Green Energy Overtakes Fossil Fuels in Job CreationClean energy now provides more employment than the fossil fuel industry, reflecting the shift that efforts to tackle climate change and the techno-economics of the renewables revolution are having on the global jobs market, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Clean energy, which under IEA’s definition includes nuclear power, is now estimated to account for more than half the 65 million energy sector jobs globally. UN Leader Appeals for International Help on Behalf of Flood-Ravaged PakistanFrom Canada’s National Observer: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the world for help for cash-strapped Pakistan after arriving in the country Friday to see the climate-induced devastation from months of deadly record floods. The UN secretary-general didn’t mince his words: “There is a lot of attention on the war in Ukraine. But people tend to forget there is another war — the war we are waging on nature, and nature is striking back, and climate change is supercharging the destruction of our planet.” A coalition of Canadian NGOs is currently raising funds to assist with the relief effort in Pakistan, with the federal government matching donations up to a total of $3 million. Report: Global Fossil Fuel Subsidies Nearly Doubled in 2021A recent analysis from the OECD and IEA has shown that government subsidies to the fossil fuel industry increased dramatically in 2021. In the group of 51 national economies examined by the analysis, spending increased from $362.4 billion in 2020 to $697.2 billion in 2021. Canada’s fossil fuel industry continues to receive significant support from the federal government; the advocacy group Environmental Defence maintains a running list of subsidies to the oil and gas sector here at home. WHO, Global Health Groups Endorse Global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyThe World Health Organization, along with a group of 192 international health organizations, has endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which calls for global cooperation to end fossil fuel expansion, and ensure a timely and equitable transition to more sustainable systems. The groups’ letter cites the many adverse health effects of fossil fuels, including the dangers of air pollution, the increased spread of certain infectious diseases in a warming climate, and the risks to human health posed by extreme weather. Additional Dutch Funds to Help Salvage Oil Tanker off the Yemeni CoastOn Sept 17th, the Netherlands announced an additional €7.5 million for salvage operations to secure the FSO Safer, a floating oil storage vessel off the coast of Yemen. This will bridge the current funding gap, thereby allowing recovery efforts to begin. The salvage operation, which is being led by the United Nations, is aimed at preventing a major oil spill. Earlier this month, following pressure from advocacy groups, the Canadian government agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the rescue effort. |
