January 2024 Edition

ENGLISH SPECIAL EDITION - ONLINE DIGITAL - JANUARY 2024

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Psychology

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ot only does racism trigger N mental health problems such

as depression, anxiety, and trauma, it also adds barriers to getting help.

Not only does racism trigger mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, it also adds barriers to getting help.

For many black people or minorities there’s a great disparity in access to mental health resources. Even if you have access to a doctor or therapist, you may still encoun- discourage you from continu- Mental health still carries a ter discrimination within the ing to seek help. stigma for many people, inhealth care system itself. cluding those in some black OTHER BARRIERS and minority communities.

A lack of cultural understand- TO GETTING MENTAL ing or prejudice on the part of HEALTH CARE Many black men, for exa medical professional can re- INCLUDE: ample, see having a mental sult in a misdiagnosis or inaphealth problem as a personal propriate treatment, or even Stigma: failure or a sign of weakness.

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Psychology

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Rather than seek help, they’re more likely to bottle up their suffering or try to tough it out alone.

Too few black or minority therapists: In western countries, most therapists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals are white.

Studies indicate that a white therapist misinterpreting a black client’s experience can lead to dangerous misdiagnoses.

Black men, for example, are much more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed with schizophrenia than their white counterparts.

Misunderstanding of mental health problems by some religious leaders in black and Asian communities: For many of us, religious institutions like churches or mosques play an important role in supporting our mental and emotional well-being.

Studies indicate that a white therapist misinterpreting a black client’s experience can lead to dangerous misdiagnoses.

However, some religious figures mistake mental health REACH OUT TO problems for failings of faith OTHERS AND or even discourage profesSHARE YOUR PAIN sional treatment.

Whether you’ve experienced PRIORITIZING a blatant racist attack or sufSELF-HELP fered one or more micro-agWhether you have access to gressions, it’s normal to feel professional treatment or angry, upset, or hopeless. It’s not, there are effective self- also normal to want to bottle help steps you can take to im- up your experiences of racprove how you feel and pro- ism or try to pretend that they haven’t affected you. tect your mental health.

But keeping painful feelings Whether racial prejudice and to yourself will only amplify discrimination has left you them and adversely impact feeling exhausted, hopeless, your mental and physical anxious, or traumatized, the health. The first step to healfollowing strategies can help ing is to openly and honestly you gain a sense of empower- share your experiences with ment, build your resilience, others. and face the future with more optimism.

The simple act of talking with

someone who makes you feel heard and understood can trigger hormones that calm your nervous system, relieve stress, and ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. In fact, a 2019 study found that black women who regularly opened up about their experiences of everyday racism were less likely to exhibit the signs of chronic stress, premature aging, and ill health than those who kept their experiences to themselves.

Talking about your experiences can also make them seem less intense. Acknowledging and expressing feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety,

for example, can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and better enable you to cope with similar emotions in the future.

Try to prioritize face-to-face contact. Although sometimes not possible in the age of social distancing, it’s the act of looking another person in the eye as you talk that offers the most benefit. Obviously, the person you talk to doesn’t need to be able to offer solutions—systemic racism isn’t something that will ever be solved easily—but they do need to be a good listener, someone who can understand your experiences and acknowledge your feelings.

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Whether you’ve experienced a blatant racist attack or suffered one or more micro-aggressions, it’s normal to feel angry, upset, or hopeless.

Reach out to those closest to you, such as your partner, family, and friends:

ging you, try reaching out to a cultural or community center, school or youth counsellor, sports coach, religious organization, like-minded people Opening up won’t make you on social media, or a respecta burden to others. In fact, ed neighbor in your area. most friends and loved ones will be flattered that you Listen to others when trust them enough to con- they reach out to you: fide in them, and it will only strengthen your relationship. Make yourself available to support others just as you would like them to support Look for support you. within your

community:

Listening attentively to anIf you feel that you don’t have other person’s experiences of any friends or family who’ll racism and making them feel listen without negatively jud- heard can be just as benefi-

your ethnic identity, embracing your heritage, and taking Supporting others can help pride in your culture and hisreduce your own stress, com- tory. bat feelings of isolation and depression, and protect your The identity of each one of mental health. Think of it as us is closely intertwined with being each other’s therapist. the experiences we share with others of a similar backEMBRACE ground. cial for you as it is for them.

YOUR ETHNICITY

Living in a white-dominated Racism is often used as a society, though, often means weapon to devalue you as a that the experiences of black human being and lower your and minority cultures are deself-esteem. valued or marginalized. To You can counter that and help develop and maintain a betdeflect the pain of racism by ter sense of your own ethnic developing a strong sense of identity, you can: CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

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Educate yourself on the history of your race. Black history, for example, didn’t begin with slavery.

No matter how much your anger is justified, expressing it in a knee-jerk fashion will impair your judgement, diminish your chances of being heard, and negatively affect your health.

Both Africa and the Caribbean have long and proud histories, with Africa being the birthplace of humanity and the cradle of civilization.

The more you learn about the history of your race, the better you can steel yourself against the ignorance that fuels prejudice and discrimination.

Research your family history.

Grandparents, genealogical websites, and DNA testing can all help you investigate your family’s lineage, discover distant relatives, and explore your roots.

to help others in your community, or simply reach out to those in need, such as kids requiring guidance or mentorship.

Most of us can’t afford to travel to our ancestors’ homeland to experience it firsthand, but we can learn more about its history and culture online, watch relevant travel shows, CHANNEL or learn the country’s lan- YOUR ANGER guage and traditions.

Enduring the injustice of raEmbrace your culture through cial bigotry and discriminabooks, music, art, film, or tion can understandably food. Look for books written make even the most evenby black or minority authors, tempered person seethe with for example, films that tell rage. stories important to your eth- Venting your anger in an unnicity, or art and music that controlled way, though—esspeaks directly to you. pecially at white law enforceCook a meal in your ethnic ment officers or other figures cuisine or rekindle the unique of authority—will only make customs and traditions of a bad situation even worse. your culture.

No matter how much your anger is justified, expressing Strengthen your it in a knee-jerk fashion will community ties: impair your judgement, diSharing closer ties to people minish your chances of being who share your experiences heard, and negatively affect can help reduce the sense your health. of isolation that often stems Similarly, trying to mute or from racism. suppress your anger will Join community groups and also have a negative impact cultural programs, volunteer on your mental and physical

health. The key is to harness your anger and channel it in a constructive way to provoke meaningful change.

others or making music, art, or films are great ways to constructively vent your anger, tell your story, and make your feelings heard.

Join an anti-racism or other Creativity can help commuactivist group. nicate even the most difficult As the Black Lives Matter thoughts and emotions and demonstrations around the reach people who wouldn’t world have proved, there’s normally listen. real power and influence when people come together Diffuse your anger with huand express their anger in a mor. When you bring humor profound, meaningful way. to the fight for social justice, Not everyone is supportive, it doesn’t mean you’re not of course, but they are all tak- taking it seriously. ing notice.

Rather, finding humor in bleak Vote and encourage others situations can help to diffuse in your community to do the anger and pain, inspire hope, same. Campaign for an issue and reframe unpleasant sitor candidate important to uations so they seem less threatening. you.

Make your voice heard, whether it’s on a local or national level, at school, or in the workplace.

Direct your anger into creative pursuits:

You don’t need to embark on a stand-up routine, but finding ways to laugh at the world we live in with friends and like-minded people can add joy to your life and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. ◙

Writing down your experiences and sharing them with SOURCE:

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Entertainment

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AVOCADOS

Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable.

They're technically considered a single-seeded berry, believe it or not.

THE EIFELL TOWER

The Eiffel Tower can be 15 cm taller during the summer, due to thermal expansion meaning the iron heats up, the particles gain kinetic energy and take up more space.

TRYPOPHOBIA

Trypophobia is the fear of closely-packed holes. Or more specifically, "an aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps." No crumpets for them, then.

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ALLODOXAPHOBIA

Allodoxaphobia is the fear of other people's opinions. It's a rare social phobia that's characterised by an irrational and overwhelming fear of what other people think.

AUSTRALIA

Australia is wider than the moon. The moon sits at 3400km in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 4000km.

MELLIFLUOUS

'Mellifluous' is a sound that is pleasingly smooth and musical to hear.

HUMAN TEETH

Human teeth are the only part of the body that cannot heal themselves. Teeth are coated in enamel which is not a living tissue.

GUINEA PIG

It's illegal to own just one guinea pig in Switzerland. It's considered animal abuse because they're social beings and get lonely.

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THE UNICORN

The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. It was apparently chosen because of its connection with dominance and chivalry as well as purity and innocence in Celtic mythology.

THE FIRST AEROPLANE

The first aeroplane flew on December 17, 1903. Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, with their first powered aircraft, aka the first airplane.

PLANET VENUS

Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise. It travels around the sun once every 225 Earth days but it rotates clockwise once every 243 days.

NUTMEG

Nutmeg is a hallucinogen. The spice contains myristicin, a natural compound that has mind-altering effects if ingested in large doses.

FRENCH BURGUNDY

A 73-year-old bottle of French Burgundy became the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction in 2018, going for $558,000 (approx £439,300). The bottle of 1945 Romanee-Conti sold at Sotheby for more than 17 times its original estimate of $32,000.

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NATIONAL ANTHEM

The Spanish national anthem has no words. The 'Marcha Real' is one of only four national anthems in the world (along with those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and San Marino) to have no official lyrics.

BLUE LOBSTER

The probability of a blue lobster existing is widely touted as being one in two million. Bright blue lobsters are so-coloured because of a genetic abnormality that causes them to produce more of a certain protein than others.

ONE LETTER

There’s only one letter that doesn’t appear in any American state name. There's a Z in Arizona and an X in Texas, but no Q in any of them.

RED SOLES

Louboutins' iconic red soles were inspired

by Andy Warhol. The 60s pop artist's drawing Flowers caught the eye of the famous designer which gave him the idea to add the infamous sole to his designs.

SOURCE: BRITTANICA.COM

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Family

Trying to plan a weekend

blanket on the lawn or a patio table. Your family will get fresh air and a dose of vitamin D!

can sometimes feel like a daunting task when you have kids.

HOST A FOUR-SQUARE TOURNAMENT

There's often a pressure to "get out and do things," which can sometimes be expensive, and let's face it—sometimes you just want to stay home.

This outdoor family activity gets everyone moving!

You'll need four players and a large rubber ball.

Fortunately, there are ways to have fun (and keep your kids entertained) without going any further than your backyard.

Draw a 12 x 12 foot square on your driveway. Divide into four squares—A, B, C, and D— and have one player stand in each square.

Ahead, find 13 fun family activities you can do right from the comfort of your own home.

PLAN A PICNIC Prepare a traditional picnic lunch like sandwiches, fruit, and potato chips.

Load everything into a basket and bring it to your picnic destination, whether it's a

Prepare a traditional picnic lunch like sandwiches, fruit, and potato chips.

The player in A starts by bouncing the ball in their square, then batting it with open hands into another square.

That player must hit the ball into another square. When one player misses or hits the ball out of bounds, they move to D, the players behind them advance, and you begin again.

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BUILD A GARDEN LABYRINTH Outline a path in your backyard using stones, twigs, or unmowed grass. Simple patterns can be found online or in books. Little kids especially will love following the twists and turns of your creation.

PLAN A TREASURE HUNT Kids can't resist a scavenger hunt!

You can plant little dimestore jewels and treasures in the garden, then draw up a map with directions for kids.

(For an ancient look, let some coffee soak into the map to brown it with age; while the paper is wet, rip it around the edges).

You can even hide the map somewhere in the house and let the kids find it while making the bed or putting away toys.

Kids can't resist a scavenger hunt! You can plant little dime-store jewels and treasures in the garden, then draw up a map with directions for kids.

GET COOKING Don't forget about indoor family activities for cold or rainy days.

One idea is baking or cooking together. Kids especially love making pie crusts, biscuits, and pizza because they can squish the dough with their fingers.

When the baking is done, sit back and enjoy a bite alongside a refreshing drink.

CHECK OUT THE STARS To get started on this fun family activity, download a star chart from the internet.

Then choose one spot in your yard that affords a clear view of the heavens, and venture outside to watch how the night sky changes each day.

As a bonus, getting a little fresh air before bedtime might help your kids sleep!

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Choose one spot in your yard that affords a clear view of the heavens, and venture outside to watch how the night sky changes each day.

DO MAGIC TRICKS For a unique family activity, look up magic tricks on YouTube and put on a show for little kids. You can also teach an older child some tricks they can perform in front of the whole family.

PLAY CAPTURE THE FLAG You'll need six or more people and two pieces of fabric in different colors, cut into flags (one for each player).

Using flour for the outline, divide your yard into two adjoining courts about 12 x 12 feet each.

Divide into two teams; each person places a flag on the back line of their court.

They'll love making new shirts, socks, blankets, and pillowcases! Check out this slideshow for pattern ideas.

COLLECT LEAVES FOR ARTWORK Take a walk in your backyard or a local park, and have your children collect fallen leaves.

Once you get home, lay the leaves on paper and rub the all of the opposing side's flags Stock Photos, Pictures & side of a crayon over it, creatRoyalty-Free Images - iStock ing a silhouette. first wins. | Family indoor camping, InHAVE A door camping family, Indoor You can also paint the leaves and use them as homemade TASTE TEST camping with kids stamps.

Choose a cuisine that your Yearning for the great outchildren haven't tried, such doors without leaving home? SOLVE A PUZZLE as Thai or Brazilian.

You can create a makeshift exFind the country on a globe or perience in your living room! When everyone works together, completing a puzzle a map, and read a short encySet up blanket forts or tents, becomes a manageable feat. clopedia or Internet introductell stories around a "fire" tion to that nation's culture. (candles or a lantern), and Choose one that depicts a Then make a signature dish eat foods like hot dogs and meaningful scene or location—for example, if you from that country for lunch s'mores. loved your family vacation to or dinner—for example, Pad HAVE A New York City, buy a puzzle of Thai or Brazilian coxinhas TIE DYE PARTY the skyline. (chicken croquettes).

Starting from their flag line, players dash to the opposite side of the field and try to pick up a flag from the other team. If a player is tagged, they're out and must stand behind the opposing team's GO CAMPING line of flags.

INSIDE

If they capture a flag, they're safe and can return to their 14,400+ court. The team that captures

Indoor

Brush up on the basics of tie dye and teach the creative family activity to your chilCamping dren.

Our experienced medical team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and guidance tailored to your individual needs. ◙

SOURCE: WEBMD.COM

Tourism

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The planet contains a nearly endless number of fascinating and beautiful destinations that welcome

travelers with open arms. It would be impossible to visit every scenic location and historical monument in your lifetime, even if you dedicated your life to the sole purpose. Still, this abundance of exciting destinations doesn’t do much to quell our burning desire to visit the few places we’re not allowed to go. It is precisely the forbidden nature of these places that adds so much to their allure.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT’S (POSSIBLE) ETHIOPIAN HOME

n northern Ethiopia, the vestiges of the Aksumite Kingdom, Ifrom tombs to obelisks, mingle with Christian churches, such

as the well-known Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion. This particular church is, in part, what earns Aksum a spot on our list.

Though visitors can explore many of the ruins, museums, and sites in Aksum, entry into Our Lady Mary’s chapel is strictly prohibited.

The Old Testament book of Exodus describes how Moses received a set of instructions from God to build a powerful receptacle that would come to be known as the Ark of the Covenant. According to ancient Israelite tradition, the Ark housed the 10 commandments, a pot of manna, and the rod of Mothe Bible, the Ark shouldn’t be touched—and, according to Inses’ brother Aaron. diana Jones, you shouldn’t look upon it, either.But Ethiopian The Ark was among the holiest objects ever to exist on earth Christians claim that it’s been safely hidden away in a chapel and was said to house the presence of God Himself. Bibli- in the town of Aksum for nearly three millennia. To this day, cal sources record that this endowed it with supernatural the temple that houses the Ark is guarded by a band of virgin abilities, so it’s no surprise that explorers have been looking monks, among whom only one special “guardian” is allowed for it ever since its disappearance in 586 BCE. According to to actually feast his eyes on the Ark. ◙ CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

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Tourism

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VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES VATICAN CITY

The Archives contain 53 miles of shelving that house 12 centuries’ worth of priceless historical documents.

Among them, you’ll find a letter from Michaelangelo, complaining that he wasn’t paid enough to paint the Sistine Chapel, as well as a letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, who wrote to beg Pope Sixtus V to intercede in her upcoming execution in 1587. Then there’s a document known as the Chinon Parchment, which contains the minute of the trials against the Knights Templar.

While the Vatican Archives are quite possibly one of the most fascinating places on earth, they are only accessible to a handful of scholars who have undergone a thorough vetting process. Think you have a shot at being granted admission? Feel In 1612, Pope Paul V decreed that all Catholic Church records free to fill out an application. Alternatively, you could write should be housed in the same, centralized place. And in 2019, a “controversial” depiction of them, as Dan Brown did in his Pope Francis officially renamed the Vatican’s infamous secret novel Angels and Demons, and maybe the powers that be will archives, dubbing them the Vatican Apostolic Archives. invite you in to refute that depiction. ◙

THE SHOGU SHRINE AT THE ISE GRAND SHRINE OF HONSHU, JAPAN

BOHEMIAN GROVE IN MONTE RIO, CALIFORNIA

The Ise Grand Shrine of Japan, which is technically a collection of over 100 different shrines, is among the most sacred places in the Shinto religion. Roughly “the same size as the center of Paris,” over 1,500 rituals are conducted at the site If you’ve ever suspected that Silicon Valley’s rich and powerful annually. composed a modern-day secret society, you can rest assured Among the various shrines is a particular divine palace, known that the Bay Area’s involvement in elite, mysterious societies as Shogu, which is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu- stretches back much further than apps and search engines.

Omikami. Legend says that one of the most important items Nestled deep in the redwoods of Sonoma County is the nearly in Japanese Imperial history is enshrined within its walls. It’s 3,000-acre Bohemian Grove, the site of the Bohemian Club’s known as The Naik or “Holy Mirror” and is one of three myth- annual gathering. ological objects that collectively form the Imperial Regalia of This mysterious campground has been closed off to everyone Japan’s first emperors. except a privileged few since 1872. Seemingly filled with deThe other two are a sacred sword known as Kusanagi and a bauchery, these midsummer gatherings have occurred since precious jewel known as Yasakani no Magatama. Due to the 1878. The members, all wealthy men—who are mostly white Sacred Mirror’s mythical status, only Shinto clergy and mem- and largely conservative—throw what many believe is a gibers of the Japanese royal family are allowed to so much as ant, well-funded frat party. Notorious members include Wilset foot within the shrine’s courtyard. Rest assured that if you liam Randolph Hearst, Newt Gingrich, Bob Weir of Grateful do fancy a pilgrimage, you’re welcome to worship in front of Dead and allegedly every Republican president of the United the gate of the third row of four fences that guard the spot. ◙ States since Calvin Coolidge. ◙ CONTINUES ON PAGE 15

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Few can say what exactly goes on there, but it hasn’t stopped plenty of conspiracy theories from developing over the years.

Former members claim that there’s nothing Midsommar (2019) about it, despite raging bonfires, a towering Owl Shrine, and a theatrical ceremony nebulously-titled “Cremation of Care.” But while some say that it’s where the course of history is debated, most agree that it’s actually little more than an elite frat party where some of the world’s most powerful men go to mingle.

BHANGARH FORT RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Yes, you can explore (most of) India’s Bhangarh Fort to your heart’s content, but you’ll be greeted by a sign from the Archaeological Survey of India that ominously reads, “It is forbidden to enter [the] borders of the haunted Bhangarh Fort before sunrise and after sunset.” Why’s that? The fort is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the world.

Even during the daylight, visitors claim to hear ghostly screams and music, see inexplicable lights and shadows, or experience an overwhelming sense of anxiety, as if someone was following them.

There are several different versions of the legends that explain the fort’s spooky aura. Some stories claim a tantric, who failed to win over Princess Ratnavati with his magic, cursed the grounds, while others assert that Guru Balu Nath, who’d asked that the fort’s shadows not touch his preferred meditation spot, invoked his own curse when King Madho Singh didn’t obey his request when constructing Bhangarh. To this day, any attempt to cover the buildings has ended in collapse. ◙

POVEGLIA VENICE LAGOON, ITALY

The macabre Poveglia Island sits in the Venice Lagoon off the coast of Northern Italy.

Used early on as a military outpost, Poveglia took a dark turn in 1576 when the Bubonic Plague struck Venice.

Having learned from a devastating plague in the 1300s, Venetians quarantined the sick on Poveglia, and dumped corpses into mass graves on the island’s shores.

However, the island’s dark past doesn’t end there. A mental hospital opened on Poveglia in 1922 and the facility’s abusive doctors were notorious for “treating” their patients with lobotomies.

Now, it’s illegal to set foot on

the abandoned island, which is probably for the best. Not only do bones occasionally wash up on Poveglia, but so many people were cremated and buried there that it’s estimated that more than 50 percent of the island’s soil is composed of human ash. ◙ SOURCE: BRITANNICA.COM

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reaches a deciEsionachtoperson file for bankruptcy for different reasons.

Some have had business failures, others have lost their jobs or gone through a period of physical or emotional difficulty.

Hospital stays can be very expensive. Medical bills can add up to many hundreds of thousands of dollars. It seems like there is nowhere to go. Still, it exists.

The bankruptcy laws of the United States are making it possible for people to get rid of unwanted debt and start a new life, leaving their most

Bankrupticy

perplexing problems behind.

For some people, filing for bankruptcy will give them a sigh of relief that they have been looking for.

Bankruptcy results in the granting of debt rehabilitation to an individual or a couple.

Rehabilitation is a forgiveness of personal liability for debts you incurred prior to the submission of the case.

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and will not make representations on the future income from assets of an individual who has requested bankruptcy/bankruptcy relief. as a debtor.

We will help you decide if bankruptcy is right for you.

BANKRUPTCY IN THE UNITED STATES The origin of the word bankruptcy goes back to medieval times, in Italy. It was the custom of the time to break up a businessman's commercial bank if he was unable to pay his debts.

Bankruptcy comes from the word "banca rotta" or "broken bank".

During this time, punishment for non-payment of debts was a rule of law. Penalties could range from imprisonment (debtors' prison) to the

Bankruptcy today seeks the dual purpose of repaying creditors and protecting the debtor, so he can comfortably meet his monthly obligations.

1984 amendments to the 1978 Legislative Act; the 1994 change to the 1978 Legislative Act. Recently, since 2005, new legislation has been pending in Congress to make it more difficult for consumers to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (complete discharge) and force them into the credit repayment plan. Chapter 13 (reorganization).

Bankruptcy today seeks the death penalty. many revisions and modifica- dual purpose of repaying tions. Each revision attempts creditors and protecting the In the United States, bank- to make the laws more in line debtor, so he can comfortably ruptcy laws form its incep- with our culture. meet his monthly obligations. tion, which directs the rehabilitation of the debtor.

The laws kept changing as The main emphasis is that needed; The Legislative Act of in rehabilitating (reorganizaThe Bankruptcy Act of 1898 1933 and 1934 on Bankrupt- tion), the debtor comes unwas the first modern-day leg- cy during the Great Depres- der pressure. islation to extend protection sion; the Chandler Legislative to corporations from credi- Act of 1938; 1978, the first The laws in force today protors. It is the foundation of major change since the Chan- tect two different segments of our society: the business sectoday's bankruptcy laws. dler Legislature; the Banktor, both profitable and nonSince 1989 there have been ruptcy Tax Act of 1980; the profit, and the consumer. ◙

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Science

COP28 NATIONS AGREED TO ‘TRANSITION’ FROM FOSSIL FUELS. THAT’S TOO SLOW, EXPERTS SAY

ays of contentious wranD gling in Dubai at the United

Nations’ 28th annual climate summit ended December 13 with a historic agreement to “transition away” from fossil fuels and accelerate climate action over the next decade.

The organization touted the agreement as a moment of global solidarity, marking “the beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era.

But the final agreement reached at COP28, signed by nearly 200 nations, did not include language that explicitly mandated phasing out fossil fuel energy, deeply frustrating many nations as well as climate scientists and activists.

The agreement is considered the world’s first “global stocktake,” an inventory of

climate actions and progress made since the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average (SN: 12/12/15).

It acknowledges the conclusions of scientific research that greenhouse gas emissions will need to be cut by 43 percent by 2030 compared with 2019 levels, in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. It then calls on nations to speed up climate actions before 2030 so as to reach global net zero by 2050 — in which greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere are balanced by their removal from the atmosphere. Among the actions called for are increasing global renewable energy generation, phasing

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down coal power and phas- encing many climate change– ing out fossil fuel subsidies. linked extreme weather events, including the hottest But among many scientists 12 months ever recorded (SN: gathered in San Francisco at 11/9/23). Still, Scambos says, the American Geophysical “it’s a tribute to the science Union’s annual meeting to and the negotiators that we discuss climate change’s im- can take this step now, before pacts to Earth’s atmosphere, the disastrous global impacts polar regions, oceans and truly get underway.” But, he biosphere, the reaction to the added, “I fear that the pace language in the agreement [of future climate action] will was more frustrated than cel- … still be driven by impacts arebratory. riving at our collective doors.”

“The beginning of the end? I OTHER wish it was the middle of the RESEARCHERS end,” says climate scientist HAD A GRIMMER Luke Parsons of the Nature TAKE. Conservancy, who is based in Durham, N.C. “But you have “It was weak sauce,” says clito start somewhere, I guess.” mate scientist Michael Mann of the University of PennsylClimate change, the UN's vania. “What we really need warning: a change of direc- is a commitment to phase tion by 2050 out fossil fuels, on a very speIt is a step forward, says Ted cific timeline: We’re going to Scambos, a glaciologist at the reduce carbon emissions by University of Colorado Boul- 50 percent this decade, bring der. “Saying it out loud, that them down to zero mid-cenwe are aiming to phase out tury. Instead, they agreed to transition away from fossil fufossil fuels, is huge.” els — the analogy that I use It’s not a moment too soon: is, you’re diagnosed with diaThe globe is already experi- betes, and you tell your doc-

tor you’re going to transition away from doughnuts. That’s not going to cut it. It didn’t meet the moment.”

going to break loose if we go much above 1.5. You’re talking about actually exceeding the limits of adaptation around so much of our coastEric Rignot, a glaciologist at lines.” the University of California, Irvine, called the agreement On December 12, the eighth “deeply disappointing and anniversary of the signing misleading,” noting that it of the Paris Agreement, the didn’t include any language European Union’s Copernispecifically calling for phas- cus Climate Change Service ing out fossil fuels. Further- noted that the world has, in more, he says, “COP28 keeps effect, “lost” 19 years by deentertaining the idea that laying action to reduce fossil 1.5 degrees Celsius may be fuel emissions. Back in 2015, achievable, but everyone is climate projections suggested offtrack to meet that goal. that Earth’s average tempera[And] for ice sheets and gla- ture would reach the 1.5 deciers, even 1.5 degrees is not grees C threshold by the year sustainable.” There already 2045 — then 30 years away. are fears, for instance, that Now, projections show that the melting of Greenland’s ice the planet may reach that sheet can’t be stopped (SN: benchmark by 2034, just 11 8/9/21). years in the future.

Even if the world stays close to that average temperature, “the ice sheets are going to be retreating,” says Rob DeConto, a glaciologist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “But you start getting out toward the end of the century, and all hell is

“We’ve got a shrinking window of opportunity,” Mann says. “And that window of opportunity will close if we don’t make dramatic and immediate reductions to our carbon emissions.”

SOURCE: SCIENCENEWS.COM

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