Good morning,
Climate Catastrophe
We are in an ongoing worsening climate catastrophe, make no mistake. And despite all the nice talk at Glasgow, the location of the COP26 environmental conference, we are not at the point we can begin to think we have saved the planet.
This past summer was the hottest on record in Europe as an example, and we are 1 C above normal. If we don’t curb global warming we are on track to be 2 to 2.5 degrees above normal.
For the past 150 years, the expected frequency of a European summer as hot as 2021 was no higher than once every 10,000 years. But since the 1990s new research shows the expected frequency of record heat is occurring every three years. And soon that will happen every year.
Leaders including Britain’s Boris Johnson and U.S. President Biden are optimistic the climate conference will bring an agreement to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees above normal, but we are far from achieving that. But there are some positives like Brazils pledge to stop deforestation, and India’s promise on decarbonizing power by 2030.
China didn’t attend the conference. Biden accused China of failing to show global leadership. China will counter it’s a young economy and the U.S. has been the biggest polluter and can’t lecture others.
Russia, China and India, did not sign the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030.
But Russia, did promise to end deforestation by 2030.
In general I think there is a new awakening that we are not courting climate disaster, but it’s already unfolding with each new forest fire and new drought and new flood. But time is short.
Republican Victory
The Democrats are in trouble in the U.S., unable to pass legislation to provide pandemic relief, to head off inflation, and to deliver on many of President Biden’s campaign promises. And today they are feeling the consequences from disappointed voters.
The Republicans have narrowly defeated the Dems in the Virginia Governors race. Glenn Youngkin waged his campaign by distancing himself from former President Trump. It will be a model for the 2022 mid term elections in the U.S.
Youngkin campaigned on issues like opposing lengthy school closures in the pandemic which parents opposed. Youngkin also renounced the Jan 6 riot at the Capitol. Take note other Republicans!
But, Trump is lurking and will almost 100% try to run again in 2024. Democracy in America is in danger from that fact.
Other News…
-Health officials in Britain are concerned at the high rate of Covid and worry about what may happen over Christmas with the Deputy Chief Medical health Officer warning Covid levels are running this hot, this early in the season is a real concern.
-Atlanta is the World Series champions, routing the Houston Astros, 7-0, to win the series, 4 games to 2, for its first championship since 1995.
-In Australia the 18 day search for a 4yr old girl ends with success. She was being held in a locked room on a house and a man is now in police custody.
Have a good day everyone and share this letter with a friend.
Dana
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/02/cop26-boris-johnson-cautiously-optimistic-about-reaching-15c-deal
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/02/us/elections/youngkin-wins-virginia-governor.html
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/03/my-name-is-cleo-how-an-18-day-search-ended-with-an-australian-detective-holding-a-four-year-old-girl