Global%20tech%20giant%20Microsoft%20has%20announced%20it%20has%20signed%20a%2010-year%20carbon%20removal%20offtake%20agreement%20with%20Swiss%20direct%20air%20capture%20firm%20Climeworks%20that%20will%20see%20it%20fund%20the%20removal%20of%2010%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20CO2%20emissions%20from%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20new%20long%20term%20agreement%2C%20announced%20yesterday%2C%20will%20see%20Climeworks%20become%20Microsoft's%20first%20long-term%20carbon%20removal%20supplier%2C%20and%20a%20key%20enabler%20of%20the%20tech%20company's%20mission%20to%20reach%20'negative'%20emissions%20by%202030%20and%20compensate%20for%20all%20the%20company's%20historical%20operational%20emissions%20by%20mid-century%20by%202050.%0A%0AClimeworks%2C%20which%20operates%20a%20small-scale%20DAC%20system%20in%20Iceland%2C%20said%20the%20deal%20with%20Microsoft%20is%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20DAC%20agreements%20signed%20to%20date%2C%20noting%20that%20long-term%20agreements%20would%20be%20critical%20to%20providing%20it%20with%20the%20capital%20to%20accelerate%20the%20deployment%20of%20carbon%20removal%20plants.%0A%0AThe%20firm's%20pioneering%20Orca%20plant%20removes%20CO2%20from%20the%20air%20and%20then%20stores%20under%20the%20Icelandic%20bedrock%2C%20by%20reacting%20the%20captured%20gas%20with%20rock%20to%20enable%20permanent%20sequestration.%20The%20company%20recently%20announced%20it%20had%20broken%20ground%20on%20its%20second%20plant%20-%20dubbed%20Mammoth%20-%20as%20it%20works%20to%20deliver%20%22multi-megaton%20capacity%20by%202030%22.%0A%0A%22Long-term%20commitments%20like%20this%20multi-year%20agreement%20are%20crucial%20for%20scaling%20the%20DAC%20industry%20because%20the%20guaranteed%20demand%20catalyses%20financing%20of%20our%20infrastructure%20and%20consequently%20accelerates%20the%20development%20of%20the%20required%20ecosystem%20for%20scaling%20DAC%2C%22%20said%20Christoph%20Gebald%2C%20chief%20executive%20and%20co-founder%20of%20Climeworks.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20is%20the%20second%20carbon%20removal%20contract%20inked%20between%20the%20two%20companies%2C%20coming%20nearly%20a%20year%20after%20Microsoft%20included%20Climeworks%20in%20its%20ever%20first%20carbon%20renewal%20portfolio.%0A%0ALucas%20Joppa%2C%20Microsoft's%20chief%20environmental%20officer%2C%20said%20the%20multi-year%20offtake%20agreement%20marked%20an%20%22important%20step%20in%20%5BMicrosoft's%5D%20journey%20towards%20realising%20the%20'net'%20in%20net%20zero%22.%0A%0A%22Our%20experience%20in%20purchasing%20renewable%20energy%20shows%20that%20long-term%20agreements%20can%20provide%20an%20essential%20foundation%20for%20society's%20race%20to%20scale%20new%20decarbonisation%20technologies%2C%22%20Joppa%20added.%20%22Paired%20with%20Microsoft's%20Climate%20Innovation%20Fund%20investment%20in%20Climeworks'%20direct%20air%20capture%20plant%2C%20this%20agreement%20with%20Climeworks%20can%20help%20kickstart%20the%20commercial%20and%20technical%20progress%20in%20a%20nascent%20but%20crucial%20industry%20to%20achieve%20IPCC%20targets.%22%0A%0AMicrosoft%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20string%20of%20global%20companies%20to%20have%20signed%20offset%20agreements%20with%20Climeworks.%20Its%20other%20clients%20include%20global%20jewellery%20house%20Swarovski%2C%20which%20previously%20agreed%20a%20five-year%20CO2%20removal%20deal%20with%20Climeworks%2C%20insurer%20Swiss%20Re%2C%20financial%20services%20company%20Square%20Inc%2C%20and%20online%20grocer%20Ocado.%0A%0AThe%20Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change%20(IPCC)%20has%20calculated%20that%20three%20to%2012%20billion%20tonnes%20of%20CO2%20needs%20to%20be%20removed%20from%20the%20air%20annually%20every%20year%20by%202050%20in%20order%20to%20limit%20global%20warming%20to%201.5C.%0A%0ADirect%20air%20capture%20and%20storage%20is%20expected%20to%20contribute%20a%20significant%20part%20of%20this%20emissions%20elimination%20drive%2C%20with%20a%20potential%20of%20removing%20up%20to%20310%20billion%20tons%20of%20CO2%20by%202100%2C%20according%20to%20the%20IPCC.

Microsoft inks 10-year CO2 removal deal

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New Zealand aims to eradicate invasive predators

The%20new%20America%20the%20Beautiful%20Challenge%20will%20help%20tribes%2C%20territories%2C%20states%20and%20NGOs%20apply%20for%20grants%20for%20conservation%20projects.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20plans%20to%20use%20the%20new%20%241%20billion%20program%20to%20help%20reach%20its%20goal%20of%20conserving%2030%25%20of%20U.S.%20waters%20and%20lands%20by%202030.%0A%0AOver%20the%20next%20five%20years%2C%20an%20initial%20%24440%20million%20will%20fund%20the%20challenge.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20hopes%20that%20philanthropic%20and%20private%20donations%20will%20boost%20America%20the%20Beautiful%20to%20its%20%241%20billion%20target.%0A%0AThe%20program%20%E2%80%9Cwill%20help%20mobilize%20new%20investments%20in%20locally%20led%2C%20voluntary%20conservation%20and%20restoration%20projects%20across%20the%20country%2C%20while%20making%20it%20easier%20for%20communities%20to%20access%20these%20resources%2C%E2%80%9D%20Brenda%20Mallory%2C%20chair%20of%20the%20White%20House%20Council%20on%20Environmental%20Quality%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AMany%20types%20of%20terrain%20stand%20to%20gain.%20Coasts%2C%20rivers%2C%20forests%2C%20grasslands%20and%20wetlands%20are%20all%20eligible%20for%20the%20award%20money.%20Groups%20working%20on%20expanding%20outdoor%20access%2C%20helping%20animals%20navigate%20landscapes%2C%20and%20increasing%20resiliency%20to%20climate%20impacts%20such%20as%20drought%20and%20coastal%20flooding%20can%20also%20apply%20for%20funding.%0A%0APrivate%20nonprofit%20the%20National%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Foundation%20will%20oversee%20America%20the%20Beautiful.%20Tribal%20and%20Indigenous-led%20projects%20have%20priority.%20Ecosystem%20restoration%20funds%20of%20%24375%20million%20came%20to%20the%20Interior%20Department%20through%20a%20bipartisan%20infrastructure%20law.%20The%20Forest%20Service%20is%20kicking%20in%20%2435%20million%20in%20grants%20for%20improving%20water%20quality%20and%20preventing%20invasive%20species.%20The%20Department%20of%20Defense%E2%80%99s%20%2425%20million%20will%20help%20preserve%20natural%20resources%20near%20military%20installations.%0A%0ANot%20everybody%20wants%20to%20conserve%20land%2C%20though.%20Several%20climate-denying%20and%20anti-fed%20groups%20are%20hosting%20a%20Stop%2030%C3%9730%20Summit%20later%20this%20month%20in%20Nebraska.%20Some%20big-name%20Republicans%20will%20be%20there%20to%20rant%20against%20the%20initiative.%20If%20you%20go%2C%20don%E2%80%99t%20expect%20any%20decent%20vegan%20refreshments.%0A%0ABut%20many%20who%20understand%20the%20program%20are%20happy.%20%E2%80%9CProtecting%2030%25%20of%20America%E2%80%99s%20lands%20and%20waters%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%20can%20only%20be%20accomplished%20through%20partnerships%20and%20knowledge%20on%20the%20ground%20in%20all%2050%20states%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jennifer%20Rokala%2C%20executive%20director%20of%20the%20conservation%20group%20Center%20for%20Western%20Priorities%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20HuffPost.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20billion-dollar%20commitment%20shows%20the%20administration%20is%20on%20the%20right%20track%20to%20reaching%2030%C3%9730.%E2%80%9D

Conservation projects on track to score $1B

Along%20with%20the%20many%20costs%20of%20Russia%E2%80%99s%20attack%20on%20Ukraine%2C%20there%20could%20be%20devastating%20environmental%20consequences.%20Many%20observers%20are%20especially%20worried%20about%20the%20potential%20for%20nuclear%20catastrophes.%0A%0ASome%20Russians%20are%20concerned%20about%20the%20environmental%20effects%20of%20the%20war%2C%20too.%20Oleg%20Anisimov%2C%20head%20of%20the%20Russian%20delegation%20at%20a%20closed-door%20U.N.%20climate%20conference%2C%20apologized%20for%20Russia%E2%80%99s%20invasion%20of%20Ukraine.%20%E2%80%9CLet%20me%20present%20an%20apology%20on%20behalf%20of%20all%20Russians%20who%20were%20not%20able%20to%20prevent%20this%20conflict%2C%E2%80%9D%20Anisimov%20said%2C%20according%20to%20sources%20at%20the%20meeting%20and%20reported%20by%20The%20Washington%20Post%20and%20other%20news%20outlets.%0A%0AExperts%20warn%20that%20if%20Russia%20targets%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20chemical%20plants%2C%20electric%20grid%20or%20industrial%20infrastructure%2C%20there%20could%20be%20widespread%20and%20long-lasting%20trouble.%20%E2%80%9CEastern%20Ukraine%20is%20full%20of%20industrial%20sites%20like%20metallurgical%20plants%2C%20chemical%20factories%2C%20power%20stations%20and%20run-down%20mines%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Richard%20Pearshouse%2C%20the%20head%20of%20Crisis%20and%20the%20Environment%20at%20Amnesty%20International%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20Grist.%20%E2%80%9CFighting%20around%20these%20sites%20risks%20generating%20extreme%20toxic%20pollution%2C%20with%20severe%20health%20impacts%20worsening%20the%20already%20horrific%20humanitarian%20crisis%20for%20local%20people.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIntentionally%20attacking%20civilian%20infrastructure%20is%20illegal%20under%20the%20laws%20of%20war%2C%20according%20to%20Pearshouse.%20But%20is%20Putin%20concerned%20about%20the%20laws%20of%20war%3F%20Probably%20not.%20Pearshouse%20asked%20military%20commanders%20to%20%E2%80%9Ctake%20all%20feasible%20precautions%20to%20minimize%20harm%20to%20civilians%20and%20civilian%20objects.%E2%80%9D%20When%20fighting%20in%20crowded%20urban%20areas%2C%20stray%20artillery%20can%20easily%20hit%20vulnerable%20sites.%0A%0AUkraine%20has%20already%20suffered%20more%20than%20its%20fair%20share%20of%20environmental%20disasters.%20The%201986%20Chernobyl%20accident%20is%20the%20most%20famous.%20A%20power%20surge%20destroyed%20a%20unit%20at%20a%20nuclear%20power%20station%2C%20releasing%20a%20massive%20amount%20of%20radioactive%20material%20into%20the%20environment.%20Thirty-one%20people%20died%20immediately%2C%20and%20the%20health%20and%20environmental%20consequences%20were%20far-reaching.%0A%0AIn%20Eastern%20Ukraine%2C%20the%20heavily%20industrialized%20Donbas%20area%20has%20tons%20of%20toxic%20waste%20from%20chemical%20manufacturing%20and%20coal%20mining.%20Since%202014%2C%20Ukrainians%20have%20been%20fighting%20pro-Russian%20forces%20in%20the%20Donbas%20War.%20The%20war%20has%20damaged%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20water%20infrastructure%20and%20polluted%20rivers.%20Untreated%20sewage%20has%20long%20flowed%20into%20the%20Donetsk%20River.%20Abandoned%20mines%20have%20contaminated%20the%20groundwater%20with%20lead%2C%20arsenic%2C%20mercury%20and%20other%20heavy%20metals.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDonbas%20is%20on%20the%20precipice%20of%20an%20ecological%20catastrophe%20fueled%20by%20air%2C%20soil%20and%20water%20pollution%20from%20the%20combustion%20of%20large%20amounts%20of%20ammunition%20in%20the%20fighting%20and%20flooding%20at%20industrial%20plants%2C%E2%80%9D%20Leila%20Urekenova%2C%20an%20analyst%20for%20the%20U.N.%20Environment%20Programme%2C%20said%20back%20in%202018%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20Grist.%20%E2%80%9CThere%20is%20an%20urgent%20need%20for%20ecological%20monitoring%20to%20assess%20and%20minimize%20the%20environmental%20risks%20arising%20from%20the%20armed%20conflict.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0AInstead%2C%20the%20environmental%20problems%20are%20snowballing.%20As%20the%20armed%20conflict%20escalates%2C%20so%20does%20the%20toll%20on%20the%20land.

War escalates environmental problems in Ukraine

The%20White%20House%20has%20announced%20new%20limits%20for%20the%20biggest%20polluters%20on%20America%E2%80%99s%20roads%20including%20heavy%20trucks%20and%20delivery%20vans%20while%20rolling%20out%20investment%20for%20more%20clean%20and%20climate-friendly%20fleets%20of%20public%20and%20school%20buses.%0A%0AThe%20roll-out%20is%20part%20of%20President%20Joe%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20plan%20to%20cut%20US%20carbon%20emissions%20in%20half%2C%20from%202005%20levels%2C%20by%202030.%20Transportation%20accounts%20for%20the%20largest%20portion%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20total%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20at%20around%2029%20per%20cent.%0A%0AThe%20new%20actions%20includes%20a%20proposed%20rule%20from%20the%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(EPA)%20that%20would%20reduce%20harmful%20nitrogen%20oxides%20(NOx)%20emissions%20from%20new%20trucks%20up%20to%2090%20per%20cent%20by%202031%20over%20today%E2%80%99s%20levels.%20It%20will%20save%20roughly%202%2C000%20lives%20every%20year%2C%20eliminate%2018%2C000%20cases%20of%20childhood%20asthma%2C%20and%20lead%20to%201.1%20million%20fewer%20missed%20days%20of%20school%2C%20the%20Biden%20administration%20says.%0A%0AVice%20President%20Kamala%20Harris%20announced%20the%20package%20on%20Monday%20including%20%245.5%20billion%20to%20shift%20the%20US%20to%20low%20or%20zero-emission%20transit%20buses%20with%20about%20%241.5bn%20made%20available%20this%20year.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20making%20the%20largest%20ever%20investment%20in%20this%20programme%20for%20buses%20and%20bus%20facilities%2C%20helping%20to%20deliver%20better%20commutes%20and%20cleaner%20air%20to%20American%20communities%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Transportation%20Secretary%20Pete%20Buttigieg%2C%20who%20joined%20VP%20Harris%20and%20EPA%20Administrator%20Michael%20Regan%20at%20the%20White%20House%20event.%0A%0ASome%20%2417%20million%20will%20be%20used%20to%20switch%20America%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20yellow%20school%20buses%20to%20all-electric%20or%20low-emission%20models%2C%20with%20%247m%20awarded%20to%20replace%20old%20diesel%20buses%20in%20underserved%20communities.%0A%0AA%20number%20of%20public%20transport%20operations%20are%20moving%20towards%20an%20electric%20bus%20fleet.%20California%2C%20New%20York%20City%20and%20Boston%20have%20all%20announced%20they%20will%20have%20switched%20over%20to%20electric%20buses%20by%20204%2C%20while%20Washington%20DC%20is%20aiming%20for%202045.%0A%0AThe%20program%20will%20also%20boost%20workforce%20training%20to%20%E2%80%9Cupskill%E2%80%9D%20transit%20workers%20to%20keep%20these%20new%20vehicles%20running.%0A%0APorts%20will%20also%20be%20part%20of%20the%20pollution-cutting%20plan%20with%20a%20focus%20on%20reducing%20emissions%20from%20heavy-duty%20road%20vehicles%20and%20rail%20that%20serve%20operations%20along%20coasts%2C%20rivers%2C%20and%20on%20the%20Great%20Lakes.%0A%0AThe%20federal%20government%20will%20also%20double%20its%20own%20number%20of%20zero-emission%20medium%20and%20heavy-duty%20vehicle%20models%20for%20federal%20agencies%2C%20with%20the%20aim%20to%20be%20100%20per%20cent%20net-zero%20by%202035.

New limits on carbon emissions for heavy trucks

After%20Russian%20troops%20captured%20Chernobyl%20yesterday%2C%20scientists%20and%20environmental%20experts%20have%20warned%20about%20the%20potential%20ecological%20disaster%20that%20could%20unfold.%0A%0AUkrainian%20Prime%20Minister%20Denys%20Shmyhal%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20that%20the%20former%20nuclear%20power%20plant%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20surrounding%2030-kilometre%20Exclusion%20Zone%2C%20are%20now%20under%20armed%20Russian%20control.%0A%0AEarlier%20in%20the%20day%2C%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20president%2C%20Volodymyr%20Zelenskyy%2C%20said%20Ukrainian%20%E2%80%9Cdefenders%20are%20giving%20their%20lives%20so%20that%20the%20tragedy%20of%201986%20will%20not%20be%20repeated.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%0AChernobyl%20was%20the%20site%20of%20the%20worst%20nuclear%20disaster%20in%20history%2C%20after%20a%20reactor%20exploded%20and%20spread%20radioactive%20waste%20across%20Europe%20in%20April%201986.%0A%0AIn%20recent%20years%20the%20site%20has%20become%20a%20popular%20tourism%20spot%2C%20as%20well%20as%20an%20unexpected%20environmental%20success%20story%20as%20various%20species%20began%20to%20flourish%20in%20the%20region.%0A%0AToday%2C%20radiation%20readings%20from%20Chernobyl%20are%20being%20reported%20as%20above%20average%20sparking%20global%20concern.%0A%0AWhy%20are%20environmental%20scientists%20concerned%20about%20Chernobyl%20being%20captured%3F%0AData%20from%20the%20Exclusion%20Zone%20is%20currently%20showing%20increased%20levels%20of%20gamma%20radiation.%0A%0A%0AThe%20State%20Nuclear%20Regulatory%20Inspectorate%20of%20Ukraine%20said%20%E2%80%9Ccontrol%20levels%20of%20gamma%20radiation%20dose%20rate%20have%20been%20exceeded%20at%20a%20significant%20number%20of%20observation%20points.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AOther%20experts%20have%20suggested%20that%20a%20spike%20in%20radiation%20is%20likely%20due%20to%20the%20soil%20being%20disturbed%2C%20rather%20than%20a%20reactor%20breach.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CResuspension%20of%20dust%20and%20soil%20is%20likely%20one%20of%20the%20factors%20of%20higher%20levels%20of%20radiation%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Wim%20Zwijnenburg%2C%20the%20Humanitarian%20Disarmament%20Project%20Leader%20for%20the%20Dutch%20peace%20organisation%20PAX.%0A%0AThe%20International%20Atomic%20Energy%20Agency%20(IAEA)%20has%20said%20it%20is%20following%20the%20situation%20in%20Ukraine%20%E2%80%9Cwith%20grave%20concern%E2%80%9D%2C%20but%20noted%20that%20there%20has%20been%20no%20reported%20destruction%20at%20the%20Chernobyl%20nuclear%20plant%20site.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20of%20vital%20importance%20that%20the%20safe%20and%20secure%20operations%20of%20the%20nuclear%20facilities%20in%20%5Bthe%20Chernobyl%20Exclusion%20Zone%5D%20should%20not%20be%20affected%20or%20disrupted%20in%20any%20way%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20IAEA%E2%80%99s%20Director%20General%20Rafael%20Mariano%20Grossi.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20they%20added%2C%20%E2%80%9Cit%20is%20currently%20impossible%20to%20establish%20the%20reasons%20for%20the%20change%20in%20the%20radiation%20background%20in%20the%20exclusion%20zone%20because%20of%20the%20occupation%20and%20military%20fight%20in%20this%20territory.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20afternoon%20the%20IAEA%20released%20an%20updated%20statement%20saying%20the%20raised%20radiation%20levels%20are%20not%20a%20cause%20for%20concern%20right%20now.%0A%0A%22Regarding%20reports%20earlier%20today%20of%20higher%20radiation%20measurements%20at%20the%20Chornobyl%20site%2C%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20regulatory%20authority%20said%20that%20they%20may%20have%20been%20caused%20by%20heavy%20military%20vehicles%20stirring%20up%20soil%20still%20contaminated%20from%20the%201986%20accident%2C%22%20reads%20the%20IAEA's%20statement.%0A%0A%22The%20IAEA%20assesses%20that%20the%20readings%20reported%20by%20the%20regulator%20%E2%80%93%20of%20up%20to%209.46%20microSieverts%20per%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20are%20low%20and%20remain%20within%20the%20operational%20range%20measured%20in%20the%20Exclusion%20Zone%20since%20it%20was%20established%2C%20and%20therefore%20do%20not%20pose%20any%20danger%20to%20the%20public.%22%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20there%20is%20a%20shelter%20over%20the%20plant%20which%20was%20constructed%20to%20prevent%20the%20release%20of%20hundreds%20of%20tonnes%20of%20radioactive%20matter.%0A%0AThis%20was%20upgraded%20in%202016%20and%20the%20structure%20is%20reportedly%20able%20to%20%E2%80%9Cwithstand%20a%20tornado%E2%80%9D%20and%20stand%20for%20at%20least%20100%20years%2C%20according%20to%20the%20European%20Bank%20for%20Reconstruction%20and%20Development.%0A%0AThe%20risk%20in%20the%20zone%20is%20the%20nuclear%20waste%20stored%20in%20the%20area.%20These%20waste%20sites%20contain%20radioactive%20material%20and%20there%20are%20some%20hotspots%20inside%20the%20zone%20too.%0A%0AEpidemiology%20and%20biostatistics%20professor%20Lydia%20Zablotska%20told%20the%20Washington%20Post%20that%20staff%20working%20in%20Chernobyl%20were%20aware%20of%20these%20sites%2C%20but%20incoming%20troops%20won%E2%80%99t%20know%20the%20layout%20or%20where%20to%20avoid%20in%20the%20zone.%0A%0AThis%20could%20pot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Radiation levels at Chernobyl are rising

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