20scale.%20Some%20of%20these%20uncertainties%20are%20unavoidable,%20but%20many%20can%20be%20reduced%20if%20the%20right%20scientific%20questions%20are%20asked.%20Unfortunately,%20this%20is%20not%20one%20of%20the%20knowledge%20gaps%20identified,%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0ADr%20Nick%20Cradock-Henry,%20a%20senior%20scientist%20at%20Manaaki%20Whenua%20%E2%80%93%20Landcare%20Research,%20said%20the%20new%20plan%20was%20%E2%80%9Coverdue,%20but%20welcome%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20we%20clean%20up%20following%20recent%20flooding,%20and%20face%20another%20potentially%20record-breaking%20year%20of%20extremes,%20this%20plan%20is%20a%20reminder%20that%20we%20still%20have%20a%20long%20way%20to%20go,%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CAdaptation%20to%20climate%20change%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20complex%20societal%20and%20environmental%20challenges%20we%20face,%20but%20with%20this%20plan%20we%20are%20at%20least%20moving%20in%20the%20right%20direction.%E2%80%9D

New Zealand issues climate change adaptation plan 

Scottish%20Government%20unveils%20plans%20to%20ensure%20all%20new%20homes%20and%20properties%20are%20fitted%20with%20low%20carbon%20alternatives%20to%20gas%20boilers%0AThe%20Scottish%20government%20has%20announced%20it%20plans%20to%20ban%20the%20installation%20of%20fossil%20fuel%20powered%20boilers%20in%20all%20new%20homes%20in%20Scotland%20from%202024.%0A%0AIn%20a%20consultation%20published%20late%20last%20week,%20the%20Scottish%20government%20unveiled%20a%20package%20of%20proposals%20to%20ensure%20all%20new%20buildings%20are%20be%20fitted%20with%20climate-friendly%20alternatives%20to%20fossil%20fuel%20heating%20systems.%0A%0ADubbed%20The%20New%20Building%20Heat%20Standard%20(Part%20II),%20the%20consultation%20sets%20out%20plans%20which%20would%20mean%20that%20direct%20emissions%20heating%20systems%20(DEH),%20such%20as%20those%20which%20run%20on%20fossil%20fuels,%20would%20no%20longer%20be%20installed%20in%20any%20homes%20or%20non-domestic%20buildings%20from%20April%202024.%0A%0AInstead,%20properties%20would%20have%20to%20be%20heated%20with%20low%20carbon%20alternatives,%20such%20as%20heat%20pumps,%20solar,%20and%20electric%20boiler%20systems.%0A%0A%22Scotland's%20homes%20and%20buildings%20account%20for%20approximately%20a%20fifth%20of%20all%20our%20emissions,%20and%20we%20know%20that%20we%20need%20to%20take%20bold,%20ambitious%20steps%20to%20ensure%20we%20meet%20our%20climate%20obligations,%22%20said%20Zero%20Carbon%20Buildings%20Minister,%20Patrick%20Harvie.%0A%0A%22New%20buildings%20will%20lead%20the%20way%20in%20cutting%20emissions,%20and%20earlier%20this%20year%20we%20published%20new%20energy%20standards%20that%20will%20cut%20emissions%20of%20all%20new-build%20homes%20by%20nearly%20a%20third.%0A%0A%22The%20proposed%20regulations%20are%20another%20major%20change%20to%20achieve%20our%20climate%20targets%20and%20make%20our%20homes%20and%20buildings%20warmer,%20greener%20and%20cheaper%20to%20run.%22%0A%0AIf%20adopted%20the%20timetable%20for%20ending%20the%20installation%20of%20gas%20boilers%20in%20new%20Scottish%20homes%20would%20mark%20an%20acceleration%20on%20similar%20plans%20adopted%20by%20the%20Westminster%20government,%20which%20would%20effectively%20ban%20gas%20boilers%20for%20new%20build%20homes%20from%202025.%0A%0AThe%20UK%20government%20had%20considered%20an%20earlier%20deadline%20of%202023%20for%20requiring%20house%20builders%20to%20end%20the%20installation%20of%20gas%20boilers,%20with%20green%20groups%20arguing%20that%20people%20buying%20new%20homes%20were%20being%20landed%20with%20properties%20where%20they%20would%20then%20have%20to%20bear%20the%20cost%20of%20switching%20to%20heat%20pumps%20or%20other%20low%20carbon%20alternatives%20at%20a%20later%20date.%20But%20Ministers%20opted%20for%20a%20later%20date%20of%202025%20following%20pressure%20from%20some%20house%20builders,%20which%20argued%20the%20supply%20chain%20and%20skills%20base%20for%20heat%20pump%20technologies%20was%20not%20yet%20sufficiently%20established%20to%20meet%20demand%20from%20the%20new%20build%20market.%0A%0AHowever,%20Scottish%20ministers%20have%20clearly%20decided%20that%20soaring%20demand%20for%20heat%20pumps%20and%20the%20urgent%20need%20to%20curb%20energy%20bills,%20carbon%20emissions,%20and%20gas%20imports%20justifies%20an%20earlier%20date%20for%20ending%20the%20installation%20of%20polluting%20boilers.

Gas boilers to be banned in new homes by 2024 

The%20cabinet%20adopted%20its%20draft%20finance%20plan%20for%20the%20so-called%20%E2%80%98Climate%20and%20Transformation%20Fund%E2%80%99%20on%20last%20week.%20The%20Fund%20is%20part%20of%20the%20federal%20budget%20and%20is%20now%20subject%20to%20parliamentary%20deliberations.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Fund%20is%20the%20most%20important%20financing%20instrument%20for%20economic%20modernisation%20and%20climate%20protection,%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Finance%20Minister%20Christian%20Lindner.%0A%0AThe%20majority%20of%20funds%20will%20contribute%20to%20supporting%20%E2%80%9Cclimate-friendly%E2%80%9D%20building%20renovation%20(%E2%82%AC56bn).%0A%0ASpace%20and%20water%20heating%20currently%20account%20for%20around%2030%25%20of%20Germany%E2%80%99s%20final%20energy%20consumption.%20The%20buildings%20sector%20also%20missed%20its%202020%20and%202021%20CO2%20emissions%20targets.%0A%0AMuch%20of%20the%20funding%20will%20go%20towards%20renovating%20the%20buildings%20in%20the%20bottom%2025%25%20of%20energy%20performance%20%E2%80%93%20a%20plan%20that%20Brussels%20is%20currently%20working%20to%20make%20mandatory%20through%20the%20Energy%20Performance%20of%20Buildings%20Directive.%20The%20fund%20also%20cements%20a%20switch%20in%20priorities,%20away%20from%20supporting%20the%20construction%20of%20new%20homes%20to%20renovating%20existing%20ones.%0A%0AOne%20euro%20spent%20on%20renovation%20is%20ten%20times%20more%20efficient%20than%20if%20it%20was%20spent%20on%20a%20new%20home,%20a%20senior%20official%20said.%0A%0AAnother%20%E2%82%AC35.5bn%20is%20earmarked%20for%20subsidising%20the%20renewable%20levy%20to%20lower%20electricity%20prices%20and%20a%20further%20%E2%82%AC20bn%20will%20go%20towards%20decarbonising%20industry%20and%20implementing%20Germany%E2%80%99s%20hydrogen%20strategy.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20fully%20finance%20the%20subsidisation%20of%20renewable%20energies%20from%20the%20Climate%20and%20Transformation%20Fund,%E2%80%9D%20Lindner%20explained.%0A%0AGermany%20has%20abolished%20the%20renewables%20levy%20consumers%20used%20to%20pay%20with%20their%20power%20bills%20to%20help%20finance%20the%20expansion%20of%20wind%20and%20solar%20power.%20Instead,%20the%20support%20will%20now%20be%20covered%20through%20the%20federal%20budget,%20as%20part%20of%20the%20measures%20put%20in%20place%20to%20alleviate%20the%20strain%20of%20electricity%20prices.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20also%20includes%20support%20programmes%20for%20sectors%20like%20transport%20(e.g.%20e-mobility%20charging%20infrastructure).%20Support%20for%20energy%20and%20resource%20efficiency%20will%20be%20relatively%20slim,%20at%20%E2%82%AC3.4bn.%0A%0AKey%20leading%20factors%0A%0AThe%20fund%20is%20fed,%20among%20other%20things,%20by%20the%20proceeds%20of%20the%20European%20and%20national%20carbon%20pricing,%20the%20German%20economy%20and%20climate%20action%20ministry%20said.%20Germany%20subjects%20gasoline%20and%20heating%20oil%20to%20a%20flat%20price%20that%20will%20be%20set%20to%20%E2%82%AC55%20per%20tonne%20of%20emitted%20carbon%20as%20of%202025.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20ensures%20that%20the%20state%E2%80%99s%20climate%20protection%20revenues%20flow%20directly%20into%20the%20most%20pioneering%20investments%20possible%20for%20effective%20climate%20protection%20measures,%E2%80%9D%20the%20ministry%20added.%0A%0AA%20recent%20analysis%20by%20consultancy%20Prognos%20for%20public%20development%20bank%20KfW%20said%20that%20the%20German%20government%20will%20have%20to%20invest%20almost%20half%20a%20trillion%20euros%20to%20reach%20its%202045%20climate-neutral%20target.%0A%0AMeanwhile,%20the%20total%20investments%20%E2%80%93%20including%20by%20private%20households%20and%20businesses%20%E2%80%93%20necessary%20to%20make%20Germany%20climate%20neutral%20add%20up%20to%20around%20five%20trillion%20euros,%20according%20to%20a%20report%20conducted%20by%20consultancies%20Prognos,%20Nextra%20Consulting%20and%20NKI%20for%20KfW%20in%20late%202021.

Germany improves energy efficiency in building

Ireland%20has%20committed%20to%20a%2025%25%20cut%20in%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20agriculture%20by%202030%20after%20a%20bitter%20political%20battle%20between%20farmers%2C%20business%20groups%20and%20environmentalists.%0A%0AThe%20coalition%20government%20on%20Thursday%20announced%20binding%20sectoral%20targets%20to%20slash%20overall%20carbon%20emissions%20by%2051%25%20by%202030%2C%20a%20daunting%20challenge%20for%20a%20country%20that%20has%20consistently%20missed%20climate%20goals%2C%20making%20it%20per%20capita%20one%20of%20the%20world%20highest%20emitters.%0A%0AEamon%20Ryan%2C%20the%20environment%20minister%20and%20Irish%20Green%20party%20leader%2C%20called%20the%20announcement%20%E2%80%9Chugely%20significant%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20most%20contested%20sector%20was%20agriculture.%20It%20causes%20about%2037%25%20of%20Ireland%E2%80%99s%20emissions%20but%20farm%20groups%20lobbied%20hard%20for%20special%20treatment%2C%20citing%20its%20traditional%20role%20in%20society%20and%20food%20security.%0A%0AThe%2025%25%20target%20was%20a%20compromise%20between%20farmers%20who%20hoped%20for%2022%25%20and%20environmentalists%20and%20representatives%20of%20other%20sectors%20who%20wanted%20agriculture%20to%20cut%20emissions%20by%2030%25.%0A%0AThe%20agriculture%20cuts%20will%20be%20incentivised%20and%20voluntary%2C%20rather%20than%20mandated%2C%20but%20cattle%20farmers%20will%20face%20pressure%20to%20cull%20cattle.%0A%0ATim%20Cullinan%2C%20the%20leader%20of%20the%20Irish%20Farmers%E2%80%99%20Association%20(IFA)%2C%20said%20the%20target%20was%20about%20the%20survival%20of%20the%20government%20rather%20than%20survival%20of%20rural%20Ireland.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20potentially%20devastating%20blow%20for%20Irish%20farming%20and%20the%20rural%20economy%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Irish%20Creamery%20Milk%20Suppliers%20Association%20called%20the%20deal%20a%20%E2%80%9Csellout%E2%80%9D%20that%20would%20make%20many%20farms%20unviable.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20other%20sectors%20face%20higher%20targets%2C%20partly%20to%20compensate%20for%20agriculture%E2%80%99s%20dispensation.%20Transport%20must%20reduce%20emissions%20by%2050%25%2C%20commercial%20and%20public%20buildings%20by%2040%25%20and%20industry%20by%2035%25.%0A%0ABusiness%20groups%20accused%20the%20government%20%E2%80%93%20which%20includes%20many%20rural%20members%20of%20parliament%20from%20the%20Fianna%20F%C3%A1il%20and%20Fine%20Gael%20parties%20%E2%80%93%20of%20buckling%20to%20the%20agriculture%20lobby.%20%E2%80%9CFarming%20accounts%20for%201%25%20of%20our%20national%20income.%20Even%20in%20regional%20areas%20its%20job%20creation%20effect%20is%20marginal.%20Farming%20is%2C%20however%2C%20an%20outsized%20part%20of%20our%20CO2%20emissions%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Shane%20Conneely%2C%20of%20the%20business%20organisation%20Chambers%20Ireland.%0A%0AOis%C3%ADn%20Coghlan%2C%20the%20director%20of%20Friends%20of%20the%20Earth%20Ireland%2C%20said%20agriculture%20should%20have%20faced%20higher%20targets%20but%20that%20the%20priority%20now%20was%20transformative%20action.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20time%20for%20talking%20is%20finally%20over%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20time%20for%20a%20relentless%20focus%20now%20on%20delivery%2C%20delivery%2C%20delivery.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIrish%20authorities%20admit%20they%20are%20climate%20laggards.%20Instead%20of%20emissions%20falling%20last%20year%20they%20rose%204.7%25%2C%20exceeding%20pre-pandemic%202019%20levels.%20Ireland%20also%20missed%20its%20legally%20binding%20commitment%20to%20cut%20emissions%20by%2020%25%20by%202020%20and%20has%20struggled%20to%20curb%20peat%20cutting.%0A%0ASceptics%20doubt%20whether%20efforts%20to%20entice%20more%20people%20to%20use%20public%20transport%2C%20put%201m%20electric%20cars%20on%20the%20road%20and%20retrofit%20homes%20will%20reach%20the%20required%20scale.%0A%0AEven%20if%20all%20sectors%20reach%20their%20targets%2C%20Ireland%20will%20be%20shy%20of%20the%2051%25%20reduction%20that%20is%20mandated%20by%20law.%20Twenty-six%20million%20tonnes%20of%20carbon%20reductions%20are%20%E2%80%9Cunallocated%E2%80%9D%20pending%20further%20studies%20of%20land%20use.%20Authorities%20hope%20technological%20advances%20will%20help%20plug%20the%20gap.

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