Flights are huge sources of emissions. A single long-haul flight can create more carbon emissions in a few hours than the average person in 56 different countries will generate in an entire year. How can airlines cut their carbon dioxide emissions? One answer is transitioning from petroleum-based fuels to using a low-carbon alternative known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

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Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks, is currently employed in commercial aviation to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. SAF can be blended at varying levels, typically ranging from 10% to 50%, contingent upon the feedstock type and production method. SAF can effectively reduce emissions because it is a renewable fuel, meaning that it is made from renewable resources or materials, rather than fossil fuels, including cooking oil, animal waste fat, agricultural and forestry waste, and municipal waste. What’s more, SAF can also be produced synthetically through a process that directly captures carbon from the atmosphere. 

Since SAFs are derived from biomass, organic waste, and direct carbon dioxide (CO2) capture from air, they are able to utilise existing carbon from current resources. This characteristic offers a notable benefit, leading to a proportional reduction in net CO2 emissions based on the sustainable carbon content. The utilisation of current carbon can be achieved through various approaches. Alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) is one of them. 

ATJ involves the conversion of biomass-derived alcohols into an SAF that matches industry standards. In the process, ATJ technologies separate polymer sugars from a biomass source using mechanical, chemical, or biological methods. These sugars are then broken down into simpler forms and transformed by specially engineered microorganisms into alcohol-based molecules like ethanol or isobutanol. Subsequently, the alcohol undergoes dehydration, oligomerization, and hydrogenation to produce a range of final fuel products, including a portion of jet fuel or blendstock. 

SAF’s physical and chemical properties closely resemble those of traditional aviation fuel, enabling them to be directly blended and used interchangeably with traditional fuels without the need for modifications to aircraft engines or associated equipment. At present, SAF can be blended with traditional fuels at a different level ranging from 10% to 50%, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced. There are hopes that airlines will be able to use 100% SAF by 2030.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF could contribute around 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. IATA says this would require massive upscale of the technology, something that could happen as soon as next decade “as policy support becomes global.”

Read more on the topic: All You Need to Know About Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Growing Market

Since the first test flight using SAF as fuel in 2008, SAF applications have seen numerous milestone developments, leading to a flourishing market. In March 2016, United made history as the first airline to incorporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into its regular operations, initiating daily flights from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) fueled by AltAir. On November 28, 2023, Virgin Atlantic’s VS100 flight completed the world’s first transatlantic flight using 100% SAF. This Boeing 787 aircraft flew for 7 hours and 16 minutes from London Heathrow Airport to New York’s JFK International Airport. The SAF blend used consisted of 88% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) provided by Air BP and 12% Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) from Virent, a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation. 

These instances showcase the importance of SAF in addressing footprints in the aviation industry. Presently, over 450,000 flights have taken off using blended SAF and traditional fuels, with over 50 airlines worldwide having experience in SAF utilisation.

The increasing use of SAF also signifies the expansion of market size and the enhancement of market value.

According to a 2023 report by Precedence Research, the global sustainable aviation fuel market reached a value of US$616.91 million in 2023 and is forecasted to reach around US$14,842.13 million by 2032. 

The Other Side of SAF

While SAF can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional fuels, it has not been put into commercial use widely, and as of 2020, it accounted for just 0.1% of total aviation fuel consumption. 

IATA predicted that SAF production would triple in 2024 to 1.9 billion liters, though that would still only cover 0.53% of fuel demand for the year.

The high costs associated with new technologies and production methods is one of the main obstacles this technology faces. The cost of refining fuel from waste oil is typically 50% higher than traditional jet fuel, while the cost of power-to-liquid fuel could be up to 200% higher. The substantial costs for SAF’s large-scale use pose significant challenges for countries that are recovering their economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, European aviation faces a bill of more than €‎440 billion ($485 billion) to transition to using clean fuels, according to industry estimates.

An additional challenge associated with SAF is its lower energy density compared to traditional jet fuel, with the latter allowing aircrafts to travel farther on the same volume of jet fuel than SAF. Consequently, aeroplanes would have to transport large quantities of SAF for extended flights, potentially reaching levels where practicality becomes a concern. 

Despite the numerous challenges in promoting SAF, governments have introduced relevant policies to drive the development and utilisation of SAF, aiming to reduce greenhouse emissions and achieve the goal of net zero by 2050. In the US, the Biden administration has set a goal of producing 3 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, which is expected to reduce aviation-related emissions by 20%. The UK government has also expressed its intent to increase the production and adoption of SAF by implementing a regulation requiring that a minimum of 10% of aircraft fuel is sourced from sustainable materials by 2030. 

The UK government has declared its commitment to boosting the production and utilisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through a mandate that mandates a minimum of 10% of aircraft fuel be derived from sustainable sources by 2030. In line with this, Singapore will mandate that all outgoing flights incorporate 1% sustainable fuel starting in 2026, with projections indicating an increase to 3-5% by 2030.

Alternatives

SAF is not the only solution to traditional fuels. In 2022, Rolls-Royce, a British manufacturer, announced the successful completion of a trial involving a hydrogen-powered aircraft engine, marking a significant advancement in green fuel technology and a pivotal move towards reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector. 

Outlook

In 2022, aviation was responsible for 2% of the global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, experiencing a faster growth rate in recent decades compared to rail, road, or shipping. 

2023 marked the hottest on record, and 2024 is now on track to be even hotter. This has prompted researchers to caution that limiting global warming below 1.6C represents the best-case scenario. 

Given the current environmental challenges and the urgency to mitigate carbon emissions, the shift from conventional aviation fuel to sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives has emerged as a critical and immediate necessity in the aviation industry. Science, through innovative research and technological advancements, will play a pivotal role in driving the development and implementation of these sustainable solutions, ensuring a greener future for aviation.

The post Sustainable Aviation Fuel: State of the Industry and Challenges in 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

Climate change and global warming are leading to glaciers melting, rising sea levels worldwide and posing threats to people around the globe, especially populations residing in coastal areas. In the face of rising sea levels, what measures should be taken to address this challenge effectively?

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Sea level rise, as its name suggests, refers to an increase in the total volume of ocean water. This phenomenon occurs due to the melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets as well as the natural expansion of water as it warms – both  outcome of climate change, which is primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. 

According to a 2018 report published by the WCRP Global Sea Level Budget Group, 42% of sea level rise stems from the expansion of warming ocean water with rising temperatures driven and 21% from the melting glaciers worldwide, while 23% is attributed to the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

Over the past 20 years, the increase in sea levels has exacerbated coastal flooding, resulting in 14 million more individuals worldwide residing in coastal communities facing a 1-in-20 annual flood risk, 2023 data shows. If global greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current pace, it is estimated that by the end of the century, the number of people affected by coastal flooding will rise to 73 million. 

A striking example of this is Panama. A recent study conducted by the Climate Change directorate of Panama’s Environmental Ministry, in collaboration with universities in Panama and Spain, projects that by 2050, Panama is expected to lose approximately 2.01% of its coastal territory due to rising sea levels. Some of its islands are already disappearing.

In the tiny island of Gardi Sugdub, one of around 50 populated islands in the archipelago of the Guna Yala territory, some 300 families are preparing to leave.

“We’re a little sad, because we’re going to leave behind the homes we’ve known all our lives, the relationship with the sea, where we fish, where we bathe and where the tourists come, but the sea is sinking the island little by little,” Nadín Morales, 24, who prepared to move with her mother, uncle and boyfriend, told AP in June.

So, How Do We Stop Sea Level Rise?

Responses to climate change are generally categorised into two main approaches: mitigation and adaptation. 

Climate mitigation aims to stabilise the climate system by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing emissions sequestration through methods like forest conservation or carbon capture technologies. On the other hand, adaptation seeks to minimise the negative effects of climate change by implementing strategies including disaster risk reduction and enhancing the resilience of food production and freshwater resources.

One of the primary causes of sea level rise is thermal expansion promoted by higher ocean temperature. The Earth is warming predominantly because of the accumulation of heat-trapping greenhouse gases emitted from burning fossil fuels, with 90% of them being absorbed by the oceans. This absorption leads to an increase in ocean temperatures and subsequent expansion in volume. Therefore, mitigation measures that aim at reducing emissions, including policies concerning the development of clean energy, green transportation as well as sustainable food, agriculture, and land use, are all vital for tackling sea level rise.

For example, policies advocating fuel efficiency and sustainable modes of transport like walking and cycling hold significant importance in reducing emissions. In addition, land-use policies that focus on conserving existing forests, one of the world’s biggest carbon sinks, and fostering the growth of new ones are also important for decreasing greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Forests absorb nearly 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year globally and currently hold 861 gigatonnes of carbon in their branches, leaves, roots, and soils, This carbon storage helps reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the acceleration of ocean temperature increase, glacier melting, and thus resultant sea level rise. 

Adaptation measures such as building infrastructure to protect communities at risk and planting mangroves or other vegetation to absorb water are effective measures to enhance resilience to water-related challenges. Some concrete examples include:

Coastal infrastructure construction 

Sea walls can be constructed in a parallel alignment to coastlines to reduce flooding, prevent erosion, and shield against storm surges. However, the construction of such barriers is a complex endeavour that requires perpetual maintenance. Another shortcoming is that the force of water against a new wall can intensify flooding in areas beyond the wall’s protection. 

Venice, one of the cities most at threat from rising sea levels in the world, constructed 78 gates in the sea to block the tide when needed and minimise risk of flooding. The MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) project is a complex system of movable barriers that can be raised during exceptional tide events to prevent flooding in the Venetian Lagoon. Aside from numerous challenges, including delays, corruption scandals, and cost overruns, the project faced scrutiny over the impact it could have on the lagoon’s delicate ecosystem. Questions about the long-term effectiveness of the barriers also persist. 

One significant issue is the uncertainty surrounding how well the barriers will adapt to future sea level rise projections. As climate change accelerates, the anticipated sea level increases may outpace the design capacity of the barriers, potentially rendering them inadequate in the long term. Additionally, there are fears about the structural integrity of the barriers over time, considering the harsh marine environment in which they operate. Corrosion, sedimentation, and mechanical wear are among the factors that could impact the functionality of the barriers, raising doubts about their ability to withstand the test of time. 

The evolving nature of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events introduce complexities in predicting the effectiveness of the MOSE system in the face of unprecedented challenges, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring, adaptation, and innovation to ensure the long-term resilience of Venice against rising sea levels. This, of course, applies to similar adaptation projects elsewhere and are some of the most pressing challenges the world faces today in terms of adaptation.

Coastal wetlands protection

Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing and temporarily storing floodwaters. Having the capacity to impede and regulate the flow of floodwaters into rivers and streams, wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating the intensity of downstream flooding and erosion. By effectively lowering flood levels, wetlands provide a vital shield, safeguarding individuals, assets, infrastructure, and agricultural lands from the destructive impacts of flooding. This protective function not only ensures the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities but also yields substantial economic benefits, amounting to an estimated $23 billion in annual savings.

Communities relocation

When facing the threat of sea level rise, relocating from hazardous zones is a viable response strategy. For example, Fiji’s government plans to relocate entire villages due to the threat of rising sea levels. 

In 2014, around 140 Fijian residents from Vunidogoloa, a village on the island of Vanua Levu, the country’s second-biggest island, took the challenging step of leaving their homes, marking the beginning of a larger scale inland relocation process. Currently, the government has identified more than 40 villages earmarked for relocation over the next five to ten years. 

Relocation is often an option of last resort for communities due to its expensive financial, psychological, and social costs. According to a 2024 research paper published in Nature, relocation can lead to economic strains such as increased debt and limited job prospects and can have social impacts like weakened community connections and a loss of cultural identity. It also reveals that communities exposed to sea level rise, relocation, and government-led adaptation programs might experience lower levels of health and well-being compared to those unaffected by such interventions.

Final Thoughts

As global temperatures continue to increase, additional sea level rise is inevitable. How much and by when depends mostly on the future rate of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, global average sea level set a new record high: 101.4 mm above 1993 levels. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report published in 2023, if the world transitions towards a sustainable path, adheres to development objectives, and achieves the Paris climate target of limiting global warming to 1.5C by 2050, the projected global mean sea level rise in the short term, over the next century, is estimated to be between 0.28-0.55 metres. 

In order to avoid climate catastrophe and prepare for the effects we are already starting to experience, it is crucial for significant polluting countries and corporations to fulfil their climate pledges. This involves decreasing deforestation and fossil fuel emissions, promoting climate-friendly solutions like clean energy, and fortifying resources such as green banks. Additionally, implementing adaptation measures, such as constructing coastal infrastructure and assisting vulnerable populations in relocating to higher ground, is key to manage the challenges posed by sea level rise.

The post How Do We Stop Sea Level Rise? appeared first on Earth.Org.

In the course of pursuing societal development, human activities including deforestation, overfishing, massive greenhouse gas emission, water pollution and plastic contamination have led to an excessive depletion of the Earth’s resources, causing the disruption of ecological balance and biodiversity loss.

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Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. Encompassing three key aspects known as genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity, the definition of biodiversity has expanded to include the variety of all living organisms within ecosystems. It spans multiple levels, from genes and individuals to populations, habitats, ecosystems, ecological processes, and the interconnections between these forms of diversity. Without biodiversity, the intricate web that sustains all forms of life would not be able to exist. 

What Is Biodiversity Loss?

In recent years, the world has witnessed large-scale biodiversity loss caused, among other factors, by human-induced climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, overhunting, and overfishing. As the name implies, biodiversity loss refers to the decline or disappearance of biological diversity. This phenomenon encompasses the diminishing variety of living organisms, from genes to species to ecosystems, across the planet. 

In 2019, the United Nations, in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), released a report on biodiversity warning that out of the estimated eight million species on Earth, approximately one million are now threatened with extinction, with many at risk of disappearing within decades, marking a higher number than ever recorded in human history.

This is not the only study that reveals the stark reality of biodiversity we are currently confronted with. In 2022, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London used the Living Planet Index (LPI) to measure the average decline in monitored wildlife populations. They found that between 1970 and 2018, on average, there was a 69% decline in population size across the 31,821 species studied. Additionally, the report found that 75% of the land surface is significantly altered, 66% of the ocean area is experiencing increasing cumulative impacts, and over 85% of wetlands has been lost.

You might also like: The Remarkable Benefits of Biodiversity

Consequences of Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss has far-reaching and long-lasting destructive consequences.

• Loss of Ecosystem Stability and Resilience

Just as every piece is vital in a detailed jigsaw puzzle, each element within an ecosystem contributes to its balance and functionality. Biodiversity is key to sustaining the strength and adaptability of ecosystems, enhancing their stability and resilience to challenges like climate change, disease outbreaks, and invasive species. Consequently, a decrease in biodiversity can diminish an ecosystem’s ability and resilience to recover from such disruptions, heightening the risk of ecosystem collapse. This can lead to increased soil erosion, which not only affects agricultural productivity but also impairs the ecosystem’s ability to support plant and animal life.

• Decline in Ecosystem Services

Biodiversity offers essential goods and services crucial for life on Earth. These ecosystem services, encompassing the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being, are pivotal for our survival and quality of life. They include functions like water and air purification, soil formation, pollination, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation, all of which are provided by biodiversity. The decline of biodiversity can impair these services, leading to a decline in environmental quality. For example,  forests act as carbon sinks, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and returning the oxygen to the atmosphere through a process known as photosynthesis. Deforestation can massively increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap more heat and exacerbate global warming.

• Harm to Human Health

Beyond its effects on ecosystems, the decline in biodiversity also influences human health. We are fundamentally dependent on ecosystems’ goods and services, such as the provision of fresh water, food, and fuel sources, for maintaining our well-being and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.The loss of biodiversity can result in significant direct impacts on human health when ecosystem services no longer adequately meet social needs. For example, in some regions, up to 95% of wetlands have been lost and two-thirds of the world’s largest rivers are now moderately to severely fragmented by dams and reservoirs. These diminishing ecosystems pose a significant threat to those who are directly dependent on wetlands for essential supplies such as freshwater and fish. 

Final Thoughts

Defined by the richness and interconnectedness of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity, biodiversity represents the very essence of our planet’s resilience and vibrancy. Yet, in the face of human-induced climate change, we find ourselves witnessing a precipitous decline in this critical biodiversity, which can lead to severe impacts including a diminished ecosystem stability and resilience, a reduction in ecosystem services, and adverse effects on human health. These consequences exacerbate the current climate crisis and pose a threat to the safety and vitality of our planet. It is crucial to take immediate and collaborative actions to reverse the trajectory of biodiversity loss, preserving the diverse web of life and securing a balanced future for the planet. 

The post What Are The Consequence Of Biodiversity Loss? appeared first on Earth.Org.

Characterized by affordable prices and trendy designs, fast fashion has gained much popularity among consumers. However, behind the popularity hides a huge cost for the environment and our planet. But how exactly does the fast fashion industry contribute to carbon emissions?

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Fast fashion refers to a business model that emphasizes the rapid and large-scale production of clothing to keep pace with constantly evolving trends driven by luxurious looks, designer runways, and influencers. 

Enabling retailers to offer a wide range of products, this model allows consumers to access diverse fashion options at lower prices. For individual consumers, fast fashion is a more convenient and economical choice compared to high-quality, durable clothing. But at what cost for our planet?

How Is Fast Fashion Linked to Emissions?

According to 2023 data by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),

the fashion industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions annually, more than the emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined. If current trends continue, its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are projected to increase by over 50% by 2030.

Although fashion-related carbon emissions cannot be solely linked to fast fashion, the latter remains one of the largest contributors. Indeed, the industry’s need to match trends leads to the continuous production of new garments, significantly increasing its environmental footprint. Consumers frequently purchase and discard perfectly wearable and often still new clothes as new trends emerge. This cycle of buying and discarding clothing greatly increases carbon emission, exacerbating existing environmental concerns.

Let’s look at where these emissions come from:

• Fabric Production 

One of the primary causes of GHG emissions in the fast fashion industry is fabric production. A Changing Markets Foundation 2021 report found that, to keep the cost low, cheap materials like polyester – a synthetic and cheap fiber made from petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel – are widely used in the production of garments. Although polyester can be a better fabric compared to cotton in terms of flexibility and cost, it cannot decompose until approximately 200 years later, resulting in significant environmental impacts including soil damage and groundwater poison. Additionally, it can create carbon emissions three times those generated by the manufacturing of cotton, leading to serious air pollution. It is estimated that a single polyester t-shirt has emissions of 5.5 kg CO2e compared with 2.1 kg CO2e for one made from cotton.

• Manufacturing Countries

In addition to fabric production, another significant factor is the manufacturing processes for fast fashion. More than 60% of textiles are used by the clothing industry, with a substantial portion of production taking place in developing countries such as China, India, and Bangladesh. These regions have for decades relied on coal-powered plants for clothes manufacturing, further amplifying the carbon footprint of each garment.

This production mode has a huge social impact, too. Labour in developing countries is cheap, driving down the price of fast fashion items while also making it difficult for workers to sustain themselves. It is suggested that among 75 million factory employees, only fewer than 2% can earn a sufficient wage to support themselves.

More on the topic: The Danger of Sweatshops

• Transportation

Establishing factories in developing countries not only elevates carbon emissions during the production process but also increases emissions associated with transportation. Companies must transport raw materials to these manufacturing countries, and subsequently distribute the manufactured products globally. Some garments may even travel the globe multiple times during the manufacturing process. A 2024 study found that jeans production and cross-broad transportation contributed 91% of the carbon footprint of fast fashion consumption. 

If nothing changes, research predicts that the fashion industry could account for 26% of global carbon emissions by 2050.

Future Outlook

With projections indicating that the fashion industry’s carbon emissions will rise by 60% by 2030 to reach 2.8 billion tons, roughly equivalent to the emissions produced by over 550 million cars in a year, it is crucial to consider how we can create a more sustainable future. Sustainable, slow fashion is often associated with reuse and recycling, but the current methods for recycling synthetic fabrics – which make up most fast fashion items – are quite limited. Only a few companies offer chemical recycling for these materials, and this technology is expensive and not widely accessible. Therefore, it is essential that future technological advancements and research focus on developing affordable and accessible production and recycling methods.

Consumers also have a significant role to play in reducing the carbon emissions from clothing production. One effective strategy is to carefully consider whether new clothing purchases are truly necessary, especially since in some countries, 40% of purchased clothing is never worn. Additionally, buying second-hand clothing can extend the lifespan of garments and reduce the demand for fast fashion items.

Featured image: Chin Leong Teo.

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Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of social justice. It intersects with pre-existing inequalities based on gender, class, race, and other dimensions, intensifying and exacerbating these discrepancies.

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Climate change poses both physical and mental health risks. However, certain groups, particularly those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, face greater vulnerabilities. These disparities arise from structural factors such as ethnicity, race, and gender, and other socioeconomic factors such as exposure to weather hazards, health conditions, income levels, and limited access to resources. 

Climate Change and Racial Inequality   

A 2019 study by the University of Minnesota found that white individuals were exposed to approximately 17% less pollution than they generated. In contrast, Hispanic individuals experienced 63% more pollution than they produced, 56% for Black individuals. Location plays a significant role in these disparities: Black and Hispanic people are more prone to living in areas where they face a higher risk of exposure to poor air quality and water contamination from polluting industries, as highlighted by the United Nations.

In addition to facing significant impacts from air pollution, minority ethnic groups are also notably affected by extreme temperatures. In 2021, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) examined six impacts of climate change, including considering air quality and health, extreme temperature and health, extreme temperature and labour, coastal flooding and traffic, coastal flooding and property, and inland flooding and property. They found that black and African American individuals are expected to experience the greatest effects of climate change than any other demographic group in the country. For instance, with a 2C (3.6F) increase in global warming, Black and African American individuals are 40% more likely than non-Black and non-African American individuals to reside in regions where the expected rise in premature deaths caused by extreme temperatures is the highest. They are also 34% more likely to live in areas where the projected increase in childhood asthma cases is the most significant. 

The report also concluded that Hispanics and Latinos have high participation in weather-exposed industries, including construction and agriculture, which makes them especially vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures. To be specific, with 2C (3.6F) of global warming, Hispanic and Latino individuals were found to be 43% more likely than non-Hispanic and non-Latino individuals to live in areas with the highest projected labour hour reductions due to extreme temperatures driven by climate change. These findings illustrate a profound interconnection between climate change and racism. 

Extending beyond personal interactions, racism also operates in institutional realms where individuals of color frequently encounter disparities in service and care. Institutional racism that is deeply ingrained in our society places marginalized communities at heightened risk when confronting the impacts of climate change, leaving them disproportionately vulnerable and often ill-equipped with useful resources to address these challenges. This goes to show that climate change can never be solely an environmental issue but always intertwines with systemic racial injustices.

Climate Change and Gender Inequality

Just as climate change affects people on different levels based on race, climate change is never gender-neutral. Under conventional gender forms, women tend to be overly burdened with household work and caring for children, which significantly increases the likelihood that they are confined to their homes. This dynamic was starkly demonstrated during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where 70% of the victims were women. Many women and children were trapped indoors, whereas most men were outside at the time. 

Apart from reduced chances of survival, climate change is also more likely to make it difficult for women to sustain their livelihoods. In Asia and the Pacific, where women widely engage in agriculture and play a central role in rural economies, intensifying climate-related disasters, such as shifting weather patterns, droughts, and floods are increasingly disrupting rural areas, leading to crop failures and, in turn, jeopardizing the livelihoods of people relying on agriculture.     

You might also like: When Disaster Strikes: 4 Ways the Climate Crisis Impacts LGBTQI+ People

Climate Change and Socioeconomic Inequality 

According to Oxfam Hong Kong’s 2021 study entitled “Impacts of extreme weather on subdivided flat residents,” nearly half of the city’s subdivided flats are hotter indoors than on the streets, with temperature differences reaching up to 5.8C (42.4F), and the hottest subdivided flats reaching a temperature of 35.1C (95.2F). In these sweltering conditions, almost 70% of respondents reported feeling physically worse, struggling to focus on tasks or studying, and experiencing increased mental stress. Additionally, due to limited space, residents living in subdivided flats find it challenging to install air conditioning units, leading to many impoverished Hong Kong residents enduring uncomfortable and poorly ventilated conditions during the hot months.

Climate change also has a significant impact on low-income individuals working in grassroots positions. A 2022 Oxfam Hong Kong’s study on working conditions in waste collection centers in Hong Kong revealed that temperatures inside these facilities averaged 32.2C (90.0F), surpassing the July average by two degrees. Issues such as poor ventilation, heat, humidity, pests, foul odors, and a lack of rest areas are prevalent in both existing and renovated waste collection centers. Under these circumstances, over 60% of cleaners expressed experiencing discomfort while on duty, with more than 70% indicating that they must stay in cooler and shaded areas along the streets for breaks and meals. Upon returning home from work, these workers may also have to endure extreme hot weather. 

According to interviews conducted by Hong Kong-based local group Concern for Grassroots’ Livelihood Alliance in August 2024, 90% of the street cleaners reported experiencing fatigue, thirst, headaches, dizziness, increases in body temperature, and nausea while working, despite their employers providing portable fans. “I have to drink seven bottles of drinks a day, including water, homemade herbal tea, energy drinks, and more,” Pattie, a 55-year-old cleaner, told Hong Kong Free Press in July. “Sometimes, when it’s too hot, even the taste of water makes me feel nauseous,” Pattie added.

Why Is Climate Change a Matter of Justice?

The impacts of climate change do not affect everyone equally but rather intersect with and exacerbate pre-existing inequities rooted in factors such as socioeconomic status, race, gender, and geographic location. Vulnerable and marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, the economically disadvantaged, women, and other minorities, bear a disproportionate burden. Due to structural social inequalities, they often lack the resources and resilience to adapt to the changing climate. 

The status quo underscores the critical need to understand climate change through the framework of inequality and address the climate crisis through the lens of social justice. Only by recognizing and remedying these disparities can we achieve climate justice and build a more equitable, resilient, and inclusive society in the face of the immense climate challenges. 

The post Why Climate Change Is a Matter of Justice appeared first on Earth.Org.

Heatwaves pose significant risks as one of the most perilous natural hazards. Their impact on human lives and the environment is often underestimated, necessitating greater attention and recognition. Climate change, caused by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, is poised to make heatwaves longer, more intense, and more frequent.

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A heatwave is a prolonged period of extremely hot weather, both during the day and at night. While extreme heat may not appear as visually striking as hurricanes or floods, its impacts are huge. This dangerous natural event can have widespread social, environmental, and economic repercussions as well as severely compromise human health and well-being, particularly among the most vulnerable groups of society, such as kids and the elderly, women, and those living in informal settlements.

Stress on human bodies caused by heat prevents normal daily activities and our ability to cool down properly. Areas that generally have more humidity can also put lives at risk. Sweat helps our bodies cool off, but humidity changes the way sweat evaporates from the body. Not being able to cool down puts people’s health at risk, and can lead to increased cardiovascular and respiratory complications, dehydration, heatstroke, higher blood pressure, and sleep deprivation.

Excessively hot and humid conditions can be deadly, as they affect humans’ thermoregulation, the process that maintains a steady internal body temperature – ideally between 36.5 to 37.5C – despite changes in external conditions. In other words, when the threshold – a theoretical upper limit of the human body’s adaptability to extreme heat, which scientists set at 35C – is breached, sweating will not be enough to cool off the body.

A study published in 2021 showed that approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred globally each year between 2000 and 2019. 

In the US, heatwaves have been by far the most lethal weather event over the past three decades. Elsewhere in the world, extreme heat has resulted in countless deaths, too. A recent study showed that in Europe alone, over 60,000 people died from heat-related stress during the 2022 summer. In the continent – which is the fastest-warming in the world – heat-related mortality has increased by around 30% in the past two decades, while heat-related deaths are estimated to have increased in 94% of the European regions monitored.

More recently, heat killed dozens of people in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand and parts of the US, while in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, more than 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives to extreme heat during the annual Hajj.

In addition to human health and well-being, heatwaves also have a significant impact on public safety, infrastructure, and the natural environment. Hot extremes have grown more intense in urban areas, exacerbating air pollution. Indeed, elevated temperatures lead to increased usage of air conditioning systems in buildings and cars, which in turn results in higher emissions and air pollution. Additionally, heatwaves can negatively impact the performance of essential infrastructures by affecting the materials used in their construction. For example, when combined with increased rainfall, extreme temperatures can accelerate the corrosion of metals and the deterioration of brick and stone materials, which, in turn, can weaken the steel structure embedded within a building’s concrete exterior.

What Causes Heatwaves?

Heatwaves typically originate from the presence of a high-pressure system, also known as an anticyclone. This atmospheric condition causes the air above a region to accumulate and compress, resulting in increased temperature and reduced moisture content. The sinking air acts as a heat dome, trapping the absorbed heat within the landscape. Simultaneously, the high-pressure system displaces cooler air and disperses clouds, allowing uninterrupted sunlight to reach the ground. As a result, the air near the ground continues to be heated persistently until it surpasses the average temperature. 

Heatwaves are particularly common in dry regions like the desert Southwest and at higher altitudes, where the formation of high-pressure systems is more prone to occur.

The presence of moisture in the ground can mitigate the impact of heat, much like how sweating cools the body through evaporation. However, when ground, waterways, and vegetation retain limited water, their capacity to absorb the heat is significantly reduced, leaving the air as the primary medium for heat retention.

How Does Climate Change Intensify Heatwaves? 

The world has just breached the 1.5C global warming threshold for 12 consecutive months, with June becoming the hottest June in documented history – the 13th month in a row seeing record-breaking temperatures. This increase in extreme heat is a direct result of human-made climate change. As greenhouse gas emissions trap more heat in the atmosphere, heatwaves – the deadliest type of extreme weather event – get longer and hotter.

An attribution study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that the heatwave affecting India and Pakistan in March 2022 was highly influenced by human-induced climate change, which made it at least 30 times more likely to occur. WWA also found that the likelihood of a 2020 heatwave affecting Siberia was 600 times higher due to climate change compared to it occurring naturally.

As Vikki Thompson, climate scientist at the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute, explains: “Climate change is making heatwaves hotter and last longer around the world. Scientists have shown that many specific heatwaves are more intense because of human-induced climate change. The climate change signal is even detectable in the number of deaths attributed to heatwaves.” 

This explanation aligns with the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which suggests that human-caused climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the 1950s and will continue to do so as the planet keeps warming.  

Additional reporting: Martina Igini.

Featured image: Stuart Rankin/Flickr.

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