Climate Letter #1622

Some good news—monitors of mangrove deforestation are seeing meaningful improvement (National University of Singapore).  “More than a decade ago, academics warned that mangrove forests were being lost faster than almost any other ecosystem, including coral reefs and tropical rainforests. But things are looking better…..loss rates have reduced by almost an order of magnitude between the late 20th and early 21st century – from what was previously estimated at one to three per cent per year, to about 0.3 to 0.6 per cent per year, thanks in large part to successful mangrove conservation efforts…..Mangrove forests occur along the shorelines of more than 100 countries and are incredibly important as they provide a number of critical benefits to people, including protection from coastal erosion and storm as well as cyclone damage, natural filters for pollution and sediment, carbon sequestration which helps to mitigate climate change, and provide millions of people with products such as fuelwood, construction materials and fisheries resources.”  There are still threats that must be kept under control.

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An analysis of what the potential repercussions of further deforestation in the Amazon will mean for the people of Brazil (Mongabay).  The list of disasters is long, everyone will be affected, and the changes would be rapid, but the Bolsonara government remains oblivious.  The ill effects would also spread far beyond Brazil’s borders, which should stimulate greater outside pressures for reform.

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Burning fossil fuels causes great harm to humans aside from the damages done by climate change (Phys.org).  From the 2019 World Air Quality Report, “Most of the seven million premature deaths attributed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to air pollution are caused by PM2.5 particles, which originate in sandstorms, agriculture, industry, wildfires and especially the burning of fossil fuels.”  China, India and several neighboring countries are by far the most affected.  Of further note, “Climate change has begun to amplify the health risk of PM2.5 pollution, especially through more intense forest fires and sandstorms made worse by spreading desertification, the report found.”

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A beautifully photographed story about the way giant kelp forests are being completely destroyed by warmer ocean waters (The Guardian).  A first-hand witness who grew up in Tasmania and is now a biologist tells exactly how it happens.  (When sea urchins find it warm enough to move in the kelp have no chance of surviving.)

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A device that adds to the efficiency of heat pumps improves on the prospect of heating as well as cooling buildings with clean electricity (Purdue University).  The device can be used as a control agent within an existing heat pump.  It will lower energy bills, but no estimates were given.

Carl