COP28

In a world facing environmental challenges unprecedented in human history, it’s no surprise that eco-anxiety – a pervasive worry about the current and future state of our planet – has become an increasingly prevalent mental health issue. As people witness the devastating impacts of climate change, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed and disheartened. I happen to live in Phoenix, Arizona, a “heat apocalypse” city with dwindling water supplies, so I have some skin in the game. But amid doom-and-gloom predictions, there is hope. As a therapist and clinical social work professor, I have seen firsthand how paralyzing eco-anxiety can be, and I’m dedicated to finding solutions. Here are a few evidence-based tips to tackle your climate woes. What is eco-anxiety? Eco-anxiety is a broad term that encompasses dread about environmental issues like pollution and disposal of toxic waste, as well as climate...

The COP28 climate change conference called on all countries to move from fossil fuels in the global fight against climate change. The high-level climate summit was held amid extreme weather events linked to the climate crisis. The world witnessed the hottest summer on record, with the global average temperature reaching 16.77C (62.19F) from June to August. The hottest day in history was recorded on July 6, soaring to 17.23C. Rising temperatures linked to global warming spark deadly extreme weather events, with more than 11,000 lives lost in Libya’s recent flood disaster Israeli attacks on Gaza, causing civilian casualties, also unleashed an environmental and public health crisis with the use of banned munitions like white phosphorus. Anadolu covers key global environmental developments in 2023. El Nino adds to global warming effect The El Nino weather phenomenon took effect in May, leading to record temperatures worldwide. Between June and A...

The word “acceleration” is top of mind for many people as this year’s negotiations draw to a close at the 28th meeting of the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP28). With only a handful of years left to reach the net-zero agreements set out in the Paris Agreement of 2015, nations are racing to phase out unabated fossil fuel consumption and ramp up renewable energy sources. Stanford co-hosted an official side event with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and the Independent University, Bangladesh to probe a critical tension: nations around the world will need to balance “fast and fair” approaches as they rapidly transition to clean energy technology, safeguard the long-term health of ecosystems, and prepare for lasting community impacts from climate change. The event was one of several co-organized by a delegation of Stanford faculty, scholars, and studen...

The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, he spoke on the morning of December 2nd at United Nations Climate Change Conference, underway in Dubai (COP28).The Prime Minister claimed Italy's role in the decarbonisation process and in the effort to limit the increase in global temperature to within 1.5 °C.But he did so in the framework of a speech in which he intended to reiterate his approach to climate change and the energy transition:"pragmatic", "free from useless radicalism", "non-ideological". COP28, what happened to the climate crisis? These watchwords are the ones that have always characterized right-wing discourse on climate and the environment.If we evaluated them only for their literal meaning we would not be able to understand why they return so frequently.In fact, taken like this, who wouldn't make them their own?Who would not agree that the fight against global warming, or any other action in any other field, must be pragmatic?Who wouldn't claim n...

The weekly round-up on the climate crisis and data on carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Do citizens have the right to a healthy environment?In Montana yes, by Constitution.THE'article II of the State Constitution in fact it reads:“The State and every person must maintain and enhance a clean and healthy environment in Montana for present and future generations.” Sixteen young people, aged 5 to 23, supported Our Children's Trust, a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Eugene, Oregon, relied on this article to sue the state for putting the interests of the fossil fuel industry before it and violating constitutional law to a “clean and healthy environment”.If they win, the case could become a precedent in other states where similar lawsuits have been filed. The case “Held vs.Montana” is named after Rikki Held, the daughter of a farmer who saw her family's livestock killed due to drought and floods.Rikki was the only adult when...