G7 Environment Ministers Issue Bold and Broad Declaration Ahead of Leaders Meeting

G7 Environment Ministers Issue Bold and Broad Declaration Ahead of Leaders Meeting

On Friday, the G7 Environment Ministers issued a long and detailed statement that was loaded with promises and high ambition.  The most headline-grabbing of the pledges was around the decision to end direct financial support for new coal-fired plants in developing countries going forward.

Why This Matters:  Parts of the communique seemed directed toward the Chinese (not a G7 member).  Special Envoy Kerry immediately called on the G20 countries to agree to the same pledges.

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Zombie Fires In the Arctic and Brazil’s Big Burn

Zombie Fires In the Arctic and Brazil’s Big Burn

The World Resources Institute reported this week that nearly 30 million acres of forest were destroyed globally in 2019, an increase of 3% over 2018, with the heaviest losses in the tropics.  How much forest is that?  It’s a football field every 6 seconds.

Why This Matters:  Our best natural defense against climate change is holding on to mature forests — and it is also one of the key ways to defend against pandemics.

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