Icarus Complex Magazine

Last weeks plastic treaty failed to reach any international agreements, largely due to disagreements between countries in favour of phasing out plastic, and oil producing nations. Plastics are mostly made from petroleum. Oil producing nations therefore have a vested interest in preventing the phasing out of plastics. Instead, these nations were focused on recycling, as opposed to their phasing out. The process and result of this treaty closely resembles some of the traits of ineffectiveness at the recent COP talks in Baku. Whether it is climate change or plastics, do conflicts of interest and profit motives render international talks of this kind ineffective? Afsaneh Angelina Rafii

What happened at COP29 in Baku? See below to find out about key takeaways from this years somewhat chaotic COP. Following this COP, the question still remains, are these conferences effective in dealing with the scale and pace of the climate crisis? For full articles: Matt McGrath, BBC News https://lnkd.in/edjyGTuv Fiona Harvey, The Guardian https://lnkd.in/gkvxfMXb Aljazeera Media Initiatives | المبادرات الإعلامية https://lnkd.in/eT6gxZ8x Katy Daigle, Reuters https://lnkd.in/dw9vcxuD Lucia Green-Weiskel, The Conversation UK https://lnkd.in/eD8rk89s Kenza Bryan, Financial Times https://lnkd.in/eRMN7fkV Carbon Brief https://lnkd.in/ehwcBMXq Afsaneh Angelina Rafii

Sharing some of my favourite photos from a recent photo story I did for the Icarus Complex Magazine, in collaboration with Laura Moreno. I really wanted to capture the beauty, biodiversity and atmosphere of the Barroso, especially in the context of lithium mining and the destruction it would mean for the whole region. Find the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gA7S7HFS

What strategies are being adopted in Southern Europe to adapt to challenges posed by climate change? See below to find out about strategies across Spain, Italy and Portugal, in agriculture, urban spaces, and increased renewable energy contribution. For full articles, please see: Forbes by Indrabati Lahiri: https://lnkd.in/eZiBRuEi ING by Thijs Geijer https://lnkd.in/ejBnxT4E Afsaneh Angelina Rafii

Pakistan’s smog situation goes from bad to worse as air pollution hits a new record in Lahore.

Are climate talks still fit for purpose? At COP29, senior Azerbaijani officials have been found to use the talks as opportunities to discuss oil and gas deals. Experts, including former UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres and former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, have authored a letter outlining that changes that must be made to climate talks. The letter outlines: - Despite progress being made since the Paris agreement, the slow pace of the COP process is 'no longer fit for purpose', to deal with the speed and scale of the climate crisis, 'to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity'. Despite decades of progress, action has ultimately been slow. Following last year's Dubai COP, officials agreed on transitioning away from fossil fuels. Since then, global consumption of warming gases have been up 1%, despite needing to fall by 42% to reach climate targets. (BBC News) - The letter outlined that, countries should not host talks if NOT in favour of phasing out fossil fuels. In opening speech at COP29, Azerbaijani's president told world leaders at climate summit that natural gas was a 'gift from God'. ABC News, encapsulated the situation; 'you could be forgiven for thinking that hosting the world's climate conference in a petrostate, boosting it's oil and gas production has the makings of a satire, but here it is, COP29'. Full BBC article: https://lnkd.in/eNswCATd Afsaneh Angelina Rafii

📣 🗣 Call for Letters-to-the-Editor: Perspectives on COP29 We want to hear your thoughts on the opportunities and challenges surrounding this landmark event. Whether you’re focused on climate action, sustainability, or global collaboration, your insights matter. Fill out our questionnaire --> https://lnkd.in/dPY8pNnc

This years COP29, characterised as the finance COP has been overshadowed by the Trump win and the nature of COP29's host, petrostate, Azerbaijan. This is in the backdrop of already reaching 1.5 degrees warming globally, which scientists have warned that we must not exceed. Here is what experts in the news have been saying in response to the Trump win: - John Podesta, US climate envoy: 'In January we're going to inaugurate a president whose relationship with climate change is captured by the words hoax'. - The Trump win will create a large amount of uncertainty and set backs at COP29 (David Gelles). - Trump will likely re-exit the Paris agreement (CBS), and potentially the IPCC. - David Schecter, National Environmental Correspondent at CBS News and Stations, took a positive stance suggesting that the Trump win will open up for other nations to become net zero leaders, such as China. 40% of China's GDP is related to the green economy. China is however also the worlds largest consumer of coal. - Schecter also suggested that climate change isn't just a US problem, and that nations are unlikely to follow suit in exiting climate agreements. He noted however, that the US not being there will likely create a large amount of uncertainty related to climate agreements. - Professor Mark Howden, climatologist on CNA stated the consequences of the Trump win. Pulling out of agreements may slowdown climate diplomacy elsewhere, not to mention slowing emission reductions in the US. He also warned of a potential green light to nations on the fence about curbing emissions to withdraw from agreements. - Lídia Pereira, Member of European Parliament, was hopeful that the private sector for clean tech in the US will be responsive to decarbonisation demands despite the election outcome. - Michael Bloss, Member of European Parliament, urged that Europe must step up on climate leadership in response, and that Europe must agree on 90% emissions reductions by 2040.

Icarus Complex Magazine's issue 6 is out! The main feature dives into action taken against the devastating impacts and environmental injustices, as a result of petrochemical organisations and plastics manufacturing. "A recent report published by The Johns Hopkins University found that in parts of Louisiana, ethylene oxide occurs at levels 1,000 times higher than what’s considered safe. “We are really sick. Our community is suffering from high cancer rates, high rates of dementia, asthma,”. Banner says." In Wallace, Louisiana an industrial 85 mile stretch of land home to mainly petrochemical plants, is known as Cancer Alley. Some local populations face cancer risks 50x higher than the national average, associated with petrochemical pollution exposure. The Banners are fighting against constant pushes to expand petrochemical industrial plants. The Descendants Project recent work includes a lawsuit against St John the baptist parish, to stop the reduction of a 600m construction distance to 9m. Decreasing the buffer zone would have enabled plants to build right next to homes. With the support of Mellon Foundation they have been able to buy and block off land, which would otherwise be strategic industrial sites. To read this eye opening article click the link below: https://lnkd.in/exHREFjT With special thanks to: Jo Banner, M.A. Emma Bryce Davis Allen Afsaneh Angelina Rafii

See below for some our The Earthshot Prize 2024 finalist favourites: - Build up Nepal, founded by Björn Söderberg - Amazon Sacred Headwaters, founded by Uyunkar Domingo Peas - MiAlgae, founded by Douglas Martin - MYCL | Mycotech Lab, founded by Adi Reza 🍄 - NatureMetrics, founded by Dr Kat Bruce - Keep IT Cool | Deliver while still fresh, founded by Francis N. Afsaneh Angelina Rafii