Reports raise the alarm on rising seas

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

Twin reports warn of rising sea levels in the Pacific

What’s happening: The World Meteorological Organization’s report on the South West Pacific says this area is dealing with three big problems: rising sea levels, warmer ocean temperatures, and more acidic water due to increased carbon dioxide. The UN Climate Action Team also released a report called "Surging Seas in a Warming World", which reveals global average sea levels are rising at rates unprecedented in the past 3,000 years. Sea levels have risen an average of 9.4cm (3.7in) in the past 30 years but in the tropical Pacific, that figure was as high as 15cm according to the report.

Why it’s happening: Greenhouse gases are heating the planet including its oceans. These gases are mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels, at over 75%. This burning also causes nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

Why it’s important: If we don't act quickly, the world will exceed the 1.5C temperature increase set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. This agreement aims to keep global warming “well below" 2C by the end of the century and to try to stay within the safer limit of 1.5C. To do this, we need to cut global emissions by 43% compared to 2019 levels by 2030, and 60% by 2035. However, last year global emissions actually rose by 1%. The G20 group of wealthy nations represent 80% of emissions. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated they and the companies which contribute to much of the world’s emissions “have a clear responsibility to reverse the current trend. It’s time to say 'enough'."

📖 Read the reports: State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific and Surging seas in a warming world

Texas leads solar in US despite lawmakers

What’s happening: In the first part of 2024, 47 percent of the electricity on the Texas power grid came from zero-carbon wind, solar, and nuclear power. This is an increase from 40 percent in 2023. In 2023, Texas surpassed California as the leading state for large-scale solar energy. Texas might also install more large-scale battery systems than California this year.

Why it’s happening: This change is almost entirely because large solar power systems and batteries became cheaper than power plants that use fossil fuels. Solar power and batteries are growing in Texas as a result, even though state lawmakers recently passed laws to support fossil-fuel power plants. These laws include a $5 billion loan program with low interest rates, which received 72 applications asking for $24 billion to build up to 38 gigawatts of new gas power plants. Another plan involves paying gas power plants extra money for being ready during grid emergencies.

Why it’s important: The biggest difference between last summer and this summer is that Texas has increased its solar power from 13 GW to 21 GW and has about doubled its battery storage in the past year. Gas-fired power plants are the main source of electricity on the Texas power grid. Supporters believe Texas needs more of these plants for times when wind and solar power are not available. However, during the hottest summer days and evenings, using solar power and batteries has been a reliable, cheaper, and cleaner option.

📖 Read the full article: Solar and batteries are helping Texas weather heat waves

🌐 Travel to Sydney

The best areas for thrift shopping

Shop sustainably with our guide: Read our new article to discover the areas in Sydney we have found with the best op shops, thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and markets with bargains and unique items for your wardrobe and home.

😇 People doing great things

Sourcing clean water from ‘thin air’

A new frontier in water production: Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) pull water from the air and then utilise filtration and sterilisation technology to make water safe to drink. Aquaria Technologies, a startup from San Francisco, started in 2022 to offer cheap and clean drinking water to places hit hardest by climate change. Aquaria’s AWGs pull in air, cool it down until water forms, and then collect and clean the water for use. As the cycle continues, the generator's refrigerant turns into vapour and then cools down to become liquid again. This means the heat transfer cycle keeps repeating in an energy-efficient and self-sustaining way. Aquaria has made several generators, but its stand-alone model Hydropack X can provide enough clean water for a whole house, making up to 264 gallons of drinkable water each day. Other models, like the Hydrostation, can give water to up to 1,500 people at places like parks, construction sites, or other outdoor areas. The Hydropixel meanwhile can make 24 gallons of water each day for easy use at home, needing just a regular power outlet.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

China cuts coal and increases renewable power

Possible turning point: China cut the number of permits for new coal plants by nearly 80% in the first half of 2024, while the country’s combined wind and solar capacity exceeded coal capacity for the first time over the same period, and made up 84.2% of all new grid-connected capacity.

Ikea trials a secondhand marketplace online

Available only in Madrid and Oslo at first: Ikea Preowned is a platform where people can sell their used Ikea furniture by posting pictures and setting a price for their items before arranging a time and place to meet and exchange the furniture with the buyers.

Last captive elephant in South Africa released

Was being held at the national zoo: Originally captured in 1984 from Zimbabwe’s Hwange national park when he was two years old, the elephant named Charlie was released after a total of 40 years in captivity after concerns had been raised about his welfare.

Freetown reduces household heat with mirror roofs

Reduction of up to six degrees Celsius: Heat-reflective roofing sheets made from recycled plastics have achieved success in a pilot program to help cool the city after Sierra Leone’s capital faced extreme heat during 2024.

US National Park Foundation received historic donation

$100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc: The endowment is the biggest ever received by the NPF in its 108-year history and will be used in four key areas: creating opportunities for young people, addressing critical biodiversity concerns, providing a ‘world-class’ visitor experience, and building a more inclusive narrative.

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