*[Enwl-eng] 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter: The world is losing water and food
ecology
ecology at iephb.nw.ru
Wed May 21 17:49:57 MSK 2025
Climate Activism and Green Transition in EECCA
Climate Change and Energy News:
Weekly Digest by CAN EECCA
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Dear subscribers,
the Caspian Sea is shrinking, reservoirs are
drying up, glaciers are melting — water is becoming a strategic resource
across the region. Amid rising tariffs and climate vulnerability, Armenia
has launched its largest solar power plant, while Moldova and Kyrgyzstan
receive support for green projects. Governance remains a weak point: toxic
waste, lack of transparency, and disputes over resources persist. Globally,
sea levels are rising, food systems are at risk, and undisclosed chemicals
are being pumped into the ground. Still, there are signs of resilience —
nature-based solutions in cities and new opportunities for activists,
featured at the end of this issue.
We’re always open to hearing your thoughts,
ideas, or stories — don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
The CAN EECCA Team
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News from the EECCA Region
Cemetery of marine life: The Caspian Sea
ecosystem is collapsing under the pressure of global warming and pollution
In late April, carcasses of endangered seals
were once again found on the shores of the Caspian Sea — marking the second
mass die-off in the past six months. Scientists still disagree on the exact
causes: trawl fishing, pollution, disease, or the sea’s shrinking due to
climate change. Since 2020, the Caspian’s water level has been dropping by
about 30 centimeters each year. This impacts not only oil transport and
navigation but also puts fish stocks on the verge of collapse.
Environmentalists are sounding the alarm over an impending ecological
catastrophe. The Insider reports on what lies ahead for the Caspian and how
environmental activists are pressuring regional authorities to take real
action.
Kazakhstan: Aktobe’s main reservoir is
rapidly drying up
The largest reservoir in the Aktobe region
is shrinking fast. Local hunting and fishing communities believe sand mining
operations are contributing to the problem. In addition, residents report
that the Aktobe reservoir is being polluted by industrial waste.
Tajikistan: 1,700 delegates to gather in
Dushanbe to discuss glacier preservation
Tajikistan is preparing to host a high-level
international conference on glacier preservation, set to open in Dushanbe
next Thursday. Delegates from 55 countries and dozens of organizations — a
total of 1,700 participants — have confirmed their attendance. The
conference is part of the UN-declared International Year of Glaciers’
Preservation, an initiative originally proposed by President Emomali Rahmon
nearly three years ago.
Adaptive cities: how Kyiv is using the power
of nature (ua)
War hasn’t paused Ukraine’s climate
challenges: heatwaves, heavy rains, flooding, air pollution, and noise
continue to make daily life difficult. Yet cities like Kyiv are finding ways
to adapt — through nature-based solutions. These are simple, effective
methods that harness natural processes to address environmental problems.
Kyiv is already implementing such initiatives, and its experience could
serve as a model for other Ukrainian cities. This article explains how it
works — and why it matters.
Armenia launches its largest solar power
plant, Masrik-1 (en)
In just 11 months, nearly 115,000 panels
were installed over 130 hectares. The 62 MW Masrik-1 plant will generate
clean energy for more than 20,000 households per year and reduce CO₂
emissions by about 54,000 tons. The project strengthens Armenia’s energy
security and brings the country closer to its goal of producing 50% of its
electricity from renewables by 2030.
Kyrgyzstan: Osh to receive millions in loans
and grants from the EU and EBRD
The Osh city administration is planning to
implement a Green City Action Plan and launch a municipal project to
modernize its wastewater treatment facilities. Developed in cooperation with
the EBRD, the plan will include measures to ensure the city’s sustainable
development, increase climate resilience, and improve residents’ quality of
life.
Moldova: Over 9,000 energy-efficient
appliance vouchers distributed under the EcoVoucher Program
The EcoVoucher Program aims to support
socially vulnerable consumers by enabling them to purchase modern,
energy-efficient appliances. This helps reduce household energy bills while
contributing to environmental protection.
Belarus: Electricity prices continue to rise
despite launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (be)
In Q1 2025, the average price of electricity
in Belarus reached 27.34 rubles per 100 kWh — 8.9% higher than the same
period in 2024 (25.11), according to an analysis by Pozirk based on official
statistics. Despite government promises that the launch of the nuclear plant
would lower prices, costs have continued to rise since the first reactor
went online in 2020 and the second in 2023. Currently, the plant provides
about 40% of the country’s electricity needs.
Azerbaijan: Climate change, environmental
conditions, and challenges in the energy transition
Azerbaijan, whose economy heavily depends on
oil and gas, faces serious climate-related challenges such as declining
water resources and risks to agriculture and energy. Despite commitments
under the Paris Agreement, the country’s energy transition remains limited.
In 2024, renewables made up 10.6% of total energy, with only 2.9% from
solar, wind, and bioenergy. Most of the increase came from a new solar power
plant in Gobustan, but fossil fuel dependence remains strong.
Uzbekistan: Ministry of Ecology promises
public access to environmental monitoring data
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology will ensure
public access to a national environmental monitoring database. The system
will include data on trees and saplings, logging permits, outcomes of public
hearings, and environmental law violations. This is part of the country’s
Environmental Culture Development Concept, approved by President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev on May 15, and in effect through 2030.
Russia: Fuel oil scandal in the Don region —
toxic waste lies untreated for five months
For nearly five months, several thousand
tons of sand contaminated with fuel oil have remained at an unprepared waste
site near Semikarakorsk, following a spill in the Kerch Strait. Local
residents have blocked access to the site, prompting the Rostov region
governor to suspend disposal activities until a safer solution is found.
Despite this, the main contractor continues to accept new shipments of
hazardous waste. Environmentalists warn that if the fuel oil seeps into
groundwater, it could contaminate the Don River and contribute to a rise in
cancer cases in the region.
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World Climate and Energy News
Scientists warn: coastal areas remain at
risk even if climate targets are met
The world could face devastating sea level
rise of several meters over the coming centuries, even if the ambitious goal
of limiting global warming to 1.5°C is achieved, scientists warn. Nearly 200
countries have pledged to limit warming to 1.5°C, but researchers emphasize
that this level cannot be considered "safe" for coastal populations. Their
conclusion is based on recent data on how ice sheets are changing today—and
how they have changed in the past. Nevertheless, experts stress that every
fraction of a degree we can avoid will significantly reduce the risks.
Climate crisis intensifies Europe’s
‘chocolate crisis,’ researchers warn
According to a new report, cocoa is among
six key commodities imported to the EU that are heavily dependent on
countries vulnerable to climate threats. In 2023, more than two-thirds of
cocoa, coffee, soy, rice, wheat, and maize imported into the EU came from
countries poorly prepared for climate change, say analysts from UK-based
Foresight Transitions. For cocoa, wheat, and maize, over 66% of imports came
from countries with significantly degraded biodiversity. Scientists warn
that the loss of biodiversity further weakens agriculture and threatens the
resilience of the EU’s food systems.
US oil companies inject chemicals
underground without full disclosure — despite legal requirements
In Colorado, despite having some of the
strictest transparency laws in the US, oil and gas firms — including
Chevron — have injected at least 30 million pounds of chemicals into the
ground over the past 18 months without fully disclosing the contents. The
law, which came into effect in July 2023, requires companies to report all
chemicals used and bans toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” at drilling sites.
However, by May 1, disclosures had not been filed for 675 of the 1,114
fracking locations — more than 60% of all sites, according to the analysis.
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Opportunities
CAN EECCA launches mini-grants of up to
€2,000 for NDC 3.0, Just Transition, and Local Climate Solutions
The network is offering €2,000 each to four
member NGOs for projects that strengthen civil society’s role in updating
national climate commitments (NDC 3.0), support a just energy transition,
foster community-led initiatives, and address local climate challenges.
Eligible applicants must be registered organizations capable of cross-border
cooperation and completing the project by the end of 2025.
Deadline: June 8, 2025, at 23:59 (Bishkek
time)
Results announced: June 23, 2025
Funding provided by the Bread for the World
project.
Inquiries: gulnara at caneecca.org
International Photo Competition 2025 by the
Royal Meteorological Society (UK)
The competition aims to raise awareness of
climate and environmental issues through the power of visual storytelling.
Entries are accepted in four categories:
a.. Main Category
b.. Young Category (under 17)
c.. Mobile Category (photos taken on a
phone)
d.. Climate Award (for best climate-themed
image)
Open to participants of all ages and
nationalities.
Deadline: June 19, 2025
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We welcome your feedback at
can.eecca at gmail.com
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From: CAN EECCA <digest at caneecca.org>
Date: ср, 21 мая 2025 г. в 17:00
Subject: 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter: The world is losing water and food
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