January 2020: Monthly Environmental News Roundup

1. MICROSOFT PREPARES GOAL FOR SAFE ENVIRONMENT BY 2030

Since Microsoft founded in 1975, the carbon released to the environment would negative by 2030. The company plans to reduce and remove its carbon emission very soon. According to Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, said that the whole world would need to reach zero carbon emission for moving faster and go further ahead. He also added that the new technology for this global achievement would help its suppliers and customers. For carbon reduction, Microsoft is going to form a climate innovation fund of $1 billion. It will be started in the process of its supply chain, from the next year.

2. 80 MAJOR SET BACKS ARE MADE IN CLIMATIC REGULATIONS IN 2030 BY TRUMP

Due to climatic change and fossil fuel pollution, President Donald Trump has targeted to roll back the environmental rules and regulations to protect air, water, land, and public health. This is because of the higher level of greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths. The five major changes are for the protection of endangered animals and getting clean water in the U.S. The proposal to reducing the methane levels that is escaping from oil and gas sites, the cause of global warming. Another regulation for curb the chemicals and the pollutants in the rivers, lakes, and streams by restrict to use of pesticides and fertilizers nearby the water resources. For endangered species, the rule made to protect from human threats and global warming.

3. UK’S GOVT. URGES HALF OF ITS FARMLAND TRANSFORM INTO WOODLAND

To fight against climatic crisis and restoration of wildlife, UK’s farmland urges to be transformed into a natural habitat to the restoration of wildlife. Prof. Sir Ian Boyd, chief scientific adviser of UK govt. said that such changes help to prevent flood and providing a beautiful landscape to boost own health. The uplands where livestock is reared cannot be used to crop productions, are a better choice to grow trees. By developing vertical farms, 20% of food production lost. Now people are more conscious about improving their health rather than livestock production, the cause of huge environmental damage. So, people choose a balanced diet by reducing the habit to eat meat.  The national farmer Union published a plan for ending the climatic heating emissions by 2040 from agricultural land.

4. NGT DIRECTS ISSUE NOTIFICATION WITHIN TWO MONTH FOR BANNING RO PURIFIERS

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Environment Ministry, to issue a notification banning RO purifiers within two months. The purifiers that have TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) value below 500Mg per literThe tribunal also asked the Government to prohibit the RO purifiers having TDS of below 500mg per liter. In a report, it is said that RO is not useful as it removes some important minerals as well as the cause of wastage of water. Next hearing about the matter is listed on March 23 for preventing the wastage of RO systems.

5. RANGERS IN INDONESIA’S ACEH GET FIREARMS AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATORS

Forest rangers in Indonesia’s Aech will be allowed to carry firearms against the illegal loggers and miners. From 1970, The Aech’s forest was disarmed due to separatist insurgency. For this, the government has estimated to spend $102,000 to buy rifles for local rangers. To reduce the abuse of Firearms, rangers must have to go in testing and training to get a gun license. This plan is highly welcomed by the conservationists. But it may create a problem for the endangered animals those are still remaining at there. The Islamic bylaw would mention 100 lashes of the cane for wildlife poachers for violators.

6. DEFORESTATION HITS HIGHEST LEVEL AT THE END OF 2019 IN LAST 13 YEARS

The data released by Brazil’s national space research institute, reveals that deforestation hits the highest level at the end of 2019. It was recorded that 8,870 sq. kilometers of deforestation by the end of 31^st December 2019. Brazilian Amazon is the largest land area of earth’s largest rain forest. The forest fire in Amazon was the major headlines worldwide in the month of August and September. The blackened smoke covered the sky above Sao Paulo. The forest fire in Amazon is not easily detectable because of burning below the canopy. Deforestation has been increasing in Amazon in recent years. This would create a major implication for rainfall, power generation, and agriculture.

7. 2019 WAS THE SECOND HOTTEST YEAR

According to US National Oceanic and Atlantic Administration (NOAA), the average global temperature was recorded in December 2019 was the second-highest record from record-keeping in 1880. The average temperature in 2019 across the land surface and the ocean surface was 0.95 degrees Celsius above the average temperature of the 20th century. NASA reported that now Earth’s average surface temperature is increased 1 degree Celsius higher than in the late 19th century. After analyzing the report NASA and WMO (World Meteorological Organization) made a confirmation that 2019 was the second hottest year in the last 140-year record. So it is expected to continue the extreme climatic condition as in 2019.

8. SCOTTISH HEALTH PROJECT TACKLE HARM CAUSED TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Every year in Scotland, 100 million treatments are prescribed. The pills, after passing through a person’s body, its compounds reach rivers, and the sea because plants cannot filter these compounds associated with wastewater them out. There may be possible threats to marine wildlife. The One Health Breakthrough Partnership investigate the problems in Scotland and find ways to reduce the number of such compounds in natural water resources. These potential solutions as a by-product of the whiskey distilling industry, include using bark, or grain left having the capacity to absorb the material from wastewater.

9. GLOBAL POLICYMAKER PROPOSED EXTEND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION RATE BY 30%

The global policymaker has been proposing for extending the protection rate to at least 30% in different ecosystems throughout the world. The proposal will be passed in the Convention on Biological Diversity summit held in China. The government will make a framework for biodiversity protection of endangered species. Scientists argued that a huge mass of species is died by human activity. There may be the chance of extinction of a million species. For saving bio-diversity and protecting ecosystem the pollution arises from the organic sources and plastic wastes should be optimized. Nature-based solutions are the central theme of this proposal.

10. 30% of koalas on the New South Wales killed bushfire crisis

Australia’s Environment minister has said that 30% of koalas have been killed in the ongoing crisis of bushfire. In New South Wales, about 3.4 hectares have been burnt till now. The Mid-north coast of New South Wales is home to koalas, with an estimated population of 15,000 to 28,000 number. Recently, their natural habitat has been destroyed by the fires. The species is functionally extinct and is under threat. It was told from an inquiry that thousands of koalas had been killed. This endangered population has been decreased by the destruction of habitat, the effect of climate change like global warming.

11. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS PLAN TO APPROVE A MASSIVE SOLAR FARM

Trump administration officials plan to approve massive solar farms for energy storage. That will provide electricity in the desert area Nevada residents. The cost of the project estimated $1 billion. The plant would generate 690 megawatts of power covering across 7,100 acres area. The United States President Trump has rejected this renewable energy and criticized it as very much expensive. The so-called Gemini project got approval from federal officials. This project would increase the capacity of renewable energy capacity. The demand for renewable energy continued due to the falling of prices and supportive state policy. The policy has been approved for promoting climate-friendly energy.

12. GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE WINNER LAUNCHED ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM FOUNDATION IN COOK ISLANDS

Jacqueline Evans won Goldman Environmental Prize winner (2019), who was burst for speaking against mining the floor of the Pacific Ocean. She has launched a new foundation to support environmental and social issues named as Moana Foundation in her home country of Cook Islands. Jacqueline Evans thinks that this fund will make enable to focus on local priorities. The organization will give more independence to local organizations to speak openly as per they think against injustice. Evens is utilizing the fund of $66,000 that is received from Goldman prize to establishing the foundation.

13. MAJOR FOOD COMPANIES FAIL TO ACHIEVE GOAL BANISH PALM OIL DEFORESTATION BY 2020

World popular brands are failed to banish deforestation.  Through the use of palm oil, the biggest brands agreed to phase out deforestation. But the goal is far away. Many companies associated with food products performing poorly in reducing deforestation of the palm oil trees. It is reported that out of 173 major companies 15 companies were performed well. Palm oil is used in different kinds of food range, cosmetics, and household goods. The companies which were running under pressure began to improve their performance with commitment in 2010. It included reducing deforestation to zero. So to create a market for palm oil products, the broader initiative is needed.

14. MOPA GETS ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE FROM SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court cleared for construction of Goa’s second upcoming International airport at Mopa. The suspension has been lifted and the environmental clearance (EC) granted for the project. Last year, the top court had suspended the grant of EC due to the impact on ecology. The passenger traffic at Goa is expected the rise of the need for a new airport.  Goa is the foremost International tourist destination in India. Due to capacity constraints, international flights are not granted parking at night. It is noted the assurance that the new airport would adopt a zero carbon program. The court- appointed NEERI to oversee the project with relation to environmental protection.

15. MILLIONS OF SEA BIRDS KILLED IN PACIFIC OCEAN

Within a year, a million of seabirds died near the coastal area of the Pacific Ocean. Generally, birds die in starvation during summer. A huge number of dying murres were found along the coastal area of Alaska, Washington, and California. The most birds of 4,500 were found every kilometer. The blob stems arise due to severe heat wave along the sea surface. Due to the effect of El Nino, the rise of temperature resulted in an increase in water temperature above the average. Global warming is the main cause of frequent heat waves.  A huge heat blob has been formed and is growing. The researcher cannot predict the time taken for the population to rebound.

16. MORE THAN 1,60,000 PEOPLE COULD DIE IN NEXT DECADE BY AIR POLLUTION

A Charity has warned that Due to air pollution, more than 1,60,000 people could die from strokes and heart attacks within the next decade by air pollution. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said that serious detrimental effects upon the heart will increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Currently, the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is 25 micrograms as an annual average. Still, the WHO limits the annual average of 10 micrograms. Millions of toxic particles enter into the bloodstream through inhaling. Health- based quality guidelines should be adopted. The government recently banned smoking in public places. It shows government action can improve to protect the health of the nation.

17. BRITAIN’S GREEN ECONOMY HAS SHRUNK SINCE 2014

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of people involved in the “low carbon and renewable energy economy” has been declined by more than 235,900 between 5 years from 2014. The critic record support for the low carbon and renewable sector blamed.  The subsidy to the solar power industry is the cause of the sudden loss of employment. It has been recorded that the biggest fall in the number of green jobs has occurred in England. Due to acquisitions in the renewable sector, the activity has been increased rather than a rise in investment. It is found that UK emissions met the government’s target in 2018.

18. OCEAN TEMPERATURE IS A MEASURE OF CLIMATIC CRISIS

Now, the temperature of the ocean has reached a new record in 2019. It is the cause of heating the planet. Ocean surface absorbs the maximum amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases. It is because of the emission of burning from fossil fuels. The amount of heat being added to the oceans is turning the planet into a microwave oven. It leads to more severe storms and disrupts the water cycle, high floods, droughts, imbalance in ecology and a rise in sea level. The rise of temperature harms life in the seas, with the number of marine heat waves increase. Al these are created by human activity.

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