Climate commitments affected by war, unseasonal autumn and more

🌎 6 months of war in Ukraine: how has the armed confrontation affected climate commitments?

Completed 6 months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the impact of sanctions and political unrest have led to the loosening of climate commitments by some European countries.

With Russian gas supply cuts threatening European winter, attempts were made to solidify the bloc's energy security. River and reservoir levels are also low due to widespread drought – the worst in the last 500 years.

Pragmatic issues have become the focus of nations affected by the conflict and climate commitments end up being left aside. Coal plants are being reignited and forests are cut down for firewood storage.

While few policies have been reversed, and most measures are temporary to deal with the crisis, this could put the European Union's goal – and commitment – ​​to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 at risk.

Understand a little more about the problem through curated by Curto:

• Last victim of the war in Ukraine? The Fight Against Climate Change (The New York Times*)🚥
• Heat wave and conflict in Ukraine heighten Europe's dilemma over CO2 emissions (One Planet)
• War in Ukraine threatens global climate goals (DW)

🍂 Autumn in August?

The scorching, dry summer in the UK has not only taken its toll on land, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but has also caused trees to lose their leaves prematurely, creating a “false autumn”.

The English landscape is now a sea of ​​orange, yellow, red and brown colors leaving a blanket of leaves on the ground. 

Premature leaf drop is a sign of stress for trees, which respond by shedding foliage to conserve moisture. 

According to experts, while trees with deep roots can withstand drier conditions, younger, less well-rooted trees may be at risk. 

“Trees use the hormones they use in autumn to retract and ensure their survival”, explains Rosie Walker, from the Woodland Trust. “They will continue to do this for a few years, but it will start to impact our trees if we are not more careful,” she told BBC radio.

In July, temperatures rose above 40°C in the UK and it was also the driest month on record in many parts of southern and eastern England. 

Steve Hussey, representative of the Devon Wildlife Trust in southwest England, explains that “for wildlife, nature’s timing is everything.” “The climate crisis is bringing seasonal patterns that our wildlife is not adapted to,” he commented.

For Hussey, the long summer “and the false autumn will have repercussions on countless species until the autumn months and beyond”.

🌱 France approves law banning advertisements linked to fossil fuels

France became the first European country with a law dedicated to banning advertising related to fossil fuels, affecting oil, energy and mining companies.

The legislation responds to the appeal of environmental and climate entities in the country, and establishes fines ranging from 20 thousand euros to 100 thousand euros – which can double in value in the case of a repeat offense.

However, some of these entities believe that the measure does not have sufficient scope, as it does not prevent gas advertisements, sponsorships, etc.

Vous allez lire partout que la publicité pour les energy fossiles est désormais interdite, mais c'est faux !
Les pubs pour le gas peuvent continuar, le mécénat, le parrainage, la communication institutionnelle et la pub financière sur les produits fossiles restent autorisés 🙄 pic.twitter.com/HH2TjvNr4u

- Greenpeace France (@greenpeacefr) August 22

On the other side, some say the restriction goes too far. “If we have a reduction in the price of gasoline, it's a bit stupid if we can't tell anyone,” said Édouard Leclerc, president of Leclerc supermarkets, to the portal Euronews Green*.

Will this “fad” catch on?

(With AFP)

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