Podcasts




U.S.-China Climate Pledges and India's Coal Reliance

Duration: 0:11:52

The climate summit in Glasgow showcased the determination of countries to control greenhouse gas emissions. China and the US made commitments to strengthen their climate actions, despite political and economic tensions. However, China's agreement with India to reduce the use of coal was weakened, and its emissions are still twice as high as the US and four times as high as India's. Japan pledged to reduce its use of coal. The UN's document on climate change for the first time highlighted coal as a major driver of global warming, with India opposing the motion. The agreement reached called for the gradual reduction of coal use and the end of inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels. To achieve the target of controlling global warming by 1.5°C, emissions must be reduced by 10-45% by 2030, with wealthy nations required to submit new emissions plans by 2025.


Ocean temperatures set to break records in 2021

Duration: 0:11:02

A report released in January 2022 by a group of 14 international research teams including the United States, China, and Italy, stated that the global warming caused by CO2 and CH4 has increased due to the rise in sea temperature. The ocean temperatures have been continuously rising for the last three years, making 2021 the warmest year on record since modern ocean observations began. The report highlights that over 90% of global warming occurs in the oceans, and ocean heat content changes are the best indicators of global warming. The main cause of ocean warming is attributed to the increase in greenhouse gases, and its effects could last for at least a century. The report also mentions the influence of natural events like La Niña, which is a natural climate phenomenon, on ocean warming. However, the impact of La Niña is temporary and does not affect the long-term impact of human activities on climate change. The report also warns of the possibility of extreme weather events continuing due to global warming.