Climate Action and Sustainable Innovations

Author

TheGreenBillioness
January 30, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning. In this issue, Climate Action and Sustainable Innovations Dominate Headlines: Activists target the Mona Lisa to protest, while PACE satellite investigates climate mysteries. Scientists alert on climate-triggered unrest, EU plans massive climate investments, and U.S. funds industrial decarbonization. Bill Gates discusses post-COP28 solutions, and companies like Deloitte and McDonald's embrace sustainability. New York introduces a sustainable delivery department, marking 2024 as a key year for eco-friendly technology. Make sure to check out this issue!

TheGreenBillioness Team

"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home."

Gary Snyder

Market - MTD

Stock-MTD data as of market close (30 Jan 2024) - Source: Yahoo Finance

Global warming dangerously close to Paris Agreement limit

The E.U.’s Copernicus Climate Change Service says global warming in 2023 hit 1.48 degrees Celsius, which is dangerously close to the limit set by the Paris Agreement.

News Spotlight

  • 2 climate activists arrested after throwing soup at "Mona Lisa" in Paris. Two climate activists hurled soup Sunday at the glass protecting the "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre Museum in Paris and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system. Full Story

  • NASA hopes PACE satellite will help unravel climate change mysteries. Full Story

  • Scientists Warn Climate Shocks Could Trigger Unrest and Authoritarian Backlash. Most of the public seems unaware that global temperatures will soon push past the target to which the U.N. hoped to limit warming, but researchers see social and psychological crises brewing. Full Story

  • Ancient ‘zombie’ viruses may threaten humans due to global warming. Ancient amoeba viruses are already being released each summer as permafrost thaws. Full Story

  • micromobility is a better option than overpriced transit projects. Full Story

Sustainable Finance

  • EU needs trillions of investment for 2050 climate target. The European Union will need 1.5 trillion euros ($1.6 trillion)per year of investments to meet its 2050 net zero emissions target. Full Story

  • Investors Pull Money From ESG Funds. Investors pulled $5 billion from U.S. sustainable funds in the fourth quarter [of 2023] for a total of $13 billion last year. Full Story

  • Berkeley Haas Sustainable Business Research Prize Awarded to Paper on Biodiversity Risk. A team of researchers who developed tools for investors, academics, and businesses to measure economic risks from the loss of the planet’s biodiversity has won the inaugural Berkeley Haas Sustainable Business Research Prize. Full Story

  • U.S. Invests $254 Million in Industrial Decarbonization Projects, Technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy announced investments of over $250 million aimed at advancing projects and technologies to decarbonize the industrial sector, including $171 million for 49 selected projects to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, and the opening of applications for $83 million of funding targeting hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as chemicals, steel, food, and buildings. Full Story

  • Sustainable Finance highlights from the 2024 Davos summit. Full Story

Bill Gates on investing in our planet's future

At last year’s COP28, Bill Gates discussed the critical issues presented at the climate summit and why he’s optimistic about the solutions on the horizon. Joining CNN’s Becky Anderson, he set out what needs to be achieved post-COP28 in the areas of technology, agriculture and health.

Technology & Solutions

  • Deloitte Doubles Down on Sustainable Solutions with Gen AI. Deloitte Launches New Geospatial and AI Platform Powered by Google Earth and GenAI. Full Story

  • McDonald’s invests in sustainable team uniforms. The new McDonald’s crew uniforms are made with CiClo technology, which allows polyester to biodegrade at similar rates to natural materials. Full Story

  • New York announces USA’s first sustainable delivery department. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has outlined a future-focused vision for the city, including the development of the USA’s first Department of Sustainable Delivery. Full Story

  • Scientists Advance Affordable, Sustainable Solution for Flat-Panel Displays and Wearable Tech. Supramolecular ink could enable more affordable and environmentally sustainable flat-panel screens and electronic devices. Full Story

  • Why 2024 Will Be the Year of Sustainable IT? Companies’ interest in sustainable IT will increase as they look for ways to comply with regulations, cut costs, and help protect the environment. Full Story

Singapore launches green computing initiatives to promote sustainability in the tech sector

The initiatives aim to reduce carbon emissions by focusing on energy-efficient software design and function and industry partnerships for green software trials.

Q&A

  • Q1: What percentage of the world’s carbon emissions are generated by cities?

  • Q2: What impact could the circular economy approach have on greenhouse gas emissions?

    Kindly peruse the content below to access the answers.*

RECs

  • Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when not in use.

  • Support local farmers and artisans by shopping at a farmers' market or locally owned stores.

  • Reduce your paper usage by switching to digital documents and opting for e-bills and statements.

  • Conduct a home energy audit to identify areas where you can improve energy efficiency.

  • Volunteer for a local environmental organization or participate in a community clean-up event.

The Q&A Answers are:

  • A1: Cities generate 70% of the world’s carbon emissions.

  • A2: It could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% in sectors like food, mobility, and the built environment.

Did you Know?
Did you know The 2021 Global Forest Resources Assessment by the FAO reported that the world loses 10 million hectares of forest each year, equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute?!

With Inspiring Climate Activists

Rachel Carson was an influential American marine biologist, environmentalist, and writer who is widely credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Born in 1907, and passing away in 1964, Carson's legacy is particularly tied to her groundbreaking work in raising public awareness about the dangers of synthetic pesticides. Carson's most famous book, "Silent Spring," published in 1962, is often considered a pivotal moment in environmental history. watch Rachel Carson Documentary here.

Pesticide Early Warnings | Rachel Carson | PBS LearningMedia

Learn how Rachel Carson, naturalist and author of the landmark book Silent Spring (1964), began to suspect that the use of synthetic pesticides to eradicate insect pests had unhealthy consequences.

Main Events in 2024
Here are some of the major sustainability and climate change events scheduled for 2024:

  1. Innovation Zero (April 30 to May 01, 2024): An event showcasing the latest in climate technology and convening entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to push forward net-zero emissions solutions.

  2. World ESG and Climate Summit (June 18-19, 2024): This summit brings together global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities related to sustainability and ESG practices.

  3. Climate Week NYC – We Can (October 23-31, 2024): An annual event that showcases climate action and accelerates the transition to a net-zero future with world leaders, policymakers, businesses, and citizens.

  4. COP29 (November 6-18, 2024): The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

     

     *also read Top 10 must-attend sustainability events in 2024.

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