YOUR WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE
- What is historically UK’s longest lasting patch of snow has disappeared for “only the eighth time in 300 years”. Dubbed the Sphinx, the patch on remote Braeriach in the Cairngorms has melted away. Snow patch expert Iain Cameron said climate change was a likely factor. According to records, the Sphinx previously melted fully in 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017 and 2018. Before 1933, it is thought to have last melted completely in the 1700s. The Sphinx had shrunk to the size of an A4 piece of paper in recent weeks before finally disappearing in mild weather.
- Despite increasing international concern about global warming, one of the world’s greatest defences against climate change – the Amazon rainforest – is under growing attack from deforestation. But while environmentalists see protection of the Amazon as vital, many of those working and making a living in it – including those cutting down its trees – say they depend on the forest and its resources for their own survival. On Tuesday at the COP26 climate summit, more than 100 countries, covering about 85% of the world’s rainforests, are due to sign the pledge.
- Countries which rely heavily on coal – biggest contributor to global warming – are committing to move away from it. More than 40 countries have signed up to quit the use of the fossil fuel. “The end of coal is in sight,” says Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. But some of the world’s biggest coal-dependent countries, including Australia, India, China and the US, didn’t sign up, which makes for “glaring gaps”, according to shadow business secretary Ed Miliband. There is also nothing about moving away from oil and gas, he adds.
- This summer alone Greece was hit by thousands of wildfires, fanned by its worst heatwave in decades. Turkey, Italy and Spain all witnessed dramatic fires in recent months and the fire on the Greek island of Evia was the biggest in Greece since records began. What happened on Evia was a megafire, an intense conflagration, which took almost two weeks to bring under control. With more heatwaves forecast for future summers, there are fears that megafires could become the new normal.
- Researchers in many countries are looking for alternatives to traditional meat because farming animals is helping to drive up global temperatures. Even Hollywood stars have been jumping on the alternative protein bandwagon with with Leonardo Di Caprio among the most vocal. But aside from film stars, where are Wall Street and some of Europe’s biggest institutional investors putting their money? We take a look at three of the hottest areas of this deliciously weird science.
- Delegates from around 200 countries are there to announce how they will cut emissions by 2030 and help the planet. With the world warming because of fossil fuel emissions caused by humans, scientists warn that urgent action is needed to avoid a climate catastrophe. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the summit will be the “world’s moment of truth”. Speaking ahead of the two-week conference, Mr Johnson urged leaders to make the most of it: “The question everyone is asking is whether we seize this moment or let it slip away.”
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