Down to Earth
Climate Weekly
A weekly digest on impacts, politics and science of the climate emergency; from the Global South perspective. Access our extensive coverage on climate. You can find this newsletter in the web here.
September 12 - September 16, 2020
Dear readers,

This week smoke from the wildfires on the United States’ West Coast travelled to the East Coast and beyondin the form of a carbon monoxide plume, as observed by NASA. Meanwhile, the climate of the polar regions is starting to change – it is warmer, rainier and without its pivotal snow that plays a key role.Infact, according to the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the northern hemisphere faced its warmest summer on record in 2020.These events are constant reminders of the urgency to act and mitigate as many of the impacts of the climate crisis as we can.

Strong leadership is required to steer this action, and this week we take a look at the climate credentials of Kamala Harris - a candidate for the Vice-Presidency of the world’s second largest emitter, the United States. Looking East, we also evaluate who could possibly take up the role of the leader of a future “Green World Order”, India or China.

Advances in scientific research continue to inform us for better preparedness. A report by IUCN recommends that conservation of soil biodiversity and soil organic carbonthrough sustainable farming practices should be deemed essential, for its role as a natural carbon sink. Another study by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services monitors trends in phytoplankton biomass in Bay of Bengal, which is important as could serve as a basis for monitoring climate change.

On the socio-economic front, astudy published in Nature Climate Change revealed that human migration due to changing climate happens primarily in middle income and agricultural-dependent countries.A UN taskforce for scaling up voluntary carbon markets has been critiqued by our climate experts, followed by a call to ensure the integrity of these markets.

On energy, we take a look at how electricity sourced from non-fossil fuels varies with seasons in India, and ending on a promising note - the key trends that will shape a renewable energy powered future.

   
 
EXTREME WEATHER TRACKER
 
Less ice, more rain... Why a new Arctic climate can be a global watershed| 16 September 2020
Down To Earth
 
   
 
Down To Earth This summer was the hottest on record for the northern hemisphere, says NOAA| 15 September 2020
 
   
 
COMMENTARIES
Is Kamala Harris a reliable climate leader?| 15 September 2020
Harris, the democratic vice-presidential candidate, expressed support for the Green New Deal, but has represented the establishment wing of the Democratic party throughout her political career
 
     
 
The Green World Order: India vs China — who can lead?| 15 September 2020
The world is sitting on the brink of a catastrophe. Neither the US nor China is keen to safeguard the world through their roadmaps on the Green World Order
 
   
 
Voluntary carbon markets need integrity as much as growth| 14 September 2020
Task force launched by United Nations Climate Finance envoy must widen its task
 
   
  CLIMATE NEWS | SCIENCE| IMPACTS| POLITICS  
   
 
Down To Earth
California wildfires: NASA captures vast plumes of carbon monoxide| 16 September 2020
Extremely high carbon monoxide concentrations of greater than 350 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) captured by NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument, aboard its Aqua satellite
 
   
 
Down To Earth
Enhanced food security and soil biodiversity: A climate-positive approach| 16 September 2020
Conservation of soil biodiversity, soil organic carbon through sustainable farming practices should be deemed essential to improve agricultural land health and productivity
 
   
 
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New study helps monitor trends in phytoplankton biomass in Bay of Bengal| 15 September 2020
Information on marine environmental parameters is important as it serves as a basis for monitoring climate change, river discharge
 
   
 
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Climate Migration primarily in middle income, agri-dependent countries: Study| 14 September 2020
Study can go long way in pinpointing future hot spots for climate-induced migration
 
   
 
Down To Earth
India’s non-fossil fuel contribution peak: It’s a seasonal trend| 14 September 2020
The share of electricity sourced from non-fossil-fuels usually peaks during the summer season
 
   
 
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A sneak-peek into a renewable energy-powered future| 14 September 2020
Electrification of end-use sectors through variable renewable energy is an emerging solution. Increasing the deployment of distributed energy resources turns the consumer into an active member
 
   
 
Factsheets
     
Down To Earth
Energy Storage
With renewable energy capacity addition outstripping that of coal globally, energy storage has acquired immense importance. India needs to develop its own domestic manufacturing capacity in this sector
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Rooftop Solar
The solar rooftop (SRT) sector in India has received ample encouragement and support officially, but its progress forward has been hampered by a lack of enthusiasm from discoms, which fear more losses if their high tariff-paying customers – the commercial and institutional sectors – choose to opt for SRT
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This Weekly Newsletter is published by Down to Earth and the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based global think tank advocating on global south developmment issues.
We would love your feedback on this newsletter. To speak to our experts for quotes and comments on the above stories. Please email to cns@cseindia.org
 
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