China and Climate Change Governance: A Golden Opportunity

Climate change is a threat to all of humankind, yet there is still a leadership vacuum on climate governance. At the same time, the deepening climate crisis also presents a golden opportunity for Beijing to assume the role of a global leader. China has the capacity to do it in a way that the United States, Russia, India, and the European Union do not. Taking swift climate action is in Beijing’s interest. Greater contributions to climate governance will certainly help advance China’s long-term political interest in both raising its political status and demonstrating the claimed superiority of its system of government. Positive rhetoric and robust action by China are likely to have a disproportionate effect on the rest of the world. Policy adjustment and implementation by Beijing will bring benefits to the rest of the world. Climate policy options that Beijing may take in the future are not mutually exclusive. The policy shift on climate change could also be attached more firmly to the idea of sustainable development as a defining factor of China’s approach to tackling the climate change threat.

Toward a Taxonomy of Climate Emotions

There is a growing evidence that emotions shape people's reactions to the climate crisis in profound but complex ways. Climate emotions are related to resilience, climate action, and psychological well-being and health. However, there is currently a lack of research about the array of various climate emotions. There is also a need for more integration with general research about emotions. This article conducts a preliminary exploration of the taxonomy of climate emotions, based on literature reviews and philosophical discussion. The term emotion is used here in a broad sense, as is common in climate emotion research. Because of the urgency of the climate crisis and the lack of previous research, this kind of exploration is aimed to be helpful for both practical climate work and for future research which would include more systematic reviews of the topic. Research items which discuss at least five different climate emotions, based on empirical observations, are used as major sources and a table about them is provided. Climate emotions are discussed on the basis of interdisciplinary research. The article considers many aspects of the phenomena of climate anxiety and climate grief.

Small modular nuclear reactors are mostly bad policy

People asserting that SMRs are the primary or only answer to energy generation either don’t know what they are talking about, are actively dissembling or are intentionally delaying climate action.

Engaging healthcare providers and patients on climate action through physical, emotional and social wellness

According to the World Health Organization, the health challenges from climate change are many and varied including: Malnutrition due to lack of quality food access. Mental health challenges in addition to severe socioeconomic challenges, through the loss of homes, jobs and needed social connections due to extreme events. Acute illness and the risk of water-borne diseases associated with lack of access to clean water. The increased risk of vector-borne diseases with warmer temperatures. Chronic illnesses associated with heat stress and pollution. Death from cardiovascular and respiratory disease, particularly among vulnerable people as temperatures rise to extreme levels. Both healthcare providers and patients must be engaged on climate change and action. While several medical training institutions are exploring opportunities to embed climate change and health education into their curricula, of importance are the holistic strategies to engage patients on climate action. The challenges are complex, and the data is overwhelming. Patients may not fully comprehend the personal implications of climate change and as citizens, may not understand their role in climate action. We suggest through the creation of a sustainable living mindset based on wellness, it is possible for healthcare providers to create a personal and emotional connection to climate action. The results from workshops with older adults are shared in this paper, demonstrating how the link to physical, emotional and social wellness, can encourage behavior change with respect to dietary and consumption practices as well as increased connection to and protection of greenspaces for health and well-being.

China will maintain commitment to climate action

Significance The China-US joint declaration to enhance climate cooperation, made on the final day of the summit, gives cause for optimism, despite bilateral relations worsening overall. China’s low profile at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow last November should not be taken as indicating that the country is wavering on its commitment to climate action. Impacts There will be strong political pressure within China to meet climate targets ahead of time. China’s announcement that it will no longer finance overseas coal projects is a clear signal of support for the greening of BRI investments. Beijing will continue pushing for developed countries to meet climate finance commitments to developing countries.

The role of cities in the European Union climate action under the European Green Deal in the post-2020 funding period

<span>W grudniu 2019 r. Komisja Europejska przedstawiła Europejski Zielony Ład (EZŁ), który ma na celu doprowadzić Unię Europejską do neutralności klimatycznej do 2050 r. Reprezentując 80% populacji UE i będąc odpowiedzialnymi za 70% emisji gazów cieplarnianych i 75% zużycia energii, europejskie miasta pozostają najważniejszymi graczami dla implementacji ambitnej i wielowymiarowej transformacji Europy w kierunku pierwszego kontynentu neutralnego dla klimatu. Głównym celem niniejszego artykułu jest zbadanie roli europejskich obszarów miejskich w działaniach UE na rzecz klimatu w ramach EZŁ w okresie finansowania po 2020 r. W pierwszej części artykułu została przedstawiona rola miast w transformacji klimatycznej UE; w kolejnej części autor skupia się na znaczeniu wymiaru miejskiego w ramach EGD jako planu odbudowy po pandemii COVID-19; zaś ostatnia część przedstawia włączenie paradygmatu klimatycznego do wymiaru miejskiego w okresie finansowym po 2020 r. Wyniki tego badania wykazały, że oprócz znacznego postępu w integracji wymiaru miejskiego z EZŁ, tworzenia europejskich sieci miast oraz udziału w WRF na lata 2021-2027 i funduszu odbudowy NGEU, miasta nadal wymagają większego wsparcia ze strony UE w obszarze działań na rzecz klimatu.</span>