Technology giant Salesforce is urging policymakers to impose environmental regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) due to its significant energy consumption and lack of emissions reporting. The company believes standardized measurement and reporting metrics are crucial to enhance transparency, drive efficiency, and support informed decision-making regarding AI’s impact on the environment.
The Biden administration’s American Climate Corps has launched with 2,000 paid positions available in 36 states and territories. The program aims to recruit and train 20,000 young people in skills needed to combat climate change and transition into clean energy trades or federal service. Positions include invasive plant manager, botany technician, and fisheries intern, with opportunities to work on forest monitoring, trail building, and other projects. Applications are now open, with the first participants expected to start this summer. The initiative is inspired by the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps and has been supported by progressive lawmakers, but falls short of their initial goal of 1.5 million workers.
Boston Globe Media and The Boston Globe are hosting their fourth annual Sustainability Week, bringing together experts from various sectors to address pressing climate change challenges. Virtual events and an in-person documentary screening will delve into topics such as clean energy transition, healthcare impacts, and sustainable solutions.
A report by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights the significant health risks posed by climate change to workers worldwide. Over two-thirds of the global workforce will face threats such as extreme heat, weather events, air pollution, and UV radiation in the near future.
A new study has found that more than two-thirds of electricity distribution circuits in California will require capacity upgrades by 2045 in order to meet the demands of electric vehicles (EVs). The study, published in Applied Energy, found that California must add 25 gigawatts to its capacity by that point — a shift that will cost between $6 billion and $20 billion. By modeling future distribution and capacity scenarios, the researchers determined that the first areas to experience overloads without an upgrade would be population-dense spots like the Bay Area.
Researchers at MIT have developed an innovative approach to measure the impact of global warming on everyday life. They have created a chart that shows how the number of ‘outdoor days’ will change in various destinations around the world by 2100. These ‘outdoor days’ refer to periods when temperatures are pleasant enough for most people to enjoy outdoor activities. The study found that tropical destinations will see the biggest changes, with some countries losing half their outdoor days. The Global South is projected to lose more outdoor days than the Global North, despite having emitted fewer greenhouse gases. The Balkans is likely to be one of the most heavily impacted regions in Europe, while countries in northern Europe are expected to gain outdoor days due to milder winters.
Four major climate change bills are awaiting action in the Connecticut legislature, but they face opposition and potential setbacks. One bill, focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has been stripped of its fiscal components, leaving it a shadow of its original form. Another bill, aimed at improving climate resilience, has drawn concerns over its scope and potential impacts. A third bill, promoting solar energy development, faces pushback over its cost and potential burdens on municipalities. Despite these setbacks, advocates for the bills argue that they are essential for addressing the state’s climate challenges and creating jobs.
Environmental lawsuits are on the rise, with ordinary people around the world taking on oil and gas companies. From an Iraqi man suing BP over his son’s death to young activists filing a climate lawsuit in the US, these cases are setting important precedents and highlighting the devastating impact of oil and gas production on human health and the environment. One study found that children born to mothers living near oil and gas developments are up to 70% more likely to be born with congenital heart defects, and researchers have also found an increased risk of cancer among workers and residents living near oil facilities.
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has stated that he would resign if party members vote to leave the Bute House Agreement with the SNP. Despite acknowledging the concerns of some party members regarding the government’s climate target and decision on puberty blockers, Harvie believes that the Greens should remain in the powersharing deal. Harvie responded to a no confidence motion by the Alba Party’s Ash Regan by highlighting the rights of young transgender people and criticizing the hostile environment towards them. The Scottish Green Party is expected to hold an extraordinary general meeting soon to vote on their stance in the agreement.
Mumbai’s respite from humid conditions is short-lived, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts another surge in temperatures to over 37 degrees Celsius this weekend. The city is likely to witness a gradual increase in temperatures from Saturday, potentially reaching 39 degrees Celsius by Monday, close to another heatwave. Despite these extreme conditions, no heatwave warning has been issued yet by IMD, as a heatwave alert is triggered only when temperatures exceed 37 degrees for two consecutive days in coastal areas or 40 degrees in interior regions. This spike follows a record-breaking heatwave last week, where temperatures hit 39.7 degrees on April 16, marking the hottest April day in Mumbai in over a decade.
