[GWSG] Temporal.haus; circular cities; Fit for 55; EU mayors; Amazon sink to source; US green deal; new planes

[Tilley, Al]

1. Temporal.haus is designed to provide living quarters for climate refugees on Wiltshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Made of wood and straw, it embodies more carbon than went to its construction (which is largely of wood and straw), provides occupations (running and supplying food trucks) as well as residences, and can be recycled at the end of its 60 year life. https://www.treehugger.com/temporal-haus-community-built-of-wood-straw-5192119?utm_campaign=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=24433389&utm_term=

2. If cities are to become carbon neutral by 2030 they will need to embrace the new practices of a circular economy in everything from food waste to living space. https://www.greenbiz.com/article/creating-circular-cities-hinges-valuing-embodied-carbon
Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions are defined by the EPA. https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/greenhouse-gases-epa#:~:text=1%20Scope%203%20emissions%20include%20employee%20travel%20and,and%20distribution%20%28T%26D%29%20losses%20associated%20with%20purchased%20electricity.

3. The European Union has announced its Fit for 55 program designed to reduce emissions 55% by 2030. In the US, most attention has been given to the carbon border tax, which would begin in 2023 to lay tariffs on imports which embody excessive carbon emissions, effectively imposing a carbon tax on trading partners who exceed EU emissions standards. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/14/eus-green-deal-plans-launched-with-make-or-break-decade-warning
PhysOrg recognizes the ambition of Fit for 55 as well as the battles it will face (and, we hope, will win). https://phys.org/news/2021-07-eu-wades-green-revolution.html

4.  The mayors of ten major EU cities propose a package of measures which would “help deliver on the goals of the European Green Deal” in cities. https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/opinion/make-the-fit-for-55-package-fit-for-cities/

5. The Southeastern Amazon now emits more carbon than it absorbs, reversing its role as a carbon sink. The pressure on us for climate action has just increased. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/amazon-rainforest-now-emitting-more-co2-than-it-absorbs?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20210715&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily

6. US Democrats are submitting a $3.5 trillion social and environmental package of legislation which would fund an array of climate initiatives. One provision would tax imports from countries with high carbon emissions. (The Times sees this as a tax on lower income citizens. I see it as added pressure for international emissions standards.)  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/us/politics/biden-social-spending-deal.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_20210715&instance_id=35370&nl=todaysheadlines&regi_id=43628374&segment_id=63511&user_id=8c547d53af6ff6fc7d49cb8612c07102

7. United Airlines is buying 100 Swedish electric airplanes which will carry 19 passengers up to 250 miles. https://climatecrocks.com/2021/07/14/united-airlines-to-acquire-100-electric-passenger-planes/

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