Paris deluge made up to 90% more likely by climate change, scientists say
The heavy rain and flooding that hit Europe this month made it the rainiest month in France since 1886 and are likely to be caused by climate change. According to new research, “climate change increased the likelihood of the heavy rainfall across France as a whole by at least 40%. Looking at individual regions, the influence of climate change was even more pronounced – an 80% increase for the River Seine and a 90% increase for the River Loire.” France’s extreme weather is another example of how climate change will have different impacts all over the world with rain and flooding being one of them. Carbon Brief.
RELEASE: For the First Time, Companies Can Gauge Deforestation Risk by Evaluating Palm Oil Mills
A new tool from the World Resources Institute provides companies with the data to help source palm oil from forests that are sustainably managed- not deforested. Through satellite imagery of forested areas by palm oil mills, companies can determine the likelihood and manage the risk of buying palm oil from mills that deforest their land to supply it. Many companies have committed to sourcing sustainable palm oil so this insight is key to enabling companies to work with their suppliers and meet zero deforestation goals. Palm oil is a common ingredient in the products we use every day and has been a huge driver of deforestation in Southeast Asia, and increasingly Africa and Latin America.
COMMENT: What undersubscribed auctions mean for California’s carbon market
Things are a little shaky when it comes to California’s state’s cap and trade system right now. In the most recent offering, only 11% of the carbon allowances were purchased supplying the state with only $10 million to fund climate mitigation projects. One concern with the system is that there are too many allowances available driving down demand. The other is the lawsuit filed by the California Chamber of Commerce filed against the Air Resources Board saying the auctions are an unlawful tax. However, California’s cap and trade system has a “floor” or minimum price of $12.73 in place and systematic ways to deal with unsold allowances to safeguard the system. Many are saying that the issues with the system are political rather than design-related. Liz Hardee, Senior Analyst, The Climate Trust on Climate Pulse.
If you like data, especially environmental data, you may want to explore the World Bank’s Little Green Data Book 2016 with country- and international-level indicators covering topics such as energy and emissions, forests and biodiversity, and oceans.
The Sustainability Co-Op 