It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Monday, August 26, 2024
Lab-based alternative to foie gras launched
Supporters say lab-grown foods can be produced using fewer resources and can contribute to food security. Critics say they do not have the same nutritional value as traditional products, and production is expensive and energy-intensive.
Foie gras sells for up to €100/kg despite its production involving force-feeding ducks and geese to encourage the rapid growth of their livers.
Mon, 26 Aug, 2024 -
Stephen Cadogan
The world's gourmets could soon face a difficult moral question.
They pay up to €100 for a kilogram of fresh foie gras, despite its production involving force-feeding ducks and geese to encourage rapid growth of their livers.
If a French company succeeds in getting EU authorisation of its laboratory-grown foie gras, will connoisseurs of French cuisine accept it, and spell the end for force-feeding?
Public and private investors have bet more than €65m on the answer being 'yes', as that is how much the French company, Gourmey, has raised to commercialise its sustainable gourmet products, grown directly from animal cells in laboratories. Foie gras is its flagship product.
According to the Good Food Institute non-profit think tank, there are 174 publicly announced lab-grown meat and seafood companies worldwide, which have attracted about €2.8bn of investment.
But only the US, Singapore, and Israel have approved and allowed the commercial sale of lab-grown meat (it was authorised earlier this year in the UK for use in pet food).
Also called 'cultivated' or 'cell-based', the lab-grown product comes from animal cells grown in a nutrient-rich environment to form muscle, fat, and connective tissue.
Now, Gourmey has made the first request ever to the European Commission to sell lab-grown meat.
EU farmers have reacted badly, they are unlikely to be buyers of the Gourmey foie gras, after the European Livestock Voice, representing the meat supply chain, said this first application will open the door to many others, for bigger players and bigger markets. Obviously, that would pose a threat to traditional livestock farmers.
The EU’s food safety authority (EFSA) has nine months to publish its opinion. It could be authorised only if the EFSA finds it does not pose a safety risk to human health. For this product to mimic foie gras, it is also required that it does not mislead consumers nor be significantly less nutritious than foie gras. Placing it on the market will also require a qualified majority (at least 55% of member states representing 65% of the EU population) support.Learn more
To block the decision, at least four member states must vote against. Already, Hungary and Italy have opposed new foods such as lab-grown products, and the agriculture ministers of France, Italy, and Austria were backed by nine other colleagues when they called last January for stricter assessment of lab-grown products.
It will take up to two years, but success would open the markets of the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway for Gourmey, which is also seeking market approval in Switzerland, the UK, Singapore, and the US.
The global foie gras market was estimated at about €1.3bn in 2020.
But Gourmey has many hurdles to overcome, and competitors: since 2022, IntegriCulture in Japan has been developing lab-grown foie gras. And plant-based and other versions of foie gras already offer consumers an alternative.
When Nicolas Morin-Forest founded Gourmey in 2019, the pitch was that its lab-grown foie gras eliminated animal welfare concerns and could sell in the many countries where the product is banned.
Supporters say lab-grown foods can be produced using fewer resources and can contribute to food security. Critics say they do not have the same nutritional value as traditional products, and production is expensive and energy-intensive.
Outbreaks of bird flu also threaten the traditional foie gras supply chain.
Morin-Forest's aim is to be better than conventional foie gras by partnering with top chefs to create a signature flavour.
CO2 utilisation potential as key global decarbonization tool limited by current economics
CO2 utilisation currently represents less than 5% of globally announced capture capacity; stronger incentives needed
26 August 2024
Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a crucial element in global decarbonisation, but current economics limit CO2 utilisation deployment as high costs and insufficient subsidies hinder the market, according to a recent report from Wood Mackenzie.
In Wood Mackenzie’s 2050 net zero scenario, more than 7 Btpa of CCUS capacity is needed. Currently, 500 Mtpa of planned carbon capture capacity has been announced worldwide, of which more than 95% is dedicated to storage and less than 5% (22.4 Mtpa) to utilization, according to the report “To use or not to use? CO2 utilisation as a carbon capture enabler.”
“Expanded CO2 utilisation could bolster overall carbon capture economics, but current high costs, insufficient subsidies, and unsubstantial markets for green premiums are limiting appetite for utilisation growth,” said Rohan Dighe, research analyst, CCUS for Wood Mackenzie.
Most markets remain uncompetitive due to costs
According to the report, e-Hydrocarbons are uncompetitive and cost three times more than incumbent technology when using green H2, which comprises more than 80% of the cost of production.
However, CO2 mineralisation to high-purity limestone is competitive with traditional manufacturing, showing double digit returns if technology is scaled economically, but the market size is limited.
“Aggregates could be more than a 500 Mtpa market, but conversion to aggregates is too expensive today to be competitive,” said Dighe.
More policy support and tax incentives needed
According to Dighe, tax incentives like the US 45Q and Canadian Investment Tax Credit support utilization but are limited in scope and provide insufficient revenue to justify projects. Only the EU has a legislated CO2 utilisation mandate, which is confined to e-fuel use in aviation.
“Policy supporting demand for utilisation products is not strong enough,” said Dighe. “Without markets for these products, utilisation economics will continue to be disadvantaged. Declines in feedstock and technology costs and development of strong policy incentives are crucial for utilisation to become a legitimate, widespread enabler of carbon capture deployment.”
President, Leadership Energy Consulting. Aug 26, 2024 The Riau Ecosystem Restoration (RER) project stands as a beacon of hope amidst environmental adversities in Indonesia. Launched by the APRIL Group in 2013, it aims to restore and preserve natural habitats, emphasizing the balance between development and sustainability. This initiative is part of APRIL Group's broader commitment to sustainable practices, as highlighted in their recently published 2023 Sustainability Report. The report, themed ‘Striving for Excellence,’ marks two decades of progress in sustainable business practices, showcasing the company's dedication to environmental stewardship across the global forestry and manufacturing sectors. Despite operating within a challenging palm oil industry, particularly in the Riau region, where deforestation and environmental degradation have sparked global concerns, the RER project and the broader sustainability efforts detailed in the report highlight a pathway to genuine environmental stewardship. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders and an ambitious set of APRIL2030 goals, APRIL Group is increasingly recognized as a driving force for positive change, demonstrating that business and environmental sustainability coexist.
Addressing Common Objections and Criticisms
The palm oil industry has faced scrutiny for its environmental and labor practices, including deforestation, land disputes with indigenous communities, and the destruction of carbon-rich peatlands. These challenges have led to significant environmental degradation and social unrest. However, the APRIL Group has taken a bold step by publicly acknowledging the impact of its operations since 1993. By acknowledging potential environmental and social harms in Riau, Indonesia, they demonstrate a commitment to meaningful change.
The acknowledgment is a crucial step. By fully engaging in the process of remediation to end its disassociation with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), APRIL Group is working diligently to rebuild trust and improve its environmental practices. While it has been viewed by some as a strategic move, the acknowledgement should be recognized as a courageous leadership action. What truly matters is the commitment to genuine, long-term benefits for the planet. The transformation within the industry, driven by the RER project, exemplifies how businesses can pivot towards sustainable practices and set a new standard for environmental responsibility.
PROMOTED
The RER project aims to show that business and environmental stewardship can coexist. Located on the Kampar Peninsula in Sumatra, the RER project started with 20,265 hectares and has expanded to over 150,693 hectares. This area is home to critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, pangolins, and sun bears. The project's integrated production-protection model demonstrates how peat landscapes can be managed to provide forest products while protecting biodiversity. This model includes a "plantation ring" that buffers against human encroachment and illegal activities.
Opportunity in Adversity
The palm oil industry in Indonesia has long been notorious for its environmental impact. However, this adversity now presents a powerful opportunity for transformation. Industry players recognize the urgent need for improvement and take decisive steps to address these challenges head-on. The RER project stands as a testament to how the industry can pivot towards sustainable practices, setting a bold new standard for environmental responsibility.
One pivotal initiative within the RER project is carbon sequestration, which contributes to environmental restoration and opens up significant business opportunities, such as trading carbon credits. This dual benefit has a profound positive impact on both the environment and the bottom line. Improving environmental and social practices is not just a necessity but a strategic imperative for the long-term viability of businesses in the palm oil industry. Cleaning up their act is proving to be a game-changer, leading to sustained growth and profitability. This shift towards sustainability is possible and immensely beneficial, showcasing the power of committed action.
Community Engagement, Transparency, and Accountability
A crucial aspect of the RER project's success is its multi-stakeholder approach. Collaboration with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies is vital for developing sustainable land-use practices and protecting vital habitats. Partnerships with organizations like Fauna & Flora International and the local NGO Bidara integrate conservation efforts with community development, providing alternative livelihoods and education on sustainable practices.
Engaging local communities fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the environment. The project reduces dependency on harmful activities like illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture by providing alternative livelihoods. Education on sustainable practices empowers communities to protect their natural resources effectively.
The journey towards sustainability has been marked by rigorous scrutiny, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. The RER project has implemented several measures to uphold these principles. For example, forming a Stakeholder Advisory Committee allows for regular feedback and guidance from various stakeholders, ensuring the project remains aligned with its sustainability goals.
Engaging independent auditors like KPMG to assess progress provides an unbiased evaluation of the project's impact and effectiveness. These audits identify areas for improvement and ensure credible data back the project's claims. By openly sharing successes and challenges, the RER project demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability, essential for rebuilding stakeholder trust.
The Economic Upside of Sustainability
Efforts to improve practices within the palm oil industry benefit the environment and business. Consumers increasingly support initiatives demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability, enhancing reputations, and driving business growth. Sustainability initiatives can lead to cost savings and increased efficiency. Practices reducing waste and improving resource management can lower operating costs. Additionally, sustainable practices open new markets and attract investment from socially responsible investors prioritizing environmental and social governance (ESG) criteria.
While the palm oil industry is often under intense scrutiny, APRIL’s RER project now demonstrates how companies can evolve into stewards of environmental responsibility and social progress, setting a powerful example for others to follow. By embracing sustainability, the company sets a powerful example that positive change is possible, regardless of past practices. The journey towards sustainability in the palm oil industry is a testament to the power of steward leadership to drive long-term success and positive impact. Through committed efforts to ethical practices, the industry can thrive and contribute to the well-being of society and the environment.
Rajeev Peshawaria is CEO, Stewardship Asia Centre, Singapore, and president, Leadership Energy Consulting, Seattle, WA, USA. He’s also the author of Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestseller Open Source Leadership (McGraw Hill), Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders (Simon & Schuster), and Sustainable Sustainability (Penguin Random House). Rajeev combines 22 years of global Fortune 100 experience with research-based insights to provide unique and practical approaches to personal leadership, governance, sustainable business growth and steward leadership. He pioneered practical concepts such as leadership energy and emotional integrity for personal growth, the Brains-Bones-Nerves model for enterprise leadership, and steward leadership as a model for driving profitable growth in the 21st century. In 2014 and 2017, he was named one of the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for Trustworthy Business by ‘Trust Across America.’ Follow Rajeev for out-of-the-box leadership solutions for modern business.
* ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE / SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
SPACE
New Boeing CEO Faces Hard Choices After NASA Snubs Starliner for SpaceX
Julie Johnsson Mon, 26 Aug 2024
(Bloomberg) -- After a humiliating setback to its space ambitions, Boeing Co. faces a dilemma that pits its national duty against strained cash reserves.
The decision about the future of the struggling Starliner program now rests with Boeing’s newly installed chief executive officer, Kelly Ortberg, after NASA announced over the weekend that it wouldn’t send astronauts home from the space station on the faulty spacecraft. Following weeks of testing and heated debate, the space agency decided it was safer to use Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The specter of NASA astronauts being stuck in space is just one embarrassing moment of many for Boeing during an epically bad year that’s included a near-catastrophic blowout of an airborne 737 Max jetliner, federal investigations and an executive suite shake-up.
That leaves Ortberg, who took over the top job earlier this month, and the senior leadership council known internally as “exco,” to face thorny questions about the company’s commitment to human spaceflight and Starliner.
Seth Seifman, an analyst at JPMorgan, said in a note Monday that the decision “could result in further Starliner losses for Boeing.”
Shares of Boeing fell less than 1% at 1:28 p.m. in New York. The stock has lost about a third of its value since the beginning of the year.
Before Ortberg joined Boeing, executives had vowed to honor the company’s contract to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA. Bill Nelson, the agency’s top leader, said Ortberg recently voiced support for continuing the Starliner program after the craft is sent back from the space station without people on board.
“He expressed to me an intention that they will continue to work the problems once Starliner is back safely and that we will have our redundancy and our crewed access to the space station,” the NASA administrator told reporters on Saturday.
But as a new leader brought in to get Boeing back on track after years of turmoil, Ortberg has free rein to make sweeping changes and unpopular calls, including potentially scuttling the human spaceflight initiative.
“Do they ultimately exit the program because it’s too complicated,” Boeing can’t recover its investment, “and because the other guy can do it better?” said Robert Spingarn, an analyst with Melius Research. “It can happen.”
Much will depend on how Starliner performs during its return flight to Earth without astronauts on board next month. NASA hasn’t ruled out certifying the Boeing craft, although it could require another test flight before the capsule is allowed to carry astronauts again. That could cost Boeing about $400 million, based on charges the company booked to redo an earlier test flight. The agency’s experts still aren’t certain why some thrusters, used to position the craft, suddenly stopped working during the June mission and previous flight.
Boeing’s strained balance sheet and an expected cash burn of at least $5 billion this year are considerations the company has to weigh against its legacy in space, which dates back to the Apollo moon-landing program. After recording some $1.6 billion in cost overruns, the struggling aerospace giant seems unlikely to ever make money on Starliner.
In a July filing, the company disclosed $125 million in new losses stemming from delays to the crewed flight test and testing of Starliner’s glitchy propulsion systems. “For Boeing, the losses are significant and would call into question the viability of a business like this if you look at it in a long-term way,” said Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“The risk would be ongoing cost overruns and delays as Boeing works toward completing its six contracted missions,” Sheila Kahyaoglu of Jefferies said in a report to clients Monday. She estimates that additional delays could cost Boeing around $500 million a year.
Starliner is one of several fixed-price contracts dragging on the profits in Boeing’s defense and space division, which posted a $762 million operating loss during the first six months of 2024, slightly worse than a year earlier. The stumbles at a business that was once reliably profitable is a pressing concern for Boeing’s new CEO.
“I think it’s really important for him to go in and have an assessment of this,” said Douglas Harned, an aerospace analyst with Bernstein. “He’s coming in with a clean slate.”
Boeing declined to comment on its internal deliberations over Starliner’s fate. In an internal message shared by the company on Saturday, Mark Nappi, a Boeing vice president and program manager, said staff would gather on Monday to ponder their next steps.
“I know this is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to carry out the actions necessary to support NASA’s decision. The focus remains first and foremost on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft,” Nappi said.
Even before this weekend’s setback, there were signs Boeing’s long-term commitment to Starliner was in question. Late last year, Chief Financial Officer Brian West told a small gathering of investors that the company had a decision to make about future investment in the program after it fulfills its obligations to NASA for a half-dozen flights to the ISS.
Boeing, which is NASA’s primary contractor for the International Space Station, is also developing a long-delayed moon rocket for the agency, operates the secretive X-37B spaceplane and co-owns United Launch Alliance with Lockheed Martin Corp.
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NASA faces critical trade offs of its own as it maps out the future of the commercial crew program.
The agency designed the program from the outset to have more than one US spacecraft to take its astronauts and cargo to orbit. While Starliner has fallen seven years behind schedule, SpaceX has launched nine separate crews to the space station for NASA since 2020.
For all its setbacks, Boeing remains the agency’s best hope for pursuing a multiplayer strategy, Swope said. If Boeing were to back out of its contract, “That’s not a good outcome for NASA either. They’d have to start over with commercial crew,” Swope said.
The agency could work with Sierra Space Corp. to escalate plans for a crewed version of its Dream Chaser vehicle, which lost out to Boeing and SpaceX in the original bidding a decade ago. But that’s years away given delays to a cargo version of the craft.
Given the stakes, Swope thinks NASA will try to work out a way forward that keeps Boeing in the commercial crew program while addressing some of its financial pain. If the aerospace giant needs to send Starliner into space autonomously to test its glitch-prone thrusters, perhaps the agency could convert that into a cargo mission, he said.
Space is far from the only problem facing Ortberg, a veteran aerospace leader who came out of retirement to take the CEO role at Boeing. He’s expected to get his executive team in place and then tackle tougher issues like the quality lapses and poor execution across Boeing’s enterprise.
“If Boeing can fix its commercial airplanes business, what happens in space is a lot less relevant,” said Spingarn of Melius Research.
--With assistance from Bruce Einhorn, Loren Grush and Esha Dey.
(Updates with shares in sixth paragraph, analyst’s comments in fourteenth paragraph.)
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US Consumers Got a $600 Billion Boost From Locked-In Mortgages
Alex Tanzi Mon, 26 Aug 2024,
(Bloomberg) -- Mortgages locked in at low costs provided US consumers with an extra $600 billion in spending cash since 2022, blunting the impact of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hikes, according to analysis by the Swiss Re Institute.
The boost received by homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages amounted to almost 2% of all personal consumption spending, wrote economists Mahir Rasheed and James Finucane at the insurance firm’s research arm.
The effect has been to mute the impact of monetary policy transmission, as consumer demand proved resilient to Fed hikes. The same mechanism will likely counteract the effectiveness of rate cuts that the Fed is now planning, and make it harder to stimulate consumer demand if the economy slows.
That limited boost from looser monetary policy could lead to “a sharper easing cycle over the next year than our baseline currently assumes,” the Swiss Re analysts wrote.
During the recent Fed tightening cycle, market rates for US mortgages exceeded the average rate that borrowers paid on existing mortgages by as much as 3.2 percentage points, according to Swiss Re.
Because the impact of monetary policy moves was dispersed, with a large chunk of household debt shielded from any impact, the Fed may have raised rates higher than it would have otherwise — in effect penalizing renters.
The coming year may see the same effect in reverse, pushing the Fed to cut rates more aggressively, according to Swiss Re. The median home price has risen some 60% since early 2020 and credit card delinquencies are above pre-pandemic levels, pointing to larger household debt burdens that will only see limited relief from lower borrowing costs.
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MONOPOLY CAPITALI$M
FTC's bid to block Kroger-Albertsons merger heads to trial
The US FTC initiated a trial to block Kroger's $25 billion merger with Albertsons, making it a high-profile case for the Biden administration, which aims to reduce prices for consumers.
President Held a Meeting on Protecting the State's National Interests Under Martial Law
26 August 2024 -
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Official website
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the heads of law enforcement agencies regarding the protection of the state's national interests under martial law.
Participants included: Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, Head of the State Border Guard Service Serhii Deineko, Director of NABU Semen Kryvonos, Deputy Prosecutor General and Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office Oleksandr Klymenko, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation Oleksii Sukhachov, Head of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention Viktor Pavlushchyk, and Acting Director of the Economic Security Bureau Serhii Perkhun.
"First and foremost, we discussed countering traitors, collaborators, and those who justify Russian aggression in various sectors and assist the enemy. We also need to thoroughly discuss the mechanism for applying sanctions by our state and cooperation with partners to synchronize our sanction regimes," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk reported on counter-sabotage and counterintelligence activities in Ukraine, investigations into treason and collaboration, and the application of sanctions against traitors and collaborators.
Director of the State Bureau of Investigation Oleksii Sukhachov provided updates on investigations into illegal border crossings, particularly by individuals involved in criminal cases.
"More than enough structures and personnel are involved in guarding our state border, and they must prevent illegal crossings. Each instance of fleeing by individuals involved in criminal cases requires a clear response, conclusions, and accountability," noted the President.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko reported on strengthening border security to halt illegal channels for transporting Ukrainians.
The President also tasked the development of a plan to reinforce the border between Ukraine and Moldova along the section near the unrecognized Transnistria.
The parties also discussed the progress of implementing the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2021–2025 and the State Anti-Corruption Program for 2023–2025.
A melting pond atop Greenland’s ice sheet. Photo: Marco Tedesco
Few places afford a such a clear view of climate change as does Greenland, a frozen island in the Arctic about half the size of the United States, with a polar ice cap that’s three kilometers thick at its center. The melting of Greenland’s ice has accelerated over the past decades, and with it, rising sea levels. According to recent estimates, Greenland has lost around 270 billion tons of ice every year over the past few decades—equivalent to the weight of 26,000 Eiffel Towers—and which has contributed around 30-40% of the current global sea-level rise. Roughly half the ice loss occurs via ice calving at the ice sheet’s edge, while the other half happens through surface melting. Studying the reasons for the recent acceleration of Greenlandic surface melting and understanding the processes that control it are fundamental to improving estimates of what will happen to our oceans and the relative impact on our society.
This melting has occurred in tandem with the increase in CO2 emissions on a global scale, in stark contrast to the goals stated in the Paris Agreement, signed almost a decade ago. For this reason, understanding where and how quickly Greenland’s ice is melting is one of the keys to studying the effects of climate change on our planet, and the reason for a recent expedition to Greenland.
Marine and polar geophysicist Marco Tedesco standing on a field of blue ice. Photo: R. Antwerpen
Accompanying me on this trip is Paolo Colosio, a young but highly trained research fellow at the University of Brescia and an expert in polar remote sensing; and Elizabeth Kolbert, a journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 with her book, ‘The Sixth Extinction’. We will be staying in Kangerlussuaq, a town on the west coast with a population of around 500 people and the arrival point of international flights to Greenland. The Kangerlussuaq International Science Station (KISS) headquarters is here and will host us upon arrival. The temperature is pleasant, although experience teaches us that it could drop significantly and quickly as we get closer to the polar cap.
For previous expeditions, we have flown to the ice by helicopter. However, renting this transportation has become more challenging over the past years due to increased tourism in Greenland, which has driven up costs and reduced the availability of helicopters. This year, we reach the ice via a bumpy road built in the 1980s by a car company to test cars on the ice.
I have now exceeded a dozen expeditions to Greenland and I never tire of both the sight and the emotions of the first steps. The sound of the ice crushing under our heavy boots, the sight of the ice as far as the eye can see, simultaneously a lunar and yet familiar landscape, constantly triggering new emotions and raising scientific questions. It’s like being in the presence of an animal in danger of extinction, enormous and majestic but fragile under the attack of the tiny but powerful carbon dioxide molecules released by humans into the atmosphere. It is both a privilege and a curse to be here.
Meltwater flowing into a “moulin”—a vertical shaft that extends through a glacier and is carved by meltwater from the glacier’s surface. Photo: Marco Tedesco
New and more powerful satellites, combined with increasingly refined climate models and artificial intelligence, have recently allowed us to make giant leaps in understanding what drives melting in Greenland. Despite these advances, it is still essential to explore new technologies, so we can continue adding more pieces to the complicated climate puzzle, promote solutions and test ideas. Carrying out these studies is not a purely scientific exercise. It is essential both for the remote future (hundreds of years) and the more immediate one (10-20 years), given the disastrous physical and economic impacts to which the population and infrastructure will be exposed as the Earth morphs into a new state. We no longer even have to wait for the future to know what will happen to us in some areas of our planet: the most recent extreme weather events, floods and wildfires have already shown us how the fate of coastal residents around the world depends on what happens in Greenland. The Greenland ice sheet is a time machine that offers a photograph of the past through the memory of ice—and insight into what could happen to our planet and the cities we live in.
Drones are among the tools that make it possible to fill some of the most critical scientific gaps. They allow us to observe details within the ice that are not observable from satellites, and they offer an opportunity to discover or improve new processes that can be used within climate models. The drone we use in Greenland on this expedition collects images similar to those of a very high-resolution camera, along with other images that are invisible to our eyes but hold the secret of what is happening to the ice.
Ice covered by “metamorphosed” snow (it appears dark in infrared light though invisible to our eyes) and light-absorbing material (soot, dust, algae, etc.). Photo: Marco Tedesco
At first glance, it is logical to assume that Greenland’s increased melting is due to rising global temperatures. Indeed, that is true, but there’s more going on. One thing that significantly controls the melting of Greenland ice is the amount of solar energy absorbed by the ice, a parameter called “albedo,” from the Latin albus, or whiteness. We all know the albedo effect and the difference it makes in staying cool when wearing a white t-shirt instead of a black one on a sunny day. The same applies to Greenland, which becomes darker (lower albedo) or lighter (higher albedo) depending on melt-freeze cycles and precipitation. Heavy snowfall is equivalent to wearing a white shirt, since fresh snow favors the reflection of solar radiation, “cooling” the frozen island. Increased melting and refreezing cycles (as has been happening over the past decades) also alter the albedo: the snow absorbs more solar radiation as they occur. This phenomenon is, nevertheless, invisible to our eyes, but if we could see in the infrared region, we would see the snow becoming increasingly dark as it melts more and more. The melting and refreezing cycles further favor melting, increasing the absorption of solar radiation, in a sort of “melting cannibalism” in which the snow eliminates itself.
The Greenland ice sheet is a time machine that offers a photograph of the past through the memory of ice—and insight into what could happen to our planet and the cities we live in.
We are freezing due to the strong wind coming down from the mountain of ice behind us. The wind does not make operations easier, and the work requires patience and stubbornness to operate the instruments. It is an effortless act in the office but an Olympic athlete’s stunt once on the ice. This same wind is also complicit in another phenomenon responsible for lowering the albedo in some areas, including where we are on this expedition. This time is it visible to our eyes, in the accumulation of substances such as ash, dust and sand on the frozen surface that makes the ice darker, favoring melting. The very fine material is deposited on the ice after being eroded by surrounding rocks or is caught by raindrops or snowflakes as they fall. Solar radiation heats the microscopic particles, forming small pools of water around them. These pools grow in size and depth, merge and give rise to micro-lakes ranging from a few centimeters to a few meters in length, in which the dark material composed of algae, bacteria, meteorite dust and other resilient animals continues to promote the melting of ice.
Aerial view of crevasses near the edge of the ice sheet. Photo: Marco Tedesco
It takes longer we expect to collect the data due to the “usual” unforeseen events: drone batteries that the shipping company ruined and now run out more quickly than we expect; strong winds that limit the autonomy of the drone; the difficulty in crossing streams and waterways that are visibly swollen due to melting; fingers that can’t secure a small screw because of the cold. But in the end, we succeed. It will take months to analyze the data. Still, the good news is that preliminary analysis confirms the possibility of improving climate models and satellite data extraction using the data collected by our drone in conjunction with artificial intelligence techniques. The bad news is that our data also confirms that the glacier has thinned by several meters, in contrast with previous years when the change was much smaller.
Making things worse is the recent alteration of atmospheric circulation in the Arctic. The recent decrease in albedo has been accompanied by an increase in the amount of solar energy that reaches the ice. Changes in the Arctic atmosphere associated with climate change favor an increase in the number of cloudless days along many areas where melting is already accelerating, providing more “gas” for melting. The decrease in albedo and the increase in solar radiation reaching the ice are accomplices in a climate crime against Greenland. If melting is the speed of a train, the albedo is the slope of the train track, and solar radiation the gas we give to the train. Increasing the downhill slope and adding more gas will make the train run faster, eventually making it unstoppable.
Despite being geographically isolated and far from many densely populated places, Greenland and the melting of its ice influence our lives through sea level rise and the compounding effects of increased extreme weather, flooding and storms. As we search for solutions to reduce emissions and capture greenhouse gases, we must continue to study processes that lead to understanding how to reduce the uncertainties associated with projections of sea-level rise, ensuring that the future we predict does not arrive earlier than we anticipate, with many cities and regions unprepared to tackle the consequences. The incredible acceleration of the melting of the Greenland ice sheet holds a mirror to society and affects us all.
A stream running among frozen hills covered by refrozen snow. Photo: Marco Tedesco
Marco Tedesco is a research professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is part of the Columbia Climate School.
KULTURKAMPF
‘Rooster hairstyle,’ see-thru sleeves now banned in North Korea
List of off-limits fashion items grows to include jeans, dyed hair and even shoulder bags.
By Kim Jieun for RFA Korean 2024.08.26
Illustration by Rebel Pepper
North Korea has added the “rooster hairstyle” and blouses with see-through sleeves to its banned fashion list, saying they “obscure the image of a socialist system,” sources inside the country said.
Violators face up to six months of labor sentences, the sources told Radio Free Asia.
The new regulations were detailed in a video lecture shown to people, with hairstyle violators forced to shave their heads, a resident of the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
The bans are the latest to target the fashion choices of the North Korean people, and join a long list of other prohibited clothing that includes sleeveless shirts, jeans, hair dye, non-creased pants, T-shirts with foreign lettering, shoulder bags, and specifically for women, hair below the waist, shorts and figure-hugging tops.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae attend the inauguration ceremony of Jonwi Street in Pyongyang, May 14, 2024. (KCNA via KNS/AFP)
But another round of fashion bans seems to prevent people from having the same style as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and those around him.
Citizens found sporting the same hairstyle as Kim, or his same style of wide-legged pants, or his iconic leather trenchcoat look can also be punished.
Negative reaction
Residents were critical of the bans, noting that they don’t seem to apply to people in Kim Jong Un’s inner circle.
The supreme leader’s daughter Kim Ju Ae recently appeared in a blouse with semi-transparent sleeves.
And Hyon Song Wol, the deputy department director of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party, who often appears at events alongside Kim, has sported the “rooster hairstyle,” in which long hair is tied atop the head with bangs covering the forehead and one eye.
That ordinary citizens aren’t allowed to wear these styles is a double standard, residents said.
“Residents protested, saying, ‘You can’t wear hair in a bun, you can’t cover your forehead and eyes with your bangs. Are people machines?’” the North Hamgyong resident said.
Another resident from the northwestern province of North Pyongan said that people there took issue with the ban on transparent-sleeved blouses.
“Even the leader’s daughter appeared wearing see-through clothes,” he said. “People protested and asked why wearing them would be anti-socialist.”
Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong, Joshua Lipes, and Malcolm Foster.
Opinion
Applying the moral wages of Watergate 50 years on
What lessons might we draw from that scandal for our political dilemma today?
President Richard Nixon gestures toward transcripts of White House tapes after announcing he would turn them over to House impeachment investigators and make them public in April of 1974. (AP Photo)
(RNS) — This summer we remember a political tragedy from 50 years ago that many at the time considered the greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. What became known as the Watergate scandal began a series of questionable and illegal actions during the Richard Nixon administration that first came to light with the arrest of five burglars at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington in June 1972.
Evidence would reveal that the burglary, at a hotel and office complex called the Watergate, was part of a larger spying and sabotage component of the Nixon reelection effort, financed by campaign funds.
President Nixon tried to stop the discovery of the full scope of this activity, telling his aides to order the FBI to limit its inquiry. But in July of 1973, a secret White House recording system was uncovered and when the relevant tapes were released by court order, the extent of Nixon’s involvement was revealed. Months of Senate hearings, followed by an impeachment inquiry by the House Judiciary Committee, led to three articles of impeachment in July 1974.
With revelations from the last tapes delivered on Aug. 5 of that year, Nixon’s support in Congress vanished. Nixon announced his resignation on Aug. 8 and was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford, who pardoned Nixon on Sept. 8, 1974.
A crowd outside a Pittsburgh hotel where President Gerald Ford was addressing a transportation conference holds signs protesting his decision to grant a pardon to former President Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while chief executive. (RNS archive photo. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Historical Society)
Throughout U.S. history, political scandals have exposed corruption and misdeeds in nearly every presidential administration. Something different took place, however, in Watergate. More was at stake than isolated conflicts of interest or political dirty tricks. The very processes of our nation and the foundation on which the country stands were at stake. The tools of government designed for use against national enemies were used against U.S. citizens, and instruments of the intelligence community were used against another branch of government to stop an investigation.
At the time, it was common to hear that partisan politics were behind the outcries, or that much was being made over little more than run-of-the-mill political chicanery. But as records and transcripts from the White House tapes continued to come out, it became clear that it was not politics or the press that brought down a president. It was criminal evidence.
What can people of faith learn from this chapter in our history?
One thing missing through the course of the Watergate saga was a sense that the participants felt any moral accountability. Jeb Stuart Magruder, a Nixon aide who went to jail for his role in the scandal and later became a Presbyterian pastor, told Watergate Judge John Sirica, “Somewhere between my ambitions and my ideals I lost my ethical compass.”
One of the most prominent witnesses at the Senate hearings was White House counsel John W. Dean, who said, “Slowly, steadily, I would climb toward the moral abyss of the President’s inner circle until I finally fell into it, thinking I had made it to the top just as I began to realize I had actually touched bottom.” He aptly titled his account of those years “Blind Ambition.”
But Watergate also provides examples that new life can come to those who repent. The Boston Globe wrote at the time about Charles Colson, a Nixon aide willing to do virtually anything for his boss, “If Mr. Colson can repent his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody.” Yes, that is truly what many people of faith believe. There is hope for everyone. The new life and purpose found by many, though not all, of the Watergate participants bears witness to this reality.
Billy Graham was the presidential “court evangelical” long before historian John Fea coined it in reference to Donald Trump’s advisory committee of Christians. Graham had benefited from — and been used by — presidents well before Nixon. In Watergate, Graham faced the greatest crisis of his own credibility because of his staunch defense of Nixon. In one afternoon, Graham read all of the transcripts published by The New York Times and became “physically, retchingly sick.” As he examined his own soul, he said, “I had to say with John Wesley, ‘I looked at my soul and it looked like hell.’”
President Richard Nixon, right, and Billy Graham bow their heads in prayer during the president’s visit to the Billy Graham East Tennessee Crusade at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1970. (RNS archive photo)
One lesson that came from Watergate was a new appreciation for persons of unshakable integrity, a virtue our culture often regards as less important than superficial success or status. Why did so many involved choose not to speak out or simply resign? Had they no lively sense of right and wrong? What if once in those exchanges in the released transcripts somebody had said, “This is wrong” or simply asked, “Is this right?” instead of “Can we get away with it?” Judge Sirica was correct to observe that just a little honesty and character would have stopped this awful thing at the very beginning.
If there are any heroes in Watergate, they are found in people who simply did their duty in the way they sensed to be right: Frank Wills, a night watchman at the Watergate who was so good at his job that he spotted tape the burglars had used to hold open a door. Sam Ervin, a “country lawyer” senator from North Carolina, who could quote from both the Constitution and the Bible “by heart.” Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus, an attorney general and deputy attorney general who resigned rather than carry out a presidential order to fire the special prosecutor on the case. Young reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, along with their courageous editor Ben Bradlee and publisher Katharine Graham, exposed what too many were attempting to hide. These are among those we may still remember and honor.
When President Nixon resigned in August 1974, I was a pastor in Mississippi. I wrote these words to my congregation: “Seldom do we value or even try to understand the person who acts on the basis of conscience if we personally disagree with his or her action. How wonderful it would be if we could really believe that the sun shines on nothing more beautiful or majestic than a person of integrity and principle. If this were the case, then we would reserve our highest honors for those who say with Job, ‘Till I die, I will not violate my integrity.’”
What might all this mean for our political dilemma today? The actions and language of some political figures today make the villains of Watergate seem almost moral by comparison — their attempted cover-up at least acknowledged a sense of guilt. Bipartisan action when confronted with evident corruption appears to belong to another time.
Perhaps we would do well to remember some words from former New York Times executive editor Turner Catledge about Nixon after Watergate, “We should have paid more attention to the kind of man he was.”
That’s something about which people of faith have traditionally cared deeply.
(Lovett H. Weems Jr. is professor emeritus of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and senior consultant at the seminary’s Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)
