Today’s top five climate change stories chosen by RTCC
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Source: Flickr/the justified sinner
1 – EU to limit fluorinated gases
The EU has made the first tentative steps to phasing out HFCs, which are used in refrigeration and air conditioners, and have a global warming potential thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. The ‘F-gases’ replaced the ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons. Reuters reports the new rules will introduce a cap to achieve a 79% reduction by 2030.
2 – Fracking chemicals cause health problems
The chemicals used in fracking could cause infertility, cancer and birth defects, putting at risk those who live near to the drilling sites, a study by US scientists has warned. The Telegraph reports that the researchers found ground and surface water had been contaminated by hormone disrupting chemicals because of accidental spills.
3 – EPA climate change expert convicted of fraud
John Beale, an expert in climate change at the US Environmental Protection Agency, is awaiting sentencing for fraud, after he tricked the government out of $1million by pretending to be a CIA agent. The Guardian reports that the deception could complicate the EPA’s efforts to carry out Obama’s ambitious climate change agenda, as Republicans look for reasons to weaken their hold.
4 – Filipino farmers receive emergency seeds
One month after Typhoon Haiyan struck a devastating blow to the Philippines, farmers who lost essential crops and supplies are receiving the first wave of emergency seeds, restoring hope for a productive planting season and much-needed food for the coming year. The UN’s food and agriculture body has been delivering rice and corn seeds to rural communities in the Visayan island, allowing communities to start rebuilding their livelihoods.
5 – Climate change to increase water scarcity
The number of people at risk of absolute water scarcity will rise by 40% this century due to climate change, according to a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Bloomberg reports that ten in 100 will have less than 500 cubic metres of water available a year should the Earth warn by 3C.