March 20 NEC Energy News
¶ “Last Decade Was Earth’s Hottest Ever As CO₂ Levels Reach An 800,000-Year High” • In its annual State of the Climate report, the World Meteorological Organization revealed an increasingly warming world with oceans at record high temperatures, glaciers retreating at record speed, and sea levels rising. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are at an 800,000-year high. [ABC News]
¶ “Trump Floats A US Takeover Of Ukraine’s Nuclear Plants” • Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that the US could own and run Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of his latest bid to secure a ceasefire in Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. The offer comes as military chiefs prepared for talks in Britain to discuss planning for a peacekeeping force. [Yahoo]
¶ “The Drought-Resistant ‘Zombie Plants’ That Come Back From The Dead” • To protect crops from rising droughts, scientists are looking to the genes of a small group of plants that can survive months of drought then regreen within hours. One hope is that genes can be transplanted into food crops. Another hope is that the transplant will not be necessary. [BBC]
¶ “Low Carbon Farming ‘Essential’ For Climate Goals” • Low carbon farming practices are “essential” to meeting Northern Ireland’s climate goals, according to the Climate Change Committee. The CCC has recommended a 77% reduction in overall emissions by 2040 in its advice on Northern Ireland’s fourth carbon budget. [BBC]
¶ “Big Oil Going Green At Even Faster Pace” • China’s national oil companies are accelerating their transition toward clean energy practices, focusing on the efficient use of fossil fuels and the integration of oil, gas, and renewable energy resources, company executives and industry experts have said. China’s goal is to be carbon neutral in 2060. [China Daily]
¶ “More ‘Beautiful, Clean Coal’ Power Coming To US Thanks To America’s Ayatollah” • Coal accounts for about 15% of electric generation in the US, down from over 50% in 2000, according to the US Energy Information Administration. But the Trump administration wants its return. He calls it “beautiful, clean coal.” It is neither beautiful nor clean. [CleanTechnica]
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