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.
October 14 – October 20, 2021
Dear readers,

September 2021 was the hottest month this year and the fifth warmest in 142 years – a sign that climate change is real. Record breaking rainfall in Uttarakhand and extreme weather events in Kerala are ways in which its impacts are being felt.

Yet, countries are planning to increase fossil fuel production, according to UNEP, despite them being a leading cause for global warming. UNEP’s new report also finds that ‘net zero’ pledges made by countries amount to empty promises.

The continent of Africa is one of the most vulnerable to drought exposure, and its needs must be addressed in the upcoming COP 26 conference.

To catch up with the key themes to be discussed at COP 26, journalists are invited to a Pre-COP 26 Online Media Briefing, by the Centre for Science and Environment on October 27th.
   
 
EXTREME WEATHER TRACKER
 
Climate change is real: Uttarakhand rains break all-time records, 19 October 2021
Down To Earth
 
   
 
Down To Earth ‘Double-dip’: La Nina has formed for second year in a row, says NOAA, 19 October 2021
 
   
 
This September was the 5th warmest in 142 years: Report, 19 October 2021
For the Southern Hemisphere, the month was the hottest this year
 
   
 
Has Kerala learnt anything from extreme weather? Apparently not, say experts, 18 October 2021
As extreme weather kills 26 and makes several homeless in Kerala, experts urge climate literacy
 
   
 
COMMENTARIES
UNEP production gap report: Net-zero targets by countries are empty pledges without plans, 20 October 2021
Governments are planning to produce more than double the production of fossil fuels than what the world requires to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius
 
     
 
Why we must ponder on carbon capture technology to reduce GHG emissions, 18 October 2021
CCS is a technology-driven activity that requires capturing carbon dioxide produced by industrial activity, transporting it, and storing it deep underground
 
   
 
Australia’s top economists back carbon price, say benefits of net-zero outweigh cost, 18 October 2021
With right settings in place, Australia could become a major producer of zero-emissions hydrogen, and industrial powerhouse that used its iron ore and green energy to export green steel
 
   
 
COP26: Africa’s challenges must steer the climate change conference, 18 October 2021
Africa carries the heaviest burden of the associated climate change effects
 
     
 
How smartphones are killing the planet, 14 October 2021
The energy used to build a single smartphone is equal to the energy required to operate it for about a decade
 
     
 
How socio-economic conditions shape renewable energy uptake in Zimbabwe, 14 October 2021
Development in the energy sector should be guided by the improvements it makes to the livelihoods of intended beneficiaries
 
   
  CLIMATE NEWS | SCIENCE| IMPACTS| POLITICS  
   
 
Down To Earth
The snows of Kilimanjaro could vanish by 2040 due to climate change: Report, 20 October 2021
By 2030, up to 118 million extremely poor people in Africa will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat
 
   
 
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By 2030, early warnings on floods and droughts to be available for all: WMO, 20 October 2021
World Meteorological Congress endorses Water and Climate Coalition for promoting sharing and access to integrated hydrological, cryosphere, meteorological and climate data
 
   
 
Down To Earth
Heavy rains damage paddy crop in Bihar’s Seemanchal and Kosi regions, 20 October 2021
Standing crops have been damaged in about 663,776.28 hectares due to floods, excessive rains and waterlogging this year
 
   
 
Down To Earth
Global plans on increasing fossil fuel production a bad sign for warming world: UNEP report, 20 October 2021
The world will produce 240% more coal than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This is equal to 75% of current levels of global coal production
 
   
 
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El Nino-like weather conditions increased short-term malnutrition in children across tropics: Study, 18 October 2021
Nearly 6 million children were driven into hunger during 2015 El Nino
 
   
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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 vikas@cseindia.org
 
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