[GWSG] Arctic turboheating; G7 tightens goals; Thunberg ties crises; West Coast wind; bad day for big oil, good for us

[Tilley, Al]

1. From 1971-2019, the Arctic warmed at triple the rate of the planet as a whole. Forest fires, habitat destruction and increased carbon release are among the results. The rate of heating is half again greater than expected. https://phys.org/news/2021-05-arctic-faster-planet.html

2. The G7 nations have agreed to adopt a goal of limiting heating to 1.5C. To do that, they must set stricter and more immediate controls than would have been required for the previous 2C target. The IEA’s report saying that development of fossil fuels must cease now  is said to have been a factor. The group meets again next month. This virtual meeting was joined by India, Australia, South Africa and South Korea who have guest status. China is taken somewhat as the competition by the G7.  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57203400

3. In a five-minute video Greta Thunberg makes the crucial connection among the health crisis, the ecological crisis, and the climate crisis. https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1396058911325790208

4. The Biden administration has opened up more that 250,000 acres off the California coast to offshore wind power development. Along with the East Coast developments announced earlier, the turbines will help meet the target of 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. The Department of Defense had been opposing West Coast wind power—air and naval forces like to hold exercises close to the coast line—but have dropped their objections.  https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-05-25/biden-administration-unveils-an-offshore-wind-plan-for-californias-coast?__twitter_impression=true&_amp=true&utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20210526&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily

5. ExxonMobil, Shell Oil, and Chevron all had a cataclysmic day May 26. Shell was ordered by a Dutch court to cut emissions 45% by 2030; Chevron’s management was ordered by its stockholders to cut emissions. ExxonMobil was forced to accept two climate activists on its board. The day’s events could mark a turning point in the political and economic dominance of the fossil fuel industry. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/27/cataclysmic-day-for-oil-companies-sparks-climate-hope

6. More detail on hedge fund Engine No. 1’s move on the ExxonMobil board. The election is ongoing and more activists may be in store. https://theconversation.com/engine-no-1s-big-win-over-exxon-shows-activist-hedge-funds-joining-fight-against-climate-change-159983?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%2027%202021%20-%201958519198&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%2027%202021%20-%201958519198+CID_c75d53e4d0ec4414a634f7f3269bc912&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=Engine%20No%201s%20big%20win%20over%20Exxon%20shows%20activist%20hedge%20funds%20joining%20fight%20against%20climate%20change

7. Bill McKibben entirely satisfies your remaining curiosity about Wednesday’s events. https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADY3M2IwNjNlLWY1ODItNGUxMi04MGY0LTE4OWQxNGM3ZWNlNAAQAMulhnlACoRJnNUZfBmKuus%3D

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