| Climate Pact Nears a Tipping Point: The Paris Agreement reached a significant milestone as 31 more countries formally joined the agreement at the UN General Assembly. In total, 60 countries representing 48 percent of global emissions have joined; 55 countries accounting for 55 percent of the world emissions are required for the agreement to kick in. With countries accounting for 12.6 percent emissions committed to join soon, the agreement could enter into force by the end of this year — the speediest enforcement of an international agreement ever. (AP, Guardian, Washington Post $, New York Times $, The Hill, Politico Pro $, Bloomberg, Climate Home, Reuters, Mashable, Wall Street Journal $, Climate Home, Climate Central, Carbon Pulse $, LA Times $, Times of India, Gothamist)
Pres. Obama Declares Climate Change a Security Risk: President Obama signed a presidential memorandum establishing a policy that climate change must be considered while developing issues pertaining to national security. The White House directed 20 federal agencies and offices to collaborate under a Federal Climate and National Security Working Group and prepare a national security action plan in 90 days. A separate report released by the National Intelligence Council declared that climate change impacts pose a national security challenge for the country. (Washington Post $, AP, The Hill, Reuters, IB Times $, Bloomberg, USA Today, Mashable, VOA News, New Republic)
Ocean-Raising Ice Sheet Melting Faster: Greenland’s annual ice loss is 40 trillion pounds higher than previously measured and part of a long-term trend rather than a brief periodic loss, a new study published in Science Advances reveals. Using GPS data, the researchers found that between 2003 and 2013, about 590 trillion pounds of ice fell into the sea per year, more than seven percent higher than earlier estimates. Greenland ice melt is a significant contributor to rising sea level. (News: AP, Guardian, Washington Post $. Commentary: Nexus Media, Jeremy Deaton column) |
