Headlines of the Warming World No 15
World's First Carbon Tax on Agricultural Emissions; Heatwaves around the World; Youth Climate Activists Win Landmark Case; Microplastics Found in Penises; and Giant Viruses in Greenland Ice
Denmark Introduces World’s First Carbon Tax in Agriculture
Denmark is a significant player in global food production, particularly in pork and dairy. Pork production, in particular, is a major industry, with Denmark exporting around 90% of its pork. Both of these industries are known for their high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane and nitrous oxide, which are significant contributors to climate change.
In response to the environmental impact of its agriculture sector, the Danish government has introduced the world’s first carbon tax on agricultural emissions. This groundbreaking tax aims to reduce emissions from livestock farming by encouraging more sustainable practices. Set at 750 Danish Crowns (€101) per tonne of CO2 equivalent, this tax is part of Denmark's environmental strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Hopefully, this initiative will serve as a model for similar efforts around the world.
Climate Change Supercharges Heatwaves Worldwide
In May and June 2024, extreme heatwaves hit Mexico, the Southwestern United States, and North Central America, resulting in over 125 fatalities, numerous heat strokes, and widespread power outages. Drought conditions worsened the crisis, significantly reducing water and electricity supplies.
Scientific analysis has confirmed that climate change amplified the severity of these events, increasing daytime temperatures by 1.4 °C and making such heatwaves 35 times more likely. Looking ahead, as global temperatures continue to rise, these extreme weather events are expected to become the norm in a world that is 2°C warmer.
In May and June 2024, extreme heatwaves hit Mexico, the Southwestern United States, and North Central America, resulting in over 125 fatalities, numerous heat strokes, and widespread power outages. Drought conditions worsened the crisis, significantly reducing water and electricity supplies.
Scientific analysis has confirmed that climate change amplified the severity of these events, increasing daytime temperatures by 1.4°C and making such heatwaves 35 times more likely. Looking ahead, as global temperatures continue to rise, these extreme weather events are expected to become the norm in a world that is 2°C warmer.
India is not a stranger to extreme heat; however, this year the country has experienced the longest heatwave in its history, with temperatures hovering between 45-50C in several cities. The extreme heat has persisted for about 24 days in different regions of the country, resulting in at least 110 deaths while over 40,000 people have been grappling with suspected heatstroke from 1 March to 18 June 2024.
India, the fourth-largest economy and the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, faces challenges arising from industrialization, population growth, and carbon emissions.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that at least 1,301 people died during Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage, according to BBC News. The majority of these fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who endured long walks in intense heat. Temperatures along the pilgrimage route from 16-18 June reached 47 °C at times and exceeded 51.8 °C at Mecca's Great Mosque. ClimaMeter's weather attribution analysis indicates that human-induced climate change likely intensified these extreme temperatures by approximately 2.5°C (4.5°F).
As one of the world’s largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia must acknowledge and address the consequences of its actions.
Keiki o ka ‘āina (children of the land)
A group of children and young activists in Hawaii, organised by Our Children Trust, turned to the courts to assert their rights to a safe and healthy climate. They asked their government to accept its responsibility as a trustee for future generations by decarbonizing Hawai‘i’s transportation system. The plaintiffs alleged that Hawaii violated their constitutional right to a clean environment by implementing transportation policies using fossil fuels and causing polluting emissions.
Navahine v. Hawaii's Department of Transportation is the world’s first youth-led constitutional climate case addressing climate pollution from the transportation sector and an important step toward addressing climate change through legal action.
Last year, on 20 June 2023, a group of 167 young people in Montana, also organized by Our Children’s Trust, won their case against that state, arguing that Montana was violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment by permitting fossil fuel extraction and burning without adequately considering the climate impact.
Unexpected Allies: Giant Viruses in Greenland Ice Might Help Combat Climate Change
Scientists have found giant viruses infecting algal blooms on the Greenland ice sheet which may slow the impacts of climate change by slowing the growth of algae that accelerate ice melt.
These huge viruses, known as nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses, have been found infecting algae on the ice sheet. Algal blooms darken the ice surface, causing it to absorb more sunlight and accelerating melting. Given that the Greenland ice sheet is the largest single contributor to sea-level rise, regulating algal growth is vital. These viruses may help control algal populations, potentially preventing the rapid melting of ice that contributes to rising global sea levels.
The research results suggest that these viruses have been infecting algae for centuries, possibly keeping the ice melt in check. However, the idea of using viruses to control algae isn’t without controversy. Algae play a vital role in carbon storage, and their removal could have unintended consequences. This underscores the need for more data and for large-scale research to fully understand the many factors affecting algae growth and their impact on ice melt.
Microplastics Detected in Penises
Microplastics (MPs) are becoming a major environmental and health issue. These breakdown products of plastic, smaller than 5 millimetres in length, have been found everywhere, in every nook and cranny of the planet, in the air, oceans, rivers, clouds, and the water we drink. They have been detected in food items like seafood, sea salt and bottled drinks (please avoid buying and drinking bottled water.)
Microplastics have both toxic and mechanical effects on humans and animals. It is virtually impossible to avoid them. Little wonder, therefore, that microplastics have been detected throughout the human body, including in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, placenta, and even breast milk. And now, in penises.
Tissue samples taken from six men undergoing surgery for an inflatable penile prosthesis, a device used to treat erectile dysfunction, identified microplastics in 80% of the samples, with sizes ranging from 20–500 µm and even smaller particles down to 2 µm. Seven types of microplastics were found, with polyethylene terephthalate (47.8%) and polypropylene (34.7%) being the most common. The presence of microplastics in penile tissue is alarming, highlighting concerns about the impact of environmental pollutants on sexual health and potential links to erectile dysfunction and their effects on the male reproductive system.