*[Enwl-eng] 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: Fight for Kumisi lake, nuclear struggles and Kazakhstan’s plans on oil
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Mon Mar 4 18:11:29 MSK 2024
CAN EECCA ENGLISH DIGEST
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Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Digest of news on climate change, energy
issues
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Regional Climate News
Fight for Kumisi Lake in Georgia (geor)
The guardians of Lake Kumisi, represented by
the movement "Akhali Kumisi - Eco-Village in Georgia", are fighting for its
preservation, but the inaction of state authorities threatens both the
biodiversity of the lake and the future of the village. The population of
Novy Kumisi seeks help from the regional office of the Department of
Environmental Supervision, demanding solutions to the problems of lowering
the water level and pollution of the lake. In parallel, the residents face
the problem of drinking water, but the state's efforts in the direction of
eliminating the problems prove insufficient.
Kyrgyzstan Loses Glaciers and Faces Food
Insecurity Risks
Over the past 70 years, glacier area in
Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16%, which threatens food security at both
regional and local levels. Lack of irrigation water leads to a significant
reduction in agricultural yields, resulting in the loss of up to 250
thousand tons of grain per year. Shrinking glaciers threaten drought in the
region, and reconstruction of the irrigation system becomes a necessary
measure to combat water losses and ensure food security.
Land degradation in Khatlon province poses
threats to the environment
The problem of agricultural land degradation
in agrarian areas of Tajikistan is becoming more and more acute, leading to
negative consequences for the environment. In Khatlon region, dozens of
hectares of land have fallen out of agricultural use due to salinization,
desiccation and lack of irrigation water. Farmers are experiencing serious
losses due to their inability to grow crops, and experts attribute the
degradation of agricultural land to climate change and improper irrigation
methods.
What is the government hiding in the final
report on the Shovi tragedy?
The National Environmental Protection Agency
is trying to avoid responsibility for the Chauvy tragedy by hiding important
data and assessments. The agency's report does not mention Swiss experts'
assessments of an alarm system capable of preventing the disaster, as well
as recent events in Kazbegi, where the alarm system is already in operation.
The contradictions in the conclusions and the lack of answers to important
questions have drawn criticism from the public and the media.
Circular Economy. Are there prospects for
Belarus?
In 2022, the World Bank emphasized the
unsustainability of the traditional linear economy, which leads to resource
overconsumption and pollution. According to the data, modern lifestyles
require 60% more resources than the Earth can provide. The circular economy,
on the contrary, proposes to use resources more efficiently, reducing waste
and greenhouse gas emissions. In Belarus, there is also interest in the
transition to the circular economy, but lack of awareness, technology and
information about opportunities may be obstacles.
Modernising Kazakhstan’s coal-dependent
power sector through renewables
A study focusing on Kazakhstan's energy
potential highlights its capacity for expanding solar and wind energy due to
its vast territory. By mid-2023, the country had reached a 5% share of
variable renewable generation (vRES) in its energy mix, aiming to increase
this to 15% by 2030, with possibilities for even higher shares. The research
emphasizes pathways to achieve these goals, minimizing costs, ensuring
security of supply, and transitioning away from carbon-intensive coal-fired
power generation, thereby contributing significantly to Kazakhstan's climate
objectives. Additionally, the study underscores the broader benefits and
opportunities for the energy sector and economy while addressing challenges
such as grid integration, transformation of combined heat and power systems,
and social implications of coal usage.
The Prague Civil Society Centre Fellowship
Programme
The Prague Civil Society Centre invites
civil society leaders, journalists and activists from Central Asia and
Eastern Europe to participate in a three-month fellowship program in Prague.
Participants will be able to reboot, work on their projects and exchange
experiences. The program provides support in the form of transportation
costs, health insurance, accommodation and per diem, as well as visa
assistance. The deadline for applications is March 25, 2024, and the
programs will be held in three time slots from 2024 to 2025.
Swathes of Tajikistan crippled by
unexplained power outage
On March 1, Tajikistan experienced
widespread electricity outages lasting approximately three hours, believed
to be caused by a significant technical malfunction. Dushanbe residents
faced disruptions in heating and hot water supply during a period of
unseasonably cold weather, exacerbated by increased reliance on electric
heaters. The outage, possibly linked to an incident at the Nurek
hydroelectric power plant, affected communication services and essential
utilities, highlighting the country's vulnerability to power disruptions,
although some regions, like Bokhtar and the Pamirs, remained unaffected.
Kazakhstan plans to expand its oil potential
Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the chairman of
KazMunayGas (KMG), discussed plans to expand Kazakhstan's oil potential
through exploration of new fields, noting a low exploration rate of just
24%. KMG is currently focusing on exploration activities in various regions,
including seismic research and drilling of exploration wells. Despite
challenges such as declining production in existing fields and difficulties
in offshore exploration, KMG remains optimistic about future prospects and
is implementing strategies to boost production, including rehabilitation
projects and the development of alternative energy sources like wind and
solar power.
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World Climate News
World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2023
The World Nuclear Industry Status Report
2023 (WNISR2023) offers a comprehensive analysis of the global nuclear
industry, covering operational data, new construction, and Small Modular
Reactor (SMR) development. Special focus chapters delve into nuclear
economics, U.S. policy, South Africa's struggling nuclear program, Germany's
phased-out fleet, France's nuclear challenges, Russia's industry, and the
UK's operational and decommissioning issues. Additionally, the report
examines ongoing challenges at Fukushima, decommissioning efforts worldwide,
and the growing disparity between nuclear and renewable energy deployment,
drawing on contributions from interdisciplinary experts and top
institutions.
Colombia’s Confrontational Climate Policy
Colombia, once reliant on oil exports, is
transitioning towards environmental leadership, as demonstrated by its
hosting of the upcoming United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali.
President Gustavo Petro's administration is driving initiatives to green the
economy, including halting new oil exploration contracts and intensifying
efforts to combat deforestation in the Amazon. Colombia's proactive stance
on climate issues, such as joining calls for a fossil fuel nonproliferation
treaty, is reshaping regional dynamics and positioning the country as a key
player in global environmental diplomacy. However, challenges remain,
including potential economic repercussions and the need to sustain efforts
amid complex geopolitical and domestic factors.
‘Revolutionary’: EU Parliament votes to
criminalise most serious cases of ecosystem destruction
The European Union has passed a
groundbreaking directive to criminalize severe environmental damage,
comparable to ecocide, with harsh penalties including prison sentences for
individuals and significant fines for companies. The directive aims to
address the growing environmental crimes in Europe, such as habitat loss and
illegal logging, and represents a significant step towards environmental
protection and accountability. While hailed as revolutionary, some experts
believe that more could have been done, highlighting the need for continued
vigilance and potential expansion of the directive's scope beyond EU
borders.
Climate Vulnerable Nations Reject US-led
Push for Solar Geoengineering at UNEA-6
During the sixth United Nations Environment
Assembly (UNEA-6), climate-vulnerable states successfully blocked efforts to
legitimize solar geoengineering technologies, a move welcomed by the Center
for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Countries like Switzerland,
Monaco, Georgia, and Israel's attempts to establish an Expert Scientific
Group on solar geoengineering were halted due to lack of consensus among
Member States. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Japan also faced strong
opposition from African, Pacific, and Latin American countries in their
attempts to undermine existing UN moratoria on Solar Radiation Modification
(SRM).
Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day – United
States must comply with Marshall Islands demands for recognition and nuclear
justice
Seventy years ago, the Marshall Islands
experienced the devastating Castle Bravo nuclear test, resulting in
widespread radioactive contamination and lasting health impacts on the local
population. Despite decades of suffering and displacement, the victims have
yet to receive full justice, medical care, or reparations. The Marshall
Islands government continues to seek compensation from the U.S.,
highlighting the ongoing struggle for nuclear justice. Greenpeace stands in
solidarity with the affected communities, advocating for accountability and
raising awareness about the lasting dangers of nuclear testing.
How plastic pollution is accelerating the
triple planetary crisis
The worsening climate crisis, exemplified by
events like severe tropical cyclone Freddy, underscores the urgency of
addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution, and
biodiversity loss. Plastic production, fueled by fossil fuels, exacerbates
these crises by emitting greenhouse gases and harming communities,
particularly in Africa, already vulnerable to climate impacts. Despite the
health risks and environmental damage associated with plastics, major
corporations, supported by oil-producing countries, hinder efforts to
address the issue.
Clean energy tech slowed down growth of
global carbon emissions in 2023, IEA says
Clean energy technology played a crucial
role in slowing the growth of global carbon emissions in 2023, despite
increased energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Without advancements in clean energy, emissions over the past five years
would have been significantly higher, emphasizing the importance of
transitioning away from fossil fuels. While emissions still reached a record
high in 2023, the expansion of solar, wind, and nuclear power contributed to
a "structural slowdown" in energy-related emissions, highlighting the
potential for a peak in carbon emissions as clean energy adoption
accelerates globally.
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Subject: 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: Fight for Kumisi lake, nuclear
struggles and Kazakhstan’s plans on oil
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