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G20 Progress on Clean Energy, but Not on Fossil Fuels

G20 Progress on Clean Energy, but Not on Fossil Fuels

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At their 2023 meeting in India, the leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) countries responsible for approximately 80 percent of the planet's greenhouse gas emissions have agreed to triple the use of renewable energy and allocate more funds toward managing climate change-related disasters. However, they did not reach a consensus on phasing out fossil fuels, especially coal, a major contributor to carbon emissions. The G20 did not give specifics on how policies and targets might be amended or how to pay for the estimated $4 trillion a year needed for the clean energy transition. The declaration by the G20 countries sets the stage for more discussions at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP28, later this year in the United Arab Emirates.


The G20 announcement has sparked discussions on the feasibility and implications of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. Alternatives to fossil fuels exist, such as energy derived from solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric or biofuel sources, but the replacement of fossil fuels is complex. Significant challenges remain in terms of the scalability, storage capacity and dependability of renewable energy. For instance, the production of solar and wind energy is dependent on the weather, and storing excess energy for later use requires substantial technological improvements. Significant investments are needed to overcome these limitations.


There are compelling reasons to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Their combustion results in the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and global warming. Additionally, extracting and using fossil fuels create environmental problems like air and water pollution and biodiversity loss. However, completely replacing all forms of fossil fuel use in the near term may not be feasible. A combination of strategies, including energy efficiency, conservation and the development of new technologies, is necessary to transition to a sustainable and low-carbon energy system.

In-Print National Content Global Brief Global and Health Briefs November 2023
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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