#biodviersity

[anarchywoofwoof]

yesterday, november 18 2023 was the first day in recorded history where the global 2m surface temperature exceeded 2 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 baseline.

the 1850-1900 period serves as a baseline for the intergovernmental panel on climate change (ipcc) primarily because it represents the pre-industrial era, just before the widespread industrialization that began in the late 19th century.

this era is important for understanding the effects of climate change because it provides a relatively stable reference point for the earth's climate system before human activities - particularly the burning of fossil fuels - began to significantly alter the composition of earth's atmosphere. therefore, this period offers some of the earliest reliable meteorological data, allowing scientists to establish a baseline climate against which current and future changes can be compared.

the last time it was close to this hot was +1.99°C above the baseline, on Feb. 28, 2016 during hottest part of El Nino

yesterday, the value was +2.01°C before the hottest part of El Nino.

the 2°C threshold is widely regarded as a critical limit beyond which climate change impacts become increasingly severe and potentially irreversible. this includes increasing extreme weather events, over time a 40~ foot sea-level rise, and massive loss of biodiversity. some of which we are seeing take place before our eyes right now, every single day. all of these headlines are from this year alone:

Ocean scientists concerned over uptick of whale deaths on Northeast coasts

Penguin Chicks Are Dying Off as Antarctic Sea Ice Disappears

More than 10 billion snow crabs starved to death off the coast of Alaska. But why?

Texas oysters in dire straits

Tens of Thousands of Dead Fish Wash Ashore on Gulf Coast in Texas

Drone footage shows millions of dead fish blanket river

Mass death of Amazonian dolphins prompts fears for vulnerable species

‘Crisis period': Dead or dying marine mammals increasingly washing up on SoCal beaches

bear in mind that this is because we're already seeing a near-average of 1.5°c warming this year. this was not expected until the year 2050. like.. it's happening now.

the 1.5°c warming threshold, which is often discussed alongside the 2°c threshold, holds its own significance in the context of climate change and the efforts to mitigate its impacts. this threshold was brought into prominence by the paris agreement, which aimed to limit global warming to well below 2°c, preferably to 1.5°c, compared to pre-industrial levels.

we have effectively blown past this barricade and are barreling toward another. the capitalist train is leaving the tracks and taking us with it.

[lifebuoyjournals]

Another case of lofty goals and lack of tangible support

At COP15 last year, countries agreed to a biodiversity deal that includes protecting and restoring 30% of the world's land and seas by 2030. As part of the deal, it was agreed that wealthy nations will contribute US$30bil/year to ensure that low to middle income countries (LMICs) are also able to achieve the target.

During COP15, LMICs that are biodiversity-rich called for a new independent fund, because the current funding manager, called Global Environment Facility (GEF), is too slow to distribute funds and inaccessible. But high income countries disagreed and decided that the new fund should still be managed by GEF.

There are other concerns too, e.g. upfront commitment of money (LMICs) vs setting up the trust first then discussing budget later. Also, the current proposed fund (which high income countries still arent willing to commit upfront to) is $200 million, whereas research estimated show that to achieve the goal, $700 billion is required.

Countries are expected to meet and review this proposal in these few days, but there seems to be still no tangible commitment on the horizon

[witchstone]

Cyanella lutea ssp. lutea South Cape DC, South Africa by madabotanik

[surelookbutnothingtoseehere]

Wild horses in the Dutch dunes

[zhanshoinov]

#Repost @nrdc_org • • • • • • If you haven’t heard, a lot of America has been talking about Tiger King, the hit documentary series on Netflix, which believe it or not attempts to be about the wildlife trade. Zak Smith, a Senior Attorney for NRDC's Nature Program, watched the show and had this to say, "A lot of so-called sanctuaries are dumpster fires; they serve no purpose other than exploitation of animals for profit, and the animals suffer needlessly.” 🔥 Whether you’ve seen the show are not, click the link in our bio to read Zak’s blog and what he’s been thinking about after watching the show. Here's a quick summary: 1. We are in a biodiversity crisis. 2. We must fundamentally change our relationship to nature. 3. Most wildlife trade should be banned and we should protect more wild places. 4. Not​ all sanctuaries are sanctuaries. 5. Changing our relationship to nature must include a just transition. 🐯 🐅[Photo credit: Blake Meyer] #Covid #SocialDistancing #Wildlife #Wildlifetrade #Biodviersity #StopTheSpread #Netflix #TigerKing https://www.instagram.com/p/B-jVk-QhIbv/?igshid=1f7z3lzfzku18

[tastydregs]

Flash Forest and Tree Planting With Drones

Flash Forest can plant trees at 10 times the normal rate and at 20% of the cost of traditional tree planting techniques.

They want to plant one billion trees by 2028. Planting trees is currently the fastest and cheapest way today to sequester carbon. The average tree absorbs 40 lbs of C02 per year. With billions of trees planted each year we can effectively reverse our impact.

The world loses 13 billion trees every year and only half that amount is planted.

Biocarbon Engineering is now called Dendra. They also plant trees with drones. Dendra claims to be the leading technology-enabled service provider addressing restoration of natural ecosystems globally. There are 2 billion hectares of degraded land across the globe created from years of imbalance between the rate of ecosystem destruction, and ecosystem restoration. Dendra has developed an automation and intelligence solution to address this challenge. Their vision for the future is that automated tools and intelligence systems will enable large scale restoration of our natural ecosystems to protect our climate and the sustainability of our natural world. Dendra Systems is CAA and CASA approved for operations in the UK and Australia, with approvals for spreading, and night operations. Dendra Systems holds a ReOC issued by CASA in Australia, and holds a PfCO issued by the CAA in the UK, with relevant OSCs where applicable for operations. All Dendra pilots hold the relevant RePLs required for operations.

Dendra provides mapping, data analytics, direct seeding, and precision pod planting.

Dendra focuses on restoration of healthy biodvierse ecosystems, and therefore work with over 50 species in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical environments. They are always adding more qualified species to their list.

In January 2019, Glencore’s Bulga Coal extended projects with Dendra Systems into aerial seeding.

Dendra’s SKAI TractorTM was used to seed both native woodland seed mixes as well as pasture mixes to rehabilitate contoured slopes. SKAI ScanTM was used to map the land before seeding to assist in planning, with post-rain monitoring to assess initial germination.

Droneseed is also planting trees with drones.

Airseed technologies is also planting trees with drones.