Greenspiration News & Events: Renewables sky-rocket

Mon Jan 29 10:25:06 EST 2024

Renewable energy increased globally by 50% in 2023

The world is experiencing the fastest expansion of renewable energy in three decades. Solar energy accounted for three-quarters of the new capacity. The price of solar panels dropped by nearly 50% compared to 2022.

https://www.warpnews.org/energy/renewable-energy-increased-globally-by-50-percent-during-2023/

Attacks on Renewable Energy Are Proliferating 

Videos denying human-made climate change are declining, while those going after climate solutions are ramping up.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-16/youtube-s-climate-denial-problem-is-growing-and-evolving

10 charts that sum up 2023’s clean energy progress

The shift to clean energy is underway. These charts show how, where — and how fast — that transition is happening.

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/10-charts-that-sum-up-2023s-clean-energy-progress 

Canadian tar sands pollution is up to 6,300% higher than reported, study finds 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/25/canadian-tar-sands-pollution-is-up-to-6300-higher-than-reported-study-finds

A freeze for LNG

“Biden is halting the biggest fossil fuel expansion on Earth,” McKibben wrote. In Canada, climate advocates seized the moment to call for provincial governments and the feds to abandon plans for fracked gas exports.

https://mailchi.mp/nationalobserver/n5z66jg3wp

See the Win, Take the Win

The Biden administration’s decision to apply a climate test to a massive LNG terminal is a landmark win, and not the only good news we’ve seen this month. Now let's build on that momentum. Lots of great links embedded within.

https://energymixweekender.substack.com/p/see-the-win-take-the-win?r=84z07

What Canada can learn from Norway, the EV capital of the world

The nordic country aims to phase out gas vehicle sales by next year, and observers say it's well on its way

https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/canada-norway-evs-1.7092003

UN expert condemns UK crackdown on environmental protest

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/23/un-expert-condemns-uk-crackdown-on-environmental-protest   

Nuclear hype in meltdown

The nuclear power ‘renaissance’ is going in reverse – shrinking to below 10% of global electricity generation last year while renewables enjoyed record growth for the 22nd consecutive year and now accounts for more than 30%.

https://theecologist.org/2024/jan/23/nuclear-hype-meltdown 

Nuclear waste safety top of mind for politicians after nuke waste dump approved NW of Ottawa

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/01/22/news/nuclear-waste-safety-top-mind-politicians-after-ontario-disposal-site

Big costs sink flagship nuclear project

And they’ll sink future small modular reactor projects too

https://beyondnuclearinternational.org/2024/01/21/big-costs-sink-flagship-nuclear-project/

B.C., Quebec Unveil Major Renewable Power Expansions While Ontario opts for Polluting Gas and High-cost Nuclear 

https://www.theenergymix.com/b-c-quebec-unveil-major-clean-power-expansions-while-ontario-lags/

Ontario’s high-cost and high-emissions approach to electricity

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/ontario-s-high-cost-and-high-emissions-approach-to-electricity/article_a1d41e62-b6f3-11ee-ae2b-6b2421e98d59.html  

Let's TRIPLE Solar and Wind in Ontario - send your message here

https://www.cleanairalliance.org/triple/

Calculate the savings from electrifying your home

Switching to an EV, heat pump, heat pump water heater and induction stove could cut your carbon emission by more than 80% and save you $5,000 per year.

https://www.corporateknights.com/issues/2023-06-best-50-issue/calculate-the-savings-from-electrifying-your-home/ 

People who commute by bike have:

- a 52% lower risk of death from heart disease;

- a 46% lower risk of developing heart disease;

- a 40% lower risk of death from cancer

- a 45% lower risk of developing cancer

https://twitter.com/brenttoderian/status/1750021857078903178

What happens when a school bans smartphones? A complete transformation

Teachers say mobile phones make their lives a living hell – so one Massachusetts school barred them

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/jan/17/cellphone-smartphone-bans-schools 

Demand a Moratorium on Gravel Mining in Ontario

https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/petition 

Save Ontario's Science Centre

https://act.newmode.net/action/evidence-democracy/save-ontarios-science-centre

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Seizing Russia’s Frozen Assets to Pay for Ukraine's Reconstruction Is the Right Move

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/seizing-russia-foreign-assets-could-help-fund-ukraine-reconstruction-by-joseph-e-stiglitz-and-andrew-kosenko-2024-01  

Where are the children?

20,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped and deported through Russia to Belarus for re-education and military training. 

https://twitter.com/United24media/status/1749861322773188731

Perspectives on Russian imperialism

War, fascization, and resistance

https://www.tempestmag.org/2024/01/perspectives-on-russian-imperialism/ 

‘Ukraine fatigue’: why I’m fighting to stop the world forgetting us

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/ukraine-fatigue-why-im-fighting-to-stop-the-world-forgetting-us

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Toronto City Budget is Underway

Toronto Climate Action Network (TCAN) municipal working group is urging all Torontonians to contact your Councillor to support the proposed budget increase of 10.5% (9% property tax, 1.5% city building fund). Many Councillors are hearing from residents opposed to the increase, so it's important that they hear from those who support it -- to fund social services such as shelters and affordable housing, transit and subway cars, building retrofit programs, and for implementing the Net Zero by 2040 climate action plan.  

Find your councillor's contact info here - please call.

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/council/members-of-council/

Send this TEA (Toronto Environmental Alliance) action letter with a simple click.

https://www.torontoenvironment.org/budget_action_2024  

TEA'S budget blog is here.

https://www.torontoenvironment.org/2024_budget_review_on_environment_funding

Find out more here in this webinar recording: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbCcMcmqnQ

Final budget vote will take place Feb 14.

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EVENTS

Good Medicine for Poor Healthcare

Mon. Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET

Clogged ERs, inadequate home care, understaffed nursing homes, operations available in public hospitals are being offered at private clinics - at a higher cost to taxpayers! What’s the prescription for good healthcare in Ontario? An on-line panel/public discussion with audience questions brought to you by the Toronto-Danforth NDP, Beaches-East York NDP, Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP and Cinema Politica Danforth.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEufuChpjotH9DhSR_-1KxcxbwH1ygq3Cbw#/registration 

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Uranium Mining in Northern Saskatchewan―What You Need To Know

Tues. Jan. 30, 7 p.m. MT

Indigenous Resistance to Uranium Mining―Everyone is welcome to attend this webinar series that will help you know more about what is happening with uranium mining in Northern Saskatchewan. Uranium mining lobbyists and governments have been busy, passing industry-favourable laws that will further degrade and threaten freshwater systems already desperately overburdened by farming and mining. Livestreamed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Ye4mpSO8w 

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Climate Adaptation and the Benefits of Early Action

Tues. Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET

Local governments are already experiencing increasing and unforeseen costs across natural, social, and economic systems as a result of climate change. Left unaddressed, the costs of inaction on climate change are expected to skyrocket, constraining the budgets and capacities of local governments. Understanding these costs can support local governments in making a business case for climate adaptation and inform investments in the systems and assets that are most at risk.

https://abmunis-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctdeqrqjwuE9XcKJa0K7EZ_SRSSQnX743V#/registration

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Just Transition Guide Fireside Chat with David Suzuki & Melina Laboucan-Massimo

Wed. Jan. 31, 7 p.m. ET

This virtual event follows November’s official launch of the "Just Transition Guide,” a project led by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, in collaboration with Sacred Earth Solar, Indigenous Climate Action, the David Suzuki Foundation, Power to the People and RealWorld Media. The guide explores Indigenous-led pathways toward equitable climate solutions and resiliency in the climate crisis. View the full guide here:

https://sacredearth.solar/just-transition-guide 

Register for the Fireside Chat here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqc-qsqTMpGdCPr4em9DT9TW_laSic2ilW#/registration 

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Climate in Court: How and why in 2023 the German Government lost - twice, and what happens next

Thurs. Feb. 1, noon - 1:30 pm ET

Two climate-related court decisions in late 2023 seemed to squeeze the German government from two sides: One was brought by NGOs and climate activists who sued the government for not following its 2021 climate protection law. The other lawsuit was brought by the opposition against the government’s decision to use billions of Euros left over in a special Covid-19-relief fund for climate measures instead. In both cases the courts ruled against the government. As scientists confirm that 2023 was the hottest year on record, and possibly the warmest in over 100,000 years, join Christiane Gerstetter from ClientEarth to learn more about these court decisions and what this may mean for climate protection in Germany and beyond.

https://www.brandeis.edu/cges/news-events/spring-2024/240201-gerstetter.html 

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25 Years of the Bolivarian Revolution (Venezuela)

Sun. Feb. 4, noon ET

Twenty-five years ago the Bolivarian revolution, one of the most monumental events of the century, brought the working class to power in Venezuela. Since its inception, the US empire has used all the weaponry in its imperialist toolbox in attempting to overthrow the popular revolution. From strict sanction regimes to the kidnapping of the revolution’s leader, Hugo Chávez, the Chavistas have been able to sustain power in the hands of the people, fighting off the encroaching interests of the transnational imperialist bourgeoisie and its anti-patriotic bourgeois friends within Venezuela. Today we convene with a group of scholars and organizers, both within and outside of the Chavista process, to discuss the achievements and future of the Bolivarian revolution. 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd--vrj0qE9K0qeWvrYysgGnNEqVnompk#/registration

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Transforming Ontario’s Electricity Sector II – February 25-26, 2024

All Ontarians are invited to join in a lobby day to promote renewables and conservation, and against gas plant expansion, held Feb 25 - 26.

Sun. Feb. 25 evening, in person training

Mon. Feb. 26, breakfast at Queens Park

Register here: https://canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/ontario-lobby-preparations-and-breakfast-with-our-mpps/ 

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For the best Canadian climate and energy news, visit and subscribe to the Energy Mix newsletter.

http://theenergymix.com/  

Democracy Now Daily Show - global peace, justice and enviro news

https://www.democracynow.org/  

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Submissions, subscribes, unsubscribes, and comments: <angela at cleanairalliance.org>

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