[GWSG] Ocean heating; call for urgency; plants to tip; climate harms diets; fossils worse bet; opinions on climate actions

[Tilley, Al]

1. The upper ocean, from the surface to 2,000 meters—is at record high temperatures. Besides the obvious implications of dying corals, stronger storms, and more rain=more floods, salinity patterns and ocean stratification are influenced. Of course virtually all ocean life is at least disrupted. "Any activities or agreements to address global warming must be coupled with the understanding that the ocean has already absorbed an immense amount of heat and will continue to absorb excess energy in the Earth's system until atmospheric carbon levels are significantly lowered."  https://phys.org/news/2021-01-upper-ocean-temperatures-high.html

2. 17 scientists have written a summary of over 150 recent reports which warns that we are not taking the climate crisis seriously enough. “Dealing with the enormity of the problem requires far-reaching changes to global capitalism, education and equality, the paper says. These include abolishing the idea of perpetual economic growth, properly pricing environmental externalities, stopping the use of fossil fuels, reining in corporate lobbying, and empowering women, the researchers argue.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/top-scientists-warn-of-ghastly-future-of-mass-extinction-and-climate-disruption-aoe

3. In 20-30 years plants will pass a tipping point beyond which they will become a source of rather than a sink for atmospheric carbon. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-earth-temperature-years.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

4. Children’s diets in Asia, Africa, and South America are suffering as much or more from the climate crisis as they are from the traditional enemies—poverty, unsanitary conditions, and ignorance. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-climate-children-diets-global.html

5. The traditional energy sector is gaining an appropriately wretched reputation as an investment. https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/01/investors-flee-big-oil-as-portfolios-get-drilled/?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_WEEKLY_011121)

6. The Yale Program on Climate Communication has released its Politics & Global Warming report, based on surveys conducted since the presidential election. It is heartening reading, as it indicates that most registered voters support a range of climate actions. https://mailchi.mp/yale/new-study-most-voters-support-ambitious-climate-action?e=4dee1d8b35

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