From ‘we can’t’ to ‘we can, and we are.’

Dear Stubborn Optimist,

With plastics the next frontier of growth for the fossil fuel industry, it’s no surprise that many lobbyists were present at the global negotiations for a plastics treaty in Canada over the past couple of weeks. Plastic has been found everywhere in the environment: from inside our bodies, including in human placentas and mother’s milk, to the top of the highest mountains and the bottom of the deepest seas. Did you know that a typical one-litre bottle of water has 240,000 plastic fragments in it?

We’re outraged that some of the scientists calling out the dangers of this ubiquitous pollution say they were harassed by fossil fuel industry lobbyists at the discussions. Despite this, some reports claimed there was progress on the text of what will eventually become a global treaty to limit plastic pollution in the environment. Others called out the fact that governments could not agree on including any reference to plastic production or polymers in the intersessional work.?

The next set of these critical talks is scheduled for later this year, and of great interest to the climate community. Even aside from all the microplastics accumulating in our bodies, rivers, soils, seas and air, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production currently account for around 5% of all global carbon emissions, and are set to rise dramatically in a business as usual scenario.

Meanwhile, as Azerbaijan continues its preparations for COP29 later this year, the country’s President recently spoke about the nation’s plans to increase gas production, describing its abundant fossil fuels as a “gift from God.” The comments are worryingly incongruent given that all Parties agreed to “transition away from” fossil fuels in Dubai last November. They also reflect the contradictory and complex reality we are living through today. Fossil fuels are still playing a key role in the energy system and are making a lot of people a lot of money amidst the accelerating climate crisis, even as renewable energies continue their spectacular rise.?

That spectacular rise is no more evident than in China, where new solar additions were 37% higher and new wind installations were up 50% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with the same period of 2023. If this trend continues many are predicting that global emissions from the power sector will fall this year, marking a key moment in the energy transition that is by now completely unstoppable.?

OUTRAGE + OPTIMISM: ON THE CALENDAR?

??????We’re five years old ??????! We celebrated half a decade on the airwaves last Thursday with birthday cake and candles. We heard our hosts’ brilliant wishes for the next few years of Outrage + Optimism! If you missed it, tune in here.?

This week: If you’ve got questions about how you can help the planet in your daily life, the Anti Dread Climate Podcast has the answers. Check out our feed drop with them today and join us for your regular dose of Outrage + Optimism with the hosts wherever you get your podcasts later this week.

In case you missed it: Our Earth Day special with climate activist Xiye Bastida is packed full of Earthly wisdom. Here we bring you the full, unedited version of the conversation recorded for the recent mini series Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection, co-hosted by Christiana Figueres and Isabel Cavelier. This is a wonderful and moving insight into Xiye’s story of nature, on how to slow down, and how we might keep past and future generations in our minds - and hearts.?

If you like this ‘dose of Outrage + Optimism’ and haven’t already, do sign up to our full bi-weekly email newsletter to make sure you’re not just informed about the climate crisis, but also inspired to be part of the changes we all need to make.

In this week's email newsletter you’ll find:

?? Two years to tip the balance - an insights pack showing HOW we shift our mindset from ‘we can’t’ to ‘we can, and we are’.

?? The important work of the World Weather Attribution (WWA) team

?? Tips from the team: what to watch, listen and learn from this week

Thank you for reading our newsletter.

With stubborn optimism,

The Outrage + Optimism team.

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