The Week in Context

Staying up to date on all things sustainability can be challenging. That's why we've put together The Week in Context, a summary of the most noteworthy headlines across people, planet, and business.

Legal battles over climate change are already paying off?– Vox?

Climate change-related lawsuits have doubled in number since 2017. Of the 2,180 cases as of the end of 2022, 70% are from the United States. Legal strategies have evolved as climate change impacts become undeniable, with cases now including demands for compensation for climate damages, actions against fossil fuel projects, and recognition of the human rights implications of climate change. These lawsuits are exposing disinformation campaigns by fossil fuel companies and could lead to new policy measures and corporate behavior changes. While litigation complements policy and international cooperation, it won’t replace the need for collective action to address the global climate crisis.

Signs show we’re dangerously near some climate tipping points?– CBC

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an ocean current responsible for warming Western Europe, is close to collapse. The AMOC, powered by sinking dense saltwater in the North Atlantic, could stop circulating heat due to an influx of lighter freshwater from rapidly melting ice in Greenland. A new study suggests that England and France may experience a sudden shift to a colder climate in the absence of this crucial current. This collapse is predicted to happen between 2025 and 2095, much sooner than previous estimates. Climate tipping points like this could lead to irreversible changes and impacts, such as extreme weather, food production challenges, and shifting rain and snow patterns. Governments and planners need to consider these possibilities and work to address human activities that contribute to tipping points.

Divest or engage? Some investors are shifting their stance on fossil fuels companies?– GreenBiz?

The fossil fuel sector's decline is inevitable, but its resistance to change harms itself and humanity. Oil powerhouses like Shell, despite having opportunities for cleaner transitions, have prioritized shareholder dividends and scaled back climate targets. These decisions have led some investors to divest, choosing instead to put their money behind companies taking climate action seriously. Sustainable investing aims to redefine finance's long-term lens, favoring clean energy for creating lasting value. Fossil fuel companies that fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete in the future economy.

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