The Australian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tanya Plibersek, has approved a new coalmine development, marking the first such approval since coming to power. The Isaac River coalmine, situated in Queensland's Bowen basin, has been granted the green light. The mine, to be operated by Bowen Coking Coal, is planned to produce approximately 500,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal annually for a five-year period. Metallurgical coal, also known as coking coal, is utilized in the steelmaking industry.
Barcelona, renowned for its vibrant beachfront, may soon face the loss of its iconic beaches due to rising sea levels and erosion. The city's coastline was extensively bolstered with thousands of tons of sand for the 1992 Olympic Games, transforming it into a popular tourist destination lined with beach bars. However, the current situation indicates a bleak future for these beaches
The 'Meri LiFE' app was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on May 15, 2023. It is inspired by the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE), which emphasizes mindful utilization instead of mindless and wasteful consumption.
In recent news, the devastating Cyclone Mocha wreaked havoc in Bangladesh and Myanmar, resulting in the loss of lives, numerous injuries, and widespread destruction. The storm made landfall in Myanmar's Rakhine state near Sittwe township, with ferocious wind speeds of up to 130 mph (210 kph). Tens of thousands of people along the coast were forced to seek shelter, while hundreds found themselves trapped by seawater and had to be evacuated.
In a new study published in the journal Nature, NASA scientists have found that Greenland's ice sheet is melting from below. The study, which was led by Michael Bevis, a professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, found that warm water from the Atlantic Ocean is seeping into the ice sheet through cracks and fissures, melting it from the inside out.
According to recent BBC research, the United Kingdom is experiencing significant delays in connecting green energy projects to its electricity system, jeopardizing the nation's climate targets. These delays are primarily caused by a lack of capacity in the grid, preventing the integration of new solar and wind sites. Some renewable energy companies are concerned that these delays will impede the country's progress in achieving its goal of producing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
Wind energy has surpassed gas as the primary electricity source in the UK, according to a report by Imperial College London. During the first quarter of this year, wind farms accounted for one-third of the country's electricity generation, marking a significant milestone.
The Indian government is planning to establish the Indian Carbon Market (ICM), a national framework to decarbonize the Indian economy by pricing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through trading of carbon credit certificates. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, along with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, is developing a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for this purpose.
Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd (TPSSL) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tata Power Trading Company Limited (TPTCL) to develop a 200 MW solar project in Rajasthan, India. The project is expected to be commissioned by March 2024.
The report revealed that only 12 per cent of the 169 SDG targets are on track, while progress on 50 per cent is insufficient and weak. Alarmingly, progress has either stalled or regressed on more than 30 per cent of the goals. The COVID-19 pandemic and the "triple crisis" of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution have exacerbated the situation. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has also contributed to the challenges. The impact of these crises has resulted in an increase in global poverty and hunger, with hunger levels returning to those seen in 2005. Gender equality is projected to be achieved only in approximately 300 years. Furthermore, record-high inequality and rising greenhouse gas emissions have been observed. Guterres emphasized that many developing countries face challenges in investing in the SDGs due to burdensome debt, and climate finance falls far short of commitments. Wealthier nations have yet to fulfil their promise of providing $100 billion annually in support. He stressed that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires fundamental changes in the global economic order, calling it an agenda of justice, equality, sustainable development, and human rights for all. To address the situation, Guterres called for an SDG Stimulus plan of at least $500 billion per year, as well as deep reforms to the international financial architecture. These recommendations were key points in the progress report. The SDG Stimulus aims to scale up affordable long-term financing, address debt issues, and expand contingency financing. However, Guterres noted that these measures alone will not resolve the fundamental issues of the current unjust and dysfunctional global financial system, which requires comprehensive reforms. Guterres also called for a "new Bretton Woods moment" to ensure greater representation of developing countries in global financial institutions, advocating for a financial system that benefits all by prioritizing the needs of developing countries. The progress report provided additional recommendations, including the call for all UN Member States to reaffirm their commitment to achieving the goals by strengthening the social contract and transitioning to green economies. Governments were urged to set and deliver on national benchmarks for reducing poverty and inequality by 2027 and 2030, focusing on areas such as social protection, employment, education, gender equality, and digital inclusion. The report emphasized the need to end the war on nature and support climate action and biodiversity conservation through the Acceleration Agenda and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Additionally, governments were encouraged to strengthen national institutions, regulatory frameworks, and public digital infrastructure to ensure accountability. Multilateral support for the UN development system and decisive action at the Future Summit, scheduled for next year, was also highlighted. The article concluded by mentioning that world leaders will gather at the UN in September for the SDG Summit. It emphasised the importance of this event as a moment of truth and reckoning, calling for renewed hope and determination to kickstart a new drive towards achieving the SDGs. Guterres emphasized that SDG progress is not just about statistical measurements but tangible improvements in people's lives, such as maternal and child health, quality education, renewable energy, and clean air. He urged collective efforts to embark on the challenging yet necessary journey towards the SDGs for the betterment of all people.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.