[GWSG] Heat wave; fossils vs. human rights; AMOC lecture; treaty traps; birds in decline

[Tilley, Al]

1. The heat wave in India and Pakistan is unprecedented, but worse are likely to be in store, Deaths from heat in India have increased over 60% since 1980, https://phys.org/news/2022-05-india-pakistan-brace-worse-heatwaves.html

2. A seven-year inquiry by the Philippines Commission on Human Rights found 47 of the worst polluting fossil fuel companies morally and legally responsible for the harm they have caused. While the finding will lead to no direct action itself, it forms the basis for suits and charges in countries around the world. The inquiry was begun by petition of survivors of Typhoon Haiyan and local NGOs. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/06/filipino-inquiry-finds-big-polluters-morally-and-legally-liable-for-climate-damage

3. In a 50-minute illustrated lecture, Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute presents evidence and issues concerning the state of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, supporting his position that we are at risk of soon passing, and indeed may already have passed, a tipping point. If we pass it, the global climate will reform into a new state, much of it unwelcome.  https://climatecrocks.com/2022/05/07/the-weekend-wonk-stefan-rahmstorf-on-north-atlantic-circulation/

4. Fossil fuel companies have been able to secure treaty provisions protecting foreign investors from government actions by allowing them to sue for such infringements as cancelling pipelines and denying drilling permits. These treaty provision now threaten to prevent or hamper climate action, and will make the energy transition more costly while strengthening fossil fuels interests. However, treaties can be cancelled or changed. That fossil fuel corporations are engaging in criminal activity may help annul the treaty provisions (see item 2).  https://phys.org/news/2022-05-treaties-fossil-fuel-investors-jeopardize.html

5. A global review of bird populations finds half of the 11,000 species declining and 6% increasing in population. Numbers of birds in the US and Canada have dropped by 3 billion since 1970. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/05/canaries-in-the-coalmine-loss-of-birds-signals-changing-planet

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