New Middle East war, old story for climate emergency
New Middle East war, old story for climate emergency
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When I was editor of USA Today a decade ago, no story or photo generated more passion and hate mail than one tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Almost a century in the making, there are no shortages of grievances and bitter feuds on both sides.
Any story or photo we published drew accusations of favoritism — from both sides — and we’re seeing the same thing play out this week in the aftermath of the Hamas weekend terror attacks as Israel prepares a ground invasion of Gaza.
The potential impact on the climate emergency — which is similar as a news issue in that it also draws passion and hatred from both sides — is largely going to depend on oil prices, and whether the Israeli response draws in other regional players, notably Iran. (See our insight below on the potential impact on COP28, which starts next month.)
In the shelf-life of an investor portfolio, these types of geopolitical events, as tragic as they can be, generally are just blips in the market, Ukraine included. It’s useful to think of climate change instead as a growing backdrop threat to more war and misery, as heat, drought and other impacts turn more people against each other in the struggle for water, territory, survival.
Unfortunately, with the new horror and tragic nature of the past few days in the Middle East, the resulting delay to the world’s attention on its worsening environment is one story that unfortunately won’t be exciting any passions or headlines anytime soon.
Don’t forget to contact me directly if you have suggestions or ideas at dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.
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COP 28 could be collateral damage of Israel-Hamas conflict
. . . . In tragedy terms, it pales in comparison — but there may be another victim of Israel’s war with Hamas: The COP28 climate talks due to take place starting at the end of next month in Dubai. It’s partly because the talks are also in the Mideast, it’s partly because the political landscape is shaken up, and it’s partly because energy markets may be in turmoil, thus making renewable energy seem less important. We look at the situation. Read more here. . . .
Editor’s picks: The champion of chonk
The bears have eaten and the voters have spoken
“The gutsy girl grounded the guy with a gut,” said Katmai National Park. This year’s winner of the Fat Bear Contest is bear 128, Grazer. It’s the first title for the gutsy mother and expert salmon catcher. She defeated bear 32, known as Chunk (a worthy opponent) in the final showdown by more than 85,000 votes. The National Park Service says Grazer was introduced to Brooks River in Alaska’s Katmai National Park as a young cub in 2005. Since then, she’s become one of the best anglers at Brooks River. She can fish successfully in many locations at Brooks Falls. Grazer is a particularly defensive mother bear who has successfully raised two litters of cubs. Grazer’s combination of skill and toughness makes her one of Brooks River’s most formidable, successful, and adaptable bears. Also, the fattest. Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating the success of the bears at Brooks River in Katmai National Park. The public gets a chance to vote for the chunkiest champion. According to Explore.org, “Fat bears exemplify the richness of Katmai National Park and Bristol Bay, Alaska, a wild region that is home to more brown bears than people and the largest, healthiest runs of sockeye salmon left on the planet.”
Global energy transition means job losses in coal industry
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Words to live by . . . .
“The mountains have always been here, and in them, the bears.” — Rick Bass, author and activist.