In the latest edition of our Sustainable Newsletter, we dive into critical topics from Green IT to the new rules introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Discover what to expect reading on!
All you need to know about Destination Earth
Destination Earth (DestinE) is the European Commission’s newest initiative, focused on developing a global digital model of the Earth that monitors and predicts the interaction between natural phenomena and human activities. This endeavor combines sustainability and technology, as it will be part of a larger goal: to achieve the objectives of the twin transition, green and digital. It’s also an integral element of the European Commission’s Green Deal and Digital Strategy.
The Green Deal is an initiative toward making Europe the first climate-neutral continent through several goals, such as reaching no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and implementing economic growth separated from resource use. The EU Digital Strategy sets to strengthen its digital independence and build its standards, focusing on data, technology, and infrastructure.
DestinE will focus mainly on “the effects of climate change and extreme weather events, their socio-economic impact and possible adaptation and mitigation strategies.” Europe’s HPC computers and AI will power DestinE and help prepare for major natural disasters and climate change adaptation and predict the socio-economic impact. For users, including non-scientific specialists, it will grant access to critical sources of data across Europe and a large amount of the Earth system.
The DestinE system will have 3 components:
- The Core Service Platform: Evidence-based decision-making tools, applications, and services through a cloud-based computing system.
- The Data Lake: An integration of already existing European data resources.
- The Digital Twins: Digital replicas of Earth’s complex systems.
Is it possible to build low carbon emissions cities?
Skyscrapers may not be the answer, according to a new study. According to a report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we have to start considering how we build cities; this includes skyscrapers since they influence the urban heat island effect. “Tall buildings placed in close proximity tend to trap heat and reduce natural ventilation.”
Being more climate-friendly means focusing on low-rise buildings. Paris is an example, as most buildings are at a maximum of 10 stories. This type of urban design and planning may lead to decreasing carbon levels.
A wake-up call from IPCC’s sixth assessment regarding climate change
The IPCC’s sixth assessment underlines the importance of a “rapid and deep” reduction in emissions throughout all industries to achieve the limit of global warming to 1.5C or 2C. The report highlights how more decisive actions toward climate change are needed since emissions continue to rise despite ongoing efforts. Without these actions, it won’t be feasible to remain below 1.5C.
Specific actions will help us achieve it, targeting “substantial reductions in fossil fuel use, energy efficiency, electrification, the rapid uptake of low-emission energy sources – particularly renewables – and alternative energy carriers, such as hydrogen.”
The report adds that it will be necessary to reach a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), including for the first time the mention of diets and consumption patterns from the “demand-side.”
This month’s top 3 to follow
- Elisa Díaz-Martínez
As a highly experienced public affairs and government relations international executive, she builds corporate reputation and impactful strategies across Europe and North America.
- Emily Kirsch
Founder and Managing Partner at Powerhouse Ventures & Founder and CEO at Powerhouse, with a deep commitment to having the most significant positive impact possible.
- Madison Freeman
Research and strategy associate at Energy Impact Partners focused on emerging decarbonization technologies and how to scale them to solve climate challenges.
Check out the rest of our newsletter with an infographic underlining how climate change costs lives and money, why climate risk is not the only environmental risk companies should disclose, and Elena Morettini’s latest discussion on Green IT.
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