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Taking stock of the results of the 26th climate summit, the devil is hidden in the details

Duration: 0:12:09

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) ended on November 13, 2021, in Glasgow, with mixed reactions. While UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that the summit achieved a significant step, climate activists like Greta Thunberg labeled it as an empty conference. However, experts have summarized that the conference made progress, especially in terms of increasing the number of countries committing to net-zero carbon emissions and setting new targets to reduce emissions. Despite the lack of concrete progress in funding, countries promised to reach the funding targets by 2023. The summit also highlighted the need to gradually reduce funding for fossil fuels. Furthermore, the conference succeeded in implementing the Paris Agreement's sixth article, which had been controversial due to the different economic impacts it would have on different interest groups and countries. However, the specific implementation's effectiveness in reducing global carbon emissions is still debatable, and the delay in reaching a consensus on the article was the main reason for the summit's one-day extension.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeUN Climate Change Conference of Parties

Climate extremes and deforestation are causing the Amazon rainforest to lose its resilience

Duration: 0:11:44

A new scientific report reveals that the Amazon rainforest, known as the "lungs of the earth," is suffering irreversible damage due to increased occurrences of extreme weather and human activities such as overlogging and burning. According to the report published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change on March 7th, scientists observed and analyzed the health of the Amazon rainforest after 2000 and found that up to 75% of the tropical rainforest has lost its ability to recover from damage caused by droughts and wildfires. Scientists warn that the Amazon rainforest, which plays a crucial role in regulating the climate by absorbing approximately 90 billion tons of carbon dioxide, may reach a critical point and degrade into a tropical savanna. The study also indicates that the Amazon rainforest's ability to self-heal has declined to a warning level, mainly affecting the southeastern part of the forest, including Brazil. The loss of the Amazon rainforest would release vast amounts of carbon, leading to increased greenhouse gases and exacerbating the climate crisis.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ScienceClimate change

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.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeEnvironment

Climate summit pledges to end deforestation and cut methane by 2030

Duration: 0:11:59

More than 100 world leaders committed to investing nearly $200 billion to end deforestation by 2030 and reverse the loss and degradation of land. This announcement was made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where countries like Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Indonesia signed the agreement to stop deforestation by 2030, a move considered key to preventing the impacts of global warming. These countries have approximately 85% of the world's forests. Besides, 28 countries have committed to reducing deforestation in global trade of food and agricultural products such as palm oil, soy, and cocoa. The United Kingdom pledged to support the initiative with $200 million from public and private funds. The EU government also promised €103 billion by 2025 to tackle deforestation. The decision was considered crucial in controlling the Earth's warming to 1.5°C.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeDeforestation

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.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeEnvironmentLa Niña

After 2040, which tourist ski resorts in France lack the most snow, attracting attention

Duration: 0:06:54

The global climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable due to global warming, leading to concerns among readers of the Figaro newspaper about which ski resorts will be affected by lack of snow by 2040. Some ski resorts are already experiencing a decline in snowfall due to milder winters, leading some industry experts and researchers to suggest the need for a new tourism model. France's ski resorts have seen a decrease in average snowfall from the 1970s, and a comparison of snowfall data between 2014 and 2070 shows that some resorts will be more at risk than others. However, resorts situated at high altitudes, such as those above 2450-2700m, are less likely to be affected. The ski industry will need to adapt to a changing climate and develop alternative economic activities to reduce dependence on winter sports.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeEnvironmentFrance