What Is The Purpose of A Carbon Market?

Global Climate Change (38)

“EC. Climate Change Key Terms. Carbon market = Trading system through which countries may buy or sell units of greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to meet their national limits on emissions, either under the Kyoto protocol or under other agreements.”

Note from author: Is it not interesting how countries may TRADE greenhouse gas emissions? It seems that everything is for sale in this world. Even greenhouse gas emissions. Let us work together for a future where greenhouse gas emissions will not have to be traded.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my newsletter delivered personally to you, do subscribe to Leading With Passion

Cleantech Investments Bring Significant Benefits To Tackle Climate Change

Global Climate Change (37)

“European Commission/EU 2050 Roadmap: Additional investments will bring significant co-benefits through innovation, development of new growth sectors, a reduction of resource consumption, less dependency on energy imports, and health benefits.”

=====================================================================

Note from author: The European Union plays a major role in climate funding, not only in Europe, but around the world, supporting e.g. a number of developing countries financially to build sustainable environments/societies. By 2020, at least 20% of the total EU budget will be spent on climate action. This is a significant percentage of the European Union´s budget. (European Commission 2017).

A few useful links to learn more about the European Union´s efforts to tackle climate change and contribute to a sustainable world:

EC Climate Action – International Climate Finance

EC Climate Action – EU demonstrates commitment to developing countries by stepping up climate finance to €17.6 bln

European Environment Agency – Climate change policies

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my newsletter delivered personally to you, do subscribe to Leading With Passion

The EU Aims To Decarbonise The Power Sector By 2050

Global Climate Change (35).jpg

“European Commission/EU 2050 Roadmap: The decarbonisation of the power sector should be practically complete by 2050.”

====================================================================

Note from author: In the European Union, we have very ambitious and clear goals. There are of course variations between different countries, even in Europe. The case is the same all around the world. In the United States for example, the well-known oil state Texas is a forerunner in regard to renewable energy sources, e.g. solar power. California is another state in the U.S.A. that has made a lot of progress in terms of climate action and transforming its economy in a sustainable manner – nevertheless, experts from Silicon Valley have made clear that they are far behind e.g. in comparison to climate actions and sustainable development in Sweden, a leading country in terms of climate issues. Furthermore, there are huge variations between countries in Asia too. In Russia, recycling and environmental issues are at a very poor level, as in so many other countries in Asia. Bhutan has become the world´s first organic nation by taking massive measures to protect the country´s environment, including all that lives, flora and fauna.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my newsletter delivered personally to you, subscribe to Leading With Passion

All Sectors Must Contribute To Stop Climate Change

Global Climate Change (34).jpg

“European Commission/EU 2050 Roadmap: All sectors of the economy will be required to contribute to the low-carbon transition according to their technological and economic potential.”

=====================================================================

Note from author: The sectors emitting most greenhouse gases and thus polluting our common environment are the energy sector, including transportation, industrial processes and product use; agriculture, land use and forestry, waste management. (eurostat. Greenhouse gas emission statistics). Therefore, a transformation towards renewable energy sources and sustainable agriculture will have major impacts upon the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. The smarter we plan our consumption, including the packaging of products, and learn how to manage (i.e. recycle) our waste, the better will we protect our environment. The goal is to recycle 100% of ALL waste. In Sweden, this is already almost a reality. Sweden is even IMPORTING waste from around the world and using this waste as fuel for energy production. Many countries could learn a lot from Sweden in terms of waste management.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my newsletter delivered personally to you, do subscribe to Leading With Passion

Clean Technologies At The Core of Tackling Climate Change

Global Climate Change (33).jpg

“European Commission/EU 2050 Roadmap: Clean technologies play an important role. Early actions will save costs later.”

============================================================

Note from author: Taking urgent action across societies, by individuals, corporations and every citizen around the world is essential to combat human-caused climate change. It is a fact that changing our consumption habits, including the transformation from environmentally harming technologies to more eco-friendly solutions will save us all from many extra costs now, and in the future. Furthermore, there is no price tag on our environment – if we continue destroying the planet we all live on, without an effort to improve how we consume and live, it will cost us our home planet and affect each and every member of planet Earth.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank, and to receive my newsletter delivered personally to you, do subscribe to Leading With Passion.

EU To Cut Greenhouse Gases Radically By 2050

Global Climate Change (32).jpg

“European Commission/EU 2050 Roadmap: To cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990.”

=================================================================

Note from author: Read the whole European Commission 2050 Roadmap here (Energy Roadmap 2050) in the European Union.

As mentioned in one of my earlier articles upon climate leadership and climate action, greenhouse gases are gases in Earth´s atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation, causing an “artificial” greenhouse effect that warms our planet. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth´s atmosphere include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. To understand the greenhouse better, do watch this video published by NASA Earth Observatory:

The Greenhouse Effect

 

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my posts delivered personally to you, do subscribe to my newsletter at Leading With Passion

 

Countries Must Take Individual Climate Action in Addition To Universal Agreements

Global Climate Change (31).jpg

“European Commission: In the EU, each of the EU member states has also put in place its own domestic actions that build on the ECCP measures or complement them.”

====================================================================

Note from author: What is your country doing to combat human-caused climate change? And you personally, what are your contributions to more ethical and ecological choices in your life, overall? If you are unsure, you can start by calculating your personal carbon footprint: WWF: How Big Is Your Environmental Footprint?

We can all do something, and a large number of small contributions will make a big difference. In my personal life, I do currently commute mainly by either walking, cycling, or, by using public transport. I recycle everything possible: biological waste, paper, metal, glass, plastic (yes, we finally have plastics recycling in Finland!), and textiles. I also try to make smarter choices in general regarding personal consumption, starting from electricity to how I use fresh water (at home). Although Finland is one of the leading countries in the world regarding environmental issues/protection, we still have a lot of work ahead of us in order to improve things.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my articles/posts delivered personally to you, click the subscribe-button at Leading With Passion

 

Forests Are Our Planets Lungs

Global Climate Change (29).jpg

“WWF: Forests are home to many of the world´s most endangered wildlife. They also protect the Planet by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), a major source of pollution that causes climate change.”

================================================================

Note from author: Forests are crucial to our planet, not only are they home to thousands of species, but do also act as the “lungs” of Earth by absorbing environmentally damaging gases and pollution. Forests cover 31 % (4 billion ha) of our world´s land surface, down from 5.9 billion hectares pre-industrially. (Earth Policy Institute. 2012). Sustainably managed forests provide essential goods and services and play an important role in sustainable development. (FAO. 2015).

Deforestation is a serious problem. If necessary measures are not taken, there is a risk of our rain forests vanishing within a century. (The Guardian. January 23rd 2017. We are destroying rain forests so quickly they may be gone in 100 years). Despite of these shattering facts, there can be light at the end of the tunnel if and when we take measures to change the course of this trend. Some countries have realized the importance of forests and trees for the well-being of our environment, including fauna, flora and ourselves as a human race. In Pakistan, over one billion trees have been planted within two years as a national project to restore lost forests. (World Atlas. August 14th 2017. In Only Two Years, Pakistan Has Planted One Billion Trees). In addition, Norway has become the first country in the world to ban deforestation. (EcoWatch. June 8th 2016).

To gain a deeper insight into forestry and deforestation worldwide, study this report published by FAO in 2015: Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015.

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank – to receive my articles/posts delivered personally to you, do subscribe to my newsletter at Leading With Passion

Climate Change Threatens All Life On Earth

Global Climate Change (28).jpg

“WWF: Humans and wild animals now face challenges for survival because of climate change. More frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warming oceans can directly harm animals, and wreak havoc on people´s livelihoods and communities.”

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank & to receive my articles/posts delivered personally to you, do subscribe to my newsletter at Leading With Passion

Climate Change Fundamental Threat To All Species

Global Climate Change (27).jpg

“WWF: Climate change poses a fundamental threat to the places, species and people´s livelihoods WWF works to protect. To adequately address this crisis we must urgently reduce carbon pollution and prepare for the consequences of global warming, which we are already experiencing.”

======================================================================

Note from author: As reported by environment correspondent Ian Johnston in Independent on February 14th 2017, at least 700 species that are facing extinction are hit by climate change. A study by Frontiers in Marine Science reveals that many fish species have altered their areas or increased their depth ranges along with environmental changes, i.e. rising sea temperatures. In Finland, the endangered Saimaa ringed seal (there are only 360 left), suffers not only from fishing nets, but also from vanishing icecaps. (Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitto 2017).

Connect with me on Twitter @annemariayritys – for climate-related posts only @GCCThinkActTank – to receive my articles/posts delivered personally to you, do subscribe to my newsletter at Leading With Passion