In the spotlight
European Commission to propose more ambitious 2030 climate goal
trust, 11.09.2020
The European Commission will propose that the European Union sets a 2030 target of cutting its net greenhouse gas emissions by “at least 55%” against 1990 levels, according to an internal document seen by Reuters.
Read more
Agriculture & Environment
It’s official: La Nina has arrived, but what does this mean?
digitaljournal, 14.09.2020
A ‘La Nina’ climate pattern has developed and is likely to persist through the winter, according to an advisory issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. What does this mean for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere? It is a natural Pacific Ocean climate phenomenon.
Read more
Earth’s ‘lost species’ only the tip of the iceberg
bbc, 04.09.2020
An endangered white-handed gibbon: the right conservation strategies can save the day. Scientists have calculated how many mammals might be lost this century, based on fossil evidence of past extinctions.
Read more
Transport & Energy
Give us green post-Covid recovery, urges CBI boss
bbc, 14.09.2020
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is urging government to create new green jobs to lift productivity after the pandemic. Chief Dame Carolyn Fairbairn will say the UK must become a global leader in climate action at a virtual conference.
Read more
China is rapidly building a world-beating wind energy revolution
wired-co-uk, 11.09.2020
While the desert winds will forever blow a gale, the surrounding rural villages aren’t necessarily in need of that much turbine-produced electricity. Meanwhile, Beijing and China’s economic centre sits at least a 20-hour drive away. “The onshore wind resource is fantastic, but only a fraction of gigawatts has been installed,” Zhao explains.
Read more
Information society
What Is the Internet of Things? A WIRED Guide
wired, 11.09.2020
How many engineers does it take to change a lightbulb? Depends on whether or not that lightbulb is connected to Wi-Fi. Lightbulbs, along with refrigerators, coffee makers, microwave ovens, baby monitors, security cameras, speakers, televisions, and thermostats have, in the past few decades,….
Read more
Lifelong learning is what it will take to be a 21st century accounting and finance professional
forbes, 11.09.2020
Lifelong learning enhances skillsets, setting professionals up for success. getty. A new school year has just begun amid the confusion and uncertainty of COVID-19. While health and safety are top of mind, this crisis has reminded us of the importance of learning as an integral part of our lives, underscoring the value of lifelong learning.
Read more
Food & Health
Coronavirus: Who will get the vaccine first?
bbc, 11.09.2020
If or when scientists succeed in making a coronavirus vaccine, there won’t be enough to go around. Research labs and pharmaceutical companies are rewriting the rulebook on the time it takes to develop, test and manufacture an effective vaccine.
Read more
World must scale up clinical trials to address COVID-19, WHO says
reuters-uk, 10.09.2020
The head of the World Health Organization urged countries on Thursday to contribute resources that can expedite products which may help stem the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more
Science policy & Communication
EU warns tech giants ‘time to go beyond self-reguation’
euobserver, 11.09.2020
Two years after a code of practice to fight online disinformation, the European Commission has concluded the self-regulatory mechanism fails to guarantee enough transparency and accountability from the tech platforms and advertisers that signed up to it.
Read more
Misinformation, political instability hamper vaccine trust: Study
aljazeera-en, 11.09.2020
“There’s a lot of confidence in the world about vaccines. But don’t take it for granted. Confidence goes up and down … it’s highly variable,” said Heidi Larson, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who led the research [Henry Ford Health System/AFP].
Read more
Getting wise to fake news
nytimes, 11.09.2020
Lindsay Dina wasn’t fooled by a photo on Facebook that supposedly showed masses of dolphins frolicking in the canals of Venice. Ms. Dina, 75, ventured onto the social media platform roughly a decade ago, and has developed some savvy. She mostly shares information from established news organizations.
Read more
The case of ibuprofen: evidence of huge impact of COVID-19 misinformation when coming from credible sources
eurekalert, 04.09.2020
In March, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, a tweet from the French Health Minister, Olivier Verán, advised patients with COVID-19 not to take ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties.
Read more
EU initiatives
Press release – EU climate law: MEPs want to increase emission reductions target to 60% by 2030
europarl, 11.09.2020
The Environment Committee wants earlier emission reduction targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Environment Committee MEPs voted to make climate neutrality obligatory by 2050 in both EU and member states and call for a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target.
Read more
Commissioner Kadri Simson warns green recovery plans will only succeed with cities and regions fully on board
Cor-EN, 09.09.2020
EU Commissioner for energy debates the way forward of the energy transition and the Green Deal with local leaders calling on Member States to be fully involved in Recovery and Resilience plans.
Read more
Just Transition Fund: helping EU regions adapt to green economy
europarl, 09.09.2020
The EU is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and has integrated the target across all its policies within the to tackle climate change . This ambitious target requires a transition to a low carbon economy and is challenging for regions relying mostly on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries.
Read more
Curious news
Why so serious? Tenet and the new wave of ‘science-based’ time travel movies
guardian, 09.09.2020
Moviegoers could be forgiven for feeling a certain sense of deja vu: Christopher Nolan’s film is part of a growing trend for blockbuster plotlines that unpick time-travel and all its implications in head-spinning detail.
Read more
Pandemic challenges U.S. lifeline to authentic Italian foods
forbes, 09.09.2020
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese named after the producing areas near Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Bologna (all in Emilia-Romagna), and Mantova (in Lombardia), Italy. getty. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to fray America’s love affair with authentic Italian foods.
Read more
