Alarm bells on keeping 1.5C 'alive'

The Independent Climate Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE May 19, 2023 View in browser Welcome to The Independent's climate newsletter, a weekly digest of climate change impacts around the world and the progress being made in tackling the crisis. Thanks for reading - LB Top, clockwise: A child amid the wreckage of her home damaged by Cyclone Mocha in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on Monday; a schoolgirl cools herself with a portable fan in Banda Aceh, Indonesia ; women rest under trees day near India Gate, Delhi as temperatures soar this week (AP Photo/Reuters/AFP/EPA) Climate crisis Despite urgent calls at recent climate summits to "keep 1.5C alive", there's now a 66 per cent chance that the world will - temporarily - hit the Paris Agreement warming limit for at least one year between 2023 and 2027. The World Meteorological Organisation, the UN's weather agency, also warned this week of a 98 per cent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record due to a potent brew of excessive greenhouse gases and a naturally-occurring El Niño climate pattern.  At least six people have died and over 700 are injured after powerful tropical cyclone Mocha made landfall in Myanmar on Sunday, flooding roads, destroying houses and knocking down communication towers. Mocha, one of the most powerful storms to hit Myanmar in years, had wind speeds of up to 130mph and led to heavy rains in the western parts of one of Asia's least developed countries. Floods killed at least nine people in Italy and have caused billions of euros worth of damage. Rescue crews were still working to reach towns and villages, with many of them cut off from power and cell phone services, in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna. More than half of the world's large lakes and reservoirs have shrunk since the early 1990s including key freshwater sources like the Caspian Sea and Lake Titicaca. Collectively, they have lost water  at a rate of 22 gigatonnes per year in the past 30 years. That's about 17 times the volume of Lake Mead – the US's largest reservoir. Heat warnings have been issued in cities across China as the country gears up for another summer of scorching temperatures. The state-run China Energy News was already warning the public to brace for restrictions to the electricity supply. More than 90,000 private jet flights were made in total in the UK in 2022 - a 75 per cent rise on the year before - and more than in any other European country. Seismic events known as "frost quakes" which struck Finland in 2016 are likely becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis, according to new research.   Climate progress French lawmakers have voted to ban smoking in all forests and woods during the fire season, part of a series of proposed measures to tackle growing destruction and dangers from climate change-related blazes. Britain's National Trust has come up with a plan to grow rainforests of the future in a remote location in Wales. The trees, including rare and endangered species, will be grown using local seeds in a special tree nursery to help them adapt to the changing climate and protect the new "Celtic rainforest". (CBBC) The United States is cracking down on toxic coal ash from landfills in order to prevent heavy metals seeping into groundwater. Michael S. Regan, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the move would protect low-income communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by the pollution. (New York Times) The Biden administration also announced $251 million for carbon capture and storage projects in seven states, aiming to reduce pollution from power plants and other industrial facilities. (AP) Scientists in India have come up with a technology that harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microorganisms to help farmers increase crop yields while reducing their dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. (Better India) European countries are setting new wind and solar power records.   Solar and wind produced more than half of Portugal's electricity for the first time last month, according to clean energy think tank Ember. Spain, Finland and Belgium are also hitting unprecedented levels. (Euronews) Clergy across parts of rural America are training to prevent agriculture workers' suicides. Factors largely outside of farmers' control – from increasingly unpredictable weather to growing costs of everything from fuel to loans – make the threat of losing the beloved family farm a constant worry. QUOTE OF THE WEEK "The G7 is a test for Japanese leadership." Mary Robinson, chair of the advocacy group The Elders. Activists are questioning Japan's 'lack of urgency' on climate action at opening of the G7 summit in Hiroshima CARBON COUNTER 418.87 Parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on May 17, 2023. Scientists say a safe amount is around 300-350ppm (Source: NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory) Green living 'If we don't do it, then everybody's f***ed': Will Gabon become Africa's new ecotourism hotspot? £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW IndyBest/Best Eco Buys 10 best vegan trainers that tread lightly on the planet Shop for trainers made with environmentally friendly materials that don't compromise on style or comfort Shop now Trending: Best vegan cookbooks We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE Changemakers Cartier's use of images of Amazon tribe prompts Indigenous advocates to allege hypocrisy Articles available exclusively to subscribers Editorial: We have just five years to stop the world burning OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Independent Women Every Thursday, 8am (UK time) Written by Maya Oppenheim Join now Simon Calder's Travel Week Twice a week Written by Simon Calder Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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