*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Shovi tragedy anniversary, Kyrgyzstan's electricity appetite and a lot of opportunities to apply
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Tue Aug 13 19:48:14 MSK 2024
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Climate Action Network
Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Digest of news on climate change, energy
issues
www.caneecca.org
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Regional Climate News
The Shovi tragedy: one year later. Can
Georgia prevent natural disasters?
On August 3, 2023, the measured life of the
Georgian resort of Shovi was disrupted by a natural disaster. A powerful
landslide from the mountain slopes hit the village. Tons of mud and rocks
buried dozens of houses under them, turning the once picturesque area into a
place of disaster. The tragedy took the lives of thirty-three people,
leaving a deep wound on the heart of the Georgian people. How did it happen
and is it possible to prevent casualties in the event of a repeat of the
disaster? Read in our material.
Armenia’s transition to clean energy and
power transmission grid upgrades to benefit from World Bank support
On June 3, 2024, the World Bank approved $40
mln for Armenia's clean energy transition project, which includes
modernizing power transmission substations and attracting private
investment. Armenia aims to reduce dependence on fuel imports and plans to
integrate 1.1 GW of renewable energy into the grid by 2032. This will
provide electricity to 690,000 households and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 540,000 tons per year.
The first meeting of energy ministers of
Central Asia and Azerbaijan took place in Astana
On August 6, the first meeting of energy
ministers of Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held in Astana, where they
discussed, among other things, the development of green energy. Head of the
Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of transition to
low-carbon energy sources and cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan agreed to establish a joint venture in
Baku to export green energy to Europe, which will strengthen the region's
energy infrastructure.
The mountains of Central Asia and the
contribution of civil society organizations: a new illustrated report
Since 2016, the Critical Ecosystem
Partnership Fund (CEPF) has been working to preserve ecosystems in the
mountains of Central Asia by supporting civil society organizations through
a grant program. A new illustrated report prepared by CEPF and the
environmental network Zoï presents the contributions of these organizations
to wildlife conservation and the achievement of biodiversity conservation
goals. The report briefly summarizes the outcomes of the projects and
emphasizes the importance of climate change adaptation and addressing
funding challenges.
"Green Alternative” prepared recommendations
on air quality management in Tbilisi (GE)
"Green Alternative", a member of CAN EECCA
in Georgia, presented recommendations to the draft Tbilisi Agglomeration Air
Quality Management Plan for 2024-2026. The organization noted that an
effective plan can positively affect public health and improve the quality
of life and environment in the capital city. However, more efforts and
specific responsibilities are needed to address air pollution problems in
Tbilisi.
UNDP launches a project to develop a
national climate change adaptation plan in Kazakhstan
The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) in Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and
Natural Resources and supported by the Green Climate Fund, is launching a
project to integrate climate adaptation into the country's strategic
planning. This initiative will lead to the development of a National
Adaptation Plan, addressing the impacts of climate change across various
sectors such as forestry, water resources, agriculture, and civil
protection. The project emphasizes the need for coordination at all levels
and aims to attract both national and international funding to implement
effective adaptation measures.
Kyrgyzstan broke its own record for daily
electricity consumption (RU)
Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said that
due to hot weather, daily electricity consumption in Kyrgyzstan exceeded 40
million kilowatt-hours, which is much higher than the usual level of 32-35
million kilowatt-hours. He emphasized that such a high level of consumption
is observed for the first time and may lead to problems in winter due to
increased water consumption from reservoirs. The minister urged citizens to
save electricity to avoid possible difficulties in the future.
"Our Government Has Failed". Opinion of an
activist from Belarus
The High Level Political Forum, held
annually in July, discusses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Irina Ponedelnik, an expert from the Green Network, the forum
discussed problems related to financing and citizens' trust in their
governments to achieve the SDGs by 2030. She emphasizes that funding and
human rights issues are hindering the achievement of the SDGs in Belarus,
where environmental activists are persecuted and international commitments
are not met.
The authorities of Russia and Central Asian
countries are demonstratively fighting for the environment, as long as it
does not conflict with financial gain (RU)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has
approved a number of instructions aimed at improving the environmental
situation in the country, including improving energy efficiency and
developing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kazakhstan has
identified environmental problems such as mass deaths of crayfish and fish,
as well as fines for violations of environmental laws totaling 40 billion
tenge. Kyrgyzstan has begun to actively implement environmental measures,
including the installation of cameras to control trash emissions and
monitoring of water quality in Lake Issyk-Kul, despite ongoing construction
that threatens the environment.
Moldova is turning into a desert. How should
we act now when climate change is turning our lives upside down? (RO)
Moldova is facing severe climate change
impacts, with signs of desertification becoming increasingly evident.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for reforestation and sustainable resource
management to combat these challenges. The new Climate Action Law,
implemented in 2024, aims to reduce the country's vulnerability and align
its efforts with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Climate change and rising temperatures in
Tajikistan: a long-term outlook
An analysis of long-term data shows that
average annual temperatures across various regions of Tajikistan are
steadily increasing. According to climatologist Nomvar Kurbon, the country
needs to take urgent measures to adapt to climate change, including
sustainable land use and water resource management. Artificial intelligence
tools used by the CABAR.asia editorial team predict that by 2070, average
annual temperatures in key cities of Tajikistan will continue to rise.
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World Climate News
Oil companies sold the public on a fake
climate solution — and swindled taxpayers out of billions
A nearly three-year investigation by
Democrats in Congress into the fossil fuel industry concluded that major oil
companies have been misleading the public about climate change and their
climate solutions, such as biofuels and carbon capture, while continuing to
obstruct investigations by providing minimal and often irrelevant documents.
Internal documents and whistleblower testimonies revealed that these
companies were far less optimistic about the effectiveness of carbon capture
and storage (CCS) technology than their public statements suggested,
acknowledging its limited potential for significant emissions reduction.
Girls are more anxious about climate change
than boys, new research reveals
A study by University College London found
that girls are more responsive to climate change lessons but experience
higher levels of anxiety than boys, with 44% of girls worrying a lot or all
the time about the future compared to 27% of boys. The research suggests
that a holistic approach to climate education, which includes outdoor
learning and addresses health and well-being, could help mitigate this
anxiety. The study also highlights a lack of engagement with climate-focused
careers in schools, with only 31% of students seeing climate education as
translating into job opportunities, and recommends enhancing sustainability
education and green career provision.
Heathlands under siege: Europe's birds
struggle for places to eat and rest during long migrations
Heathlands across Europe are crucial for
migratory birds as stopover sites for rest, food, and breeding, but they are
increasingly threatened by prolonged heatwaves and rising temperatures,
leading to a 15% decrease in bird usage this year. These ecosystems, which
support species like the tree pipit, are facing significant degradation,
with their extent decreasing by 1.2% due to factors like afforestation,
fires, and urban sprawl exacerbated by climate change. Conservation efforts
are critical, as heathlands not only support biodiversity and migratory
birds but also act as vital carbon sinks and play a role in maintaining
ecological balance.
From climate change to landfill, AI promises
to solve Earth’s big environmental problems – but there’s a hitch
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed
various aspects of human life and holds potential for addressing
environmental challenges like climate change through energy efficiency,
urban infrastructure improvements, sustainable agriculture, and
environmental monitoring. However, AI also poses significant environmental
costs, such as high energy consumption during model training and usage,
substantial water requirements for cooling data centers, and broader impacts
like increased fossil fuel extraction and consumption driven by AI-enhanced
advertising.
Forests destroyed by wildfires emit carbon
long after the flames die – new study
Climate change is predicted to increase the
frequency and severity of wildfires in the boreal forest, a significant
global CO₂ sink, which can release large amounts of carbon into the
atmosphere and exacerbate climate change. Research in Sweden's boreal forest
shows that even after the wildfires have ceased, CO₂ emissions continue for
years, doubling the initial emissions from the fire itself, and it may take
over 40 years for the forest to recapture the released carbon. The study
highlights that post-fire forest management practices, such as salvage
logging, can hinder vegetation recovery and suggests that leaving surviving
trees standing may be more effective for restoring the forest's role as a
carbon sink.
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Opportunities
Virtual Reporting Fellowships to the UNCBD
(COP16) and UNFCCC (COP29)
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network is
offering virtual fellowships for journalists to cover the UN Biodiversity
(COP16) and Climate Change (COP29) Conferences. The program will be
conducted in English, and applications are open until August 15, 2024.
Selected participants will receive training, mentorship, and support to
report remotely on these significant global events.
Climate Journalism and Communications
Training in Almaty
n-ost and MediaNet invite journalists and
communicators from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to an English-language training
on climate journalism and communications, which will take place from
September 12 to 14, 2024, in Almaty. Participants selected through a
competitive process will have the opportunity to propose ideas for
interactive stories on climate change, which they will work on for 6 to 8
weeks following the training. Applications, including a working title and a
brief summary of the story, are accepted until August 13.
CAREC Gender Climate Awards 2024
The CAREC 2024 Gender Climate Awards
program, under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), is
now accepting nominations. This award aims to recognize individuals and
organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting gender
equality and climate resilience. Applications are open until August 15,
2024, and can be submitted in English, Russian, or Chinese.
Fall 2024 FXB Climate Advocates Program
The Fall 2024 FXB Climate Advocates Program
will run from September 7 to November 22, 2024, with all sessions held in
English via Zoom. The application deadline is August 16, 2024, and there are
125 spots available. Eligible candidates must be 25 years old or younger,
have an interest in climate action, and commit to a minimum of 3 hours per
week for the program.
Call for pitches: Climate Home News seeks
story ideas on clean energy supply chains
Climate Home News is extending its “Clean
Energy Frontier” series and is seeking pitches for stories focused on the
supply chains of clean energy technologies. They are looking for longform
stories (1,500-1,700 words) that explore the energy transition, its impact
on sustainable development, and its potential to create jobs while
addressing inequalities. Pitches should be submitted by journalists with at
least three years’ experience, and the stories should be accompanied by
visual elements.
Call for Applications — COP29 Youth
Delegates
The Global Centre for Climate Mobility is
inviting applications for the COP29 Youth Delegate Program. Young people
aged 18 to 30 from Africa, the Pacific, Asia, Latin America, and the
Caribbean can apply to become either Climate Mobility Youth Delegates or
Rising Nations Youth Delegates. Applications must be submitted by September
1, 2024, and the program will cover travel and accommodation expenses for
selected delegates to participate in COP29 in Baku from November 11 to 22,
2024.
Just Transition Forum Asia 2024
The Just Transition Forum Asia 2024 will
take place online from September 4 to 6, 2024, bringing together experts
from various sectors across Asia and beyond. This year's forum will focus on
"Emphasizing Finance for Loss and Damage in Just Transition," offering
insightful discussions, interactive panels, and networking opportunities.
Don't miss the chance to join this important event — register now and mark
your calendars!
16th European Youth Parliament for Water —
Water and Biodiversity
The 16th European Youth Parliament for Water
will take place in Hungary from October 20 to 26, 2024, focusing on the
theme "Water and Biodiversity." The organizers invite young people aged 18
to 30 with a strong interest in issues related to the water sector,
biodiversity, international relations, development studies, political
science, law, environmental science, engineering etc. to apply by August 31.
The program will be conducted in English, and selected participants will
receive support for international and local transportation, accommodation,
and meals.
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Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Shovi tragedy anniversary, Kyrgyzstan's
electricity appetite and a lot of opportunities to apply
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