[GWSG] Russian permafrost; burying coal; worried youth; old bad algae; climate migrants emerge; CH4 emissions ledge

[Tilley, Al]

1. A 4.5-minute video takes a look at Russia’s melting permafrost and the problems it poses. https://climatecrocks.com/2021/09/12/vivid-new-footage-of-siberian-permafrost/

2. Since the Paris Agreement was reached in 2015, more than ¾ of the plans to build coal power plants were scrapped. 40 countries have signed a no-coal pledge, and another 44 no longer have any plants planned. COP 26, now set for November in Glasgow, provides an opportunity for nations to agree to cancel the remaining coal plant plans. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/most-plans-for-new-coal-plants-scrapped-since-paris-agreement

3. Young people worldwide are worried about climate change and feel that their governments are failing them. 40% are afraid to have children. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/four-in-10-young-people-fear-having-children-due-to-climate-crisis?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20210915&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily

4.  The extinction of most life in the end-Permian event of 252 million years ago featured toxic microbial blooms. These feed on greenhouse gas emissions, high temperatures, and abundant nutrients, which we are now supplying. Forest fires were also widespread in the end-Permian. It took the earth four million years to recover. https://phys.org/news/2021-09-animals-died-toxic-soup-earth.html

5. Climate migration has already begun for those who can afford it. About half of those in the US who plan to move within the next year say that natural disasters and heat influenced their move. 1 in 5 Americans say that climate changes are already lowering the value of homes in their area. (Yet one survey in August found that more people are moving into at-risk areas than are moving out.) The linked 45-minute video provides a great deal of further information on climate and housing—and some freighted stories.  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/16/homeowners-relocating-because-of-climate-change-wildfires-flooding.html

6.  The European Union and 8 other countries, including the US and other high emitters, have signed a pledge to reduce methane emissions 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Other nations will be invited to sign at the Glasgow conference in November. The press release describes emissions control initiatives in the EU and the US.  https://www.publicnow.com/view/C167458BB38D9116C07CC491B15F63224C9C960D

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