{"id":17625,"date":"2023-12-19T10:58:49","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T10:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/?p=17625"},"modified":"2025-01-10T15:55:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:55:07","slug":"what-happened-at-cop28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/19\/what-happened-at-cop28\/","title":{"rendered":"What happened at COP28?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What Happened at COP28?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"People holding signs spelling CO2, representing carbon capture for peatland burial. Sutherland, Scotland, July 2012.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01400753-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"People holding signs spelling CO2, representing carbon capture for peatland burial. Sutherland, Scotland, July 2012.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings are annual climate summits, where representatives from member countries come together to negotiate and make decisions to combat climate change. The most well-known outcomes of the COP meetings are the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 at COP3, and the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 at COP21. And now, COP28 joins their ranks as one of the most important climate summits in history. Representatives from almost 200 Parties convened in Dubai, closing the conference in Dec 2023 with a decision on the world\u2019s first \u2018global stocktake\u2019, signalling the \u201cbeginning of the end\u201d for the fossil fuel era. The overarching objective of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5\u00b0C\u2014the threshold established as part of the Paris agreement\u2014is to be achieved by tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, while phasing down \u2018unabated\u2019 coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Since the start of the industrial revolution, there has already been an increase in global temperatures of around 1\u00b0C, largely induced by the release of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Thermometer taking the air temperature as part of a study to measure the speed of the Russell Glacier near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591482-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Thermometer taking the air temperature as part of a study to measure the speed of the Russell Glacier near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on drifting ice floe. Svalbard, Norway.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01663499-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on drifting ice floe. Svalbard, Norway.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p><strong>How do human activities cause climate change?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When we burn fossil fuels to heat our homes, power our transportation networks, or generate electricity, gases such as carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere; carbon that has been locked in the ground for millions of years. The sources of fossil fuels are ancient living organisms, such as trees or animals. Layers of rock crushed their bodies after death, creating oil, coal and gas. Energy is produced when these materials are burned, helping us generate electricity. But there is an adverse side-effect to this process. Greenhouse gasses act like a blanket in the earth&#8217;s atmosphere, trapping the sun&#8217;s heat and preventing it from escaping back into space. As a result, the earth&#8217;s atmosphere warms, dramatically affecting our climate.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Coal seam running out from the entrance of a former mine shaft at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site along the shore of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. May 2017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01575741-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Coal seam running out from the entrance of a former mine shaft at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site along the shore of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. May 2017\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Coal seam running out from the entrance of a former mine shaft at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site along the shore of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. May 2017<\/strong> by Nick Hawkins<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Fractal colours in spilled oil on pavement, Seahouses, Northumberland, UK. January, 2022.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01720585-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fractal colours in spilled oil on pavement, Seahouses, Northumberland, UK. January, 2022.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Fractal colours in spilled oil on pavement, Seahouses, Northumberland, UK. January, 2022.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Burning off impure gas in Gazprom&#039;s Yamsavey gas fields near Nadym. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia, 2000.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01283223-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Burning off impure gas in Gazprom&#039;s Yamsavey gas fields near Nadym. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia, 2000.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Burning off impure gas in Gazprom's Yamsavey gas fields near Nadym. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia, 2000.<\/strong> by Bryan and Cherry Alexander<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Sunset over Fawley oil refinery viewed from Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, UK, October 2010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01363129-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sunset over Fawley oil refinery viewed from Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, UK, October 2010\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Sunset over Fawley oil refinery viewed from Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, UK, October 2010<\/strong> by Peter Lewis<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Traffic congestion, Beijing, China\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01090106-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Traffic congestion, Beijing, China\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Traffic congestion, Beijing, China<\/strong> by David Tipling<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Young female Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos beringianus) playing with oil drum, Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka, Far East Russia. May. These bears can develop addiction to sniffing the aviation fuel left behind in oil drums in the reserve.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-768x531.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-320x221.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-375x259.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-600x415.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-900x622.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01527912-153x106.jpg 153w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Young female Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos beringianus) playing with oil drum, Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka, Far East Russia. May. These bears can develop addiction to sniffing the aviation fuel left behind in oil drums in the reserve.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Young female Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos beringianus) playing with oil drum, Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka, Far East Russia. May. These bears can develop addiction to sniffing the aviation fuel left behind in oil drums in the reserve.<\/strong> by Igor Shpilenok<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/stock-photo\/drygalski-glacier-which-receded-300-metres-between-november-2008-and-2009\/search\/detail-0_01313858.html\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01313858-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/stock-photo\/drygalski-glacier-which-receded-300-metres-between-november-2008-and-2009\/search\/detail-0_01313858.html\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/stock-photo\/drygalski-glacier-which-receded-300-metres-between-november-2008-and-2009\/search\/detail-0_01313858.html<\/strong> by Bryan and Cherry Alexander<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>The burning of fossil fuel is not the only source of greenhouse gasses though. Peat harvesting, waste management, melting permafrost and animal agriculture all contribute a large amount of methane (an even more potent greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. Animal agriculture is also a leading cause of deforestation in places like South America. Large swathes of land are cleared to create pasture or to make room for soya crops (<span class=\"ILfuVd\"><span class=\"hgKElc\">almost 80% of the world&#8217;s soybean crop is fed to livestock)<\/span><\/span>. Deforestation accelerates climate change by releasing stored carbon when trees are cut down and burned. Additionally, it diminishes the trees&#8217; role as carbon sinks, removing their capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2. The carbon costs of transporting soybeans internationally also contributes to climate change in its own way.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Peat blocks dug from peat bog and laid out to dry, Achill Island, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-375x251.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-900x602.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01181255-158x106.jpg 158w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Peat blocks dug from peat bog and laid out to dry, Achill Island, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Peat blocks dug from peat bog and laid out to dry, Achill Island, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland.<\/strong> by Adrian Davies<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Exposed melting permafrost in the arctic archipelego of Svalbard, Norway. June 2016.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656652-1-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Exposed melting permafrost in the arctic archipelego of Svalbard, Norway. June 2016.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Exposed melting permafrost in the arctic archipelego of Svalbard, Norway. June 2016.<\/strong> by Jeff Vanuga<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Adult Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) taking refuge and resting in icy eroding permafrost while waiting for fall freeze up, 1002 coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA. October 2017.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01698450-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Adult Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) taking refuge and resting in icy eroding permafrost while waiting for fall freeze up, 1002 coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA. October 2017.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Adult Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) taking refuge and resting in icy eroding permafrost while waiting for fall freeze up, 1002 coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA. October 2017.<\/strong> by Steven Kazlowski<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial view of cattle grazing on pasture land taken from Amazon upland (Terra-firme) rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216912-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of cattle grazing on pasture land taken from Amazon upland (Terra-firme) rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Aerial view of cattle grazing on pasture land taken from Amazon upland (Terra-firme) rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.<\/strong> by Luiz Claudio Marigo<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial view of deforestation to create cattle pasture land from amazon upland rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216963-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of deforestation to create cattle pasture land from amazon upland rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Aerial view of deforestation to create cattle pasture land from amazon upland rainforest, Rond\u00f4nia State, Brazil.<\/strong> by Luiz Claudio Marigo<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial landscape showing rainforest destruction \/deforestation, Amazon basin, Brazil.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01656047-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial landscape showing rainforest destruction \/deforestation, Amazon basin, Brazil.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Aerial landscape showing rainforest destruction \/deforestation, Amazon basin, Brazil.<\/strong> by Konrad Wothe<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Yearling Hereford cow, Herefordshire, UK, June\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01662265-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Yearling Hereford cow, Herefordshire, UK, June\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Yearling Hereford cow, Herefordshire, UK, June<\/strong> by Phil Savoie<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"&#039;Stop Methane Mining on Barton Moss&#039; sign on Chat Moss peat bog, to protest planning permission for fracking and coal bed methane mining, Manchester, England, UK. November 2013.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01597046-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"&#039;Stop Methane Mining on Barton Moss&#039; sign on Chat Moss peat bog, to protest planning permission for fracking and coal bed methane mining, Manchester, England, UK. November 2013.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>'Stop Methane Mining on Barton Moss' sign on Chat Moss peat bog, to protest planning permission for fracking and coal bed methane mining, Manchester, England, UK. November 2013.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial view of Soya bean plantations created from deforestation of rainforest, near Vilhena town, Southeastern Rond\u00f4nia State, Western Brazil.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01216965-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of Soya bean plantations created from deforestation of rainforest, near Vilhena town, Southeastern Rond\u00f4nia State, Western Brazil.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Aerial view of Soya bean plantations created from deforestation of rainforest, near Vilhena town, Southeastern Rond\u00f4nia State, Western Brazil.<\/strong> by Luiz Claudio Marigo<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) at surface with ship travelling in the shipping lane along the coast of Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01535991-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) at surface with ship travelling in the shipping lane along the coast of Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) at surface with ship travelling in the shipping lane along the coast of Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean.<\/strong> by Tony Wu<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>Climate change can have dramatic and worrying implications for both humans and the natural world. Droughts, sea level rise, flooding, increased storms, wildfires, melting sea ice, intense heat and ocean acidification are just some of the ways that climate change is currently affecting our planet. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, climate change threatens 10,967 species, and the institute for Economics and Peace predicted that there may be 1.2 million refugees by 2050.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Migrant family from the drought region of NE Brazil\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01130730-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Migrant family from the drought region of NE Brazil\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Migrant family from the drought region of NE Brazil<\/strong> by Luiz Claudio Marigo<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Animal skull on cracked earth, dry landscape. Namibia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-375x251.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-600x402.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-900x603.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01133741-158x106.jpg 158w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Animal skull on cracked earth, dry landscape. Namibia.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Animal skull on cracked earth, dry landscape. Namibia.<\/strong> by Tony Heald<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Flooding in Rothay park after torrential rains caused the River Rothay to break its banks, Ambleside, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693170-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Flooding in Rothay park after torrential rains caused the River Rothay to break its banks, Ambleside, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Flooding in Rothay park after torrential rains caused the River Rothay to break its banks, Ambleside, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Ana Jo (21), first and fourth grade teacher, walking with her sister Dotinha Antonio (19) through floodwater, after Cyclone Idai, to reach their family home, carrying 17kg food parcels on their heads . Outskirts of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. March 2019.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01693081-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Ana Jo (21), first and fourth grade teacher, walking with her sister Dotinha Antonio (19) through floodwater, after Cyclone Idai,  to reach their family home, carrying 17kg food parcels on their heads . Outskirts of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. March 2019.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Ana Jo (21), first and fourth grade teacher, walking with her sister Dotinha Antonio (19) through floodwater, after Cyclone Idai,  to reach their family home, carrying 17kg food parcels on their heads . Outskirts of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. March 2019.<\/strong> by Jen Guyton<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Firefighter walking in front of billowing smoke and flames from the Deer Park fire engulfing the Sage brush (Artemisia sp.) landscape, in which biologists say 4 or 5 lekks were destroyed, Idaho, USA. August, 2017.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01710796-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Firefighter walking in front of billowing smoke and flames from the Deer Park fire engulfing the Sage brush (Artemisia sp.) landscape, in which biologists say 4 or 5 lekks were destroyed, Idaho, USA. August, 2017.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Firefighter walking in front of billowing smoke and flames from the Deer Park fire engulfing the Sage brush (Artemisia sp.) landscape, in which biologists say 4 or 5 lekks were destroyed, Idaho, USA. August, 2017.<\/strong> by Charlie Hamilton-James<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Bushfire in Bardenas Reales Natural Park, Navarre, Spain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01707433-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Bushfire in Bardenas Reales Natural Park, Navarre, Spain\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Bushfire in Bardenas Reales Natural Park, Navarre, Spain<\/strong> by Eduardo Blanco<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Common gorse (Ulex europaeus) charred remains of bushes within a 5 hectare patch of heathland badly burnt by a major fire, likely caused by a disposable barbecue found at an unauthorised camp after a long, hot, dry period with record high temperatures above 35C, the driest summer in Southern England since 1935, Studland Heath, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, UK, 19th August 2022.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704748-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Common gorse (Ulex europaeus) charred remains of bushes within a 5 hectare patch of heathland badly burnt by a major fire, likely caused by a disposable barbecue found at an unauthorised camp after a long, hot, dry period with record high temperatures above 35C, the driest summer in Southern England since 1935, Studland Heath, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, UK, 19th August 2022.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Common gorse (Ulex europaeus) charred remains of bushes within a 5 hectare patch of heathland badly burnt by a major fire, likely caused by a disposable barbecue found at an unauthorised camp after a long, hot, dry period with record high temperatures above 35C, the driest summer in Southern England since 1935, Studland Heath, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, UK, 19th August 2022.<\/strong> by Nick Upton<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Very low water levels and exposed, cracked mud at Beacons Reservoir after prolonged period of drought, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees the previous week, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. 12th August, 2022.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01704315-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Very low water levels and exposed, cracked mud at Beacons Reservoir after prolonged period of drought, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees the previous week, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. 12th August, 2022.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Very low water levels and exposed, cracked mud at Beacons Reservoir after prolonged period of drought, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees the previous week, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. 12th August, 2022.<\/strong> by Ben Osborne<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"View of floodwaters across farmland at the head of Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01692456-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"View of floodwaters across farmland at the head of Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>View of floodwaters across farmland at the head of Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. October, 2021.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Flooded meanders of Halliste River, aerial view. Soomaa National Park, Parnumaa, Western Estonia. October 2017.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01614889-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Flooded meanders of Halliste River, aerial view. Soomaa National Park, Parnumaa, Western Estonia. October 2017.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Flooded meanders of Halliste River, aerial view. Soomaa National Park, Parnumaa, Western Estonia. October 2017.<\/strong> by Sven Zacek<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>Since the Paris Agreement at COP21, the world has been working towards a five year \u2018inflection point\u2019 known as the Global Stocktake. This is a report on how countries have been measuring up to the national contributions they proposed eight years ago. A report published by the United Nations implied that nations were not meeting their targets and the earth looked set to warm by 1.5C degrees in the next century.<\/p>\n<p><strong>So what exactly was decided at COP28?<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Plenary working session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Climate Change Conference, Bali, Indonesia. December 14th, 2007.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01728618-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Plenary working session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Climate Change Conference, Bali, Indonesia. December 14th, 2007.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>After a week of negotiations and days of discussion, an agreement was finally made, which stated:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>In order to reach the goal of 1.5C, there needs to be a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 43% by 2030, with a transition away from fossil fuel use.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The international community agreed that there is a need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, especially CO2. The majority of CO2 produced comes from the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy in power stations. The fastest way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere would be to stop burning carbon sources. Carbon Capture technology is capable of removing CO2 from the atmosphere and there have been plans to use such technology in power plants to ensure that less carbon escapes the atmosphere, but there are suggestions that it may never be able to capture as much gas as we currently produce. The most logical and realistic option currently is to remove carbon from the energy supply. It has been decided that fossil fuel use must peak soon, but it is acknowledged that less developed nations may take longer to do so.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Drax power station in Yorkshire, the largest emitter of CO2 in Europe. Yorkshire, England, UK.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591572-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Drax power station in Yorkshire,  the largest emitter of CO2 in Europe. Yorkshire, England, UK.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Drax power station in Yorkshire,  the largest emitter of CO2 in Europe. Yorkshire, England, UK.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Polluted emissions from a gas fired power plant in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK. January 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591788-1-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Polluted emissions from a gas fired power plant in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK. January 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Polluted emissions from a gas fired power plant in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK. January 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Emissions from a passenger ferry burning marine diesel, which is one of the filthiest most polluting fuels.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591785-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Emissions from a passenger ferry burning marine diesel, which is one of the filthiest most polluting fuels.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Emissions from a passenger ferry burning marine diesel, which is one of the filthiest most polluting fuels.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Emissions from a Tata steel works in Ijmuiden, Netherlands.May 2013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591806-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Emissions from a Tata steel works in Ijmuiden, Netherlands.May 2013\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Emissions from a Tata steel works in Ijmuiden, Netherlands.May 2013<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Petrochemical plant at sunrise, Teeside, UK.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-150x108.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-320x230.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-375x270.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-600x431.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-900x647.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591802-147x106.jpg 147w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Petrochemical plant at sunrise, Teeside, UK.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Petrochemical plant at sunrise, Teeside, UK.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Emissions from the Bluescope steel works at Port Kembla, Wollongong, Australia. February 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591789-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Emissions from the Bluescope steel works at Port Kembla, Wollongong, Australia. February 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Emissions from the Bluescope steel works at Port Kembla, Wollongong, Australia. February 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Advancing Climate Finance<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Climate finance commanded the spotlight at the conference, being hailed as the &#8220;great enabler of climate action.&#8221; Currently, there is more investment in fossil fuel projects than there is in projects dedicated to renewable energy production. This has been outlined as something that must change.<br \/>\nCOP28 was marked by a series of fresh financial commitments. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) received a welcome boost, reaching a record USD12.8 billion from pledges by 31 countries and counting. Eight donor governments committed over USD174 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund. Additionally, new pledges of nearly USD188 million were made to the Adaptation Fund. These strides represent definite progress towards the trillions ultimately required to assist developing countries in their clean energy transitions.<br \/>\nIt is now cheaper in some cases to use renewable energy resources\u2014 including wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and hydroelectric energy\u2014than it is to use more polluting ones. And all of these technologies are becoming more and more efficient. The COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge included the call to triple renewable energy capacity globally and double energy efficiency improvements by 2030.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-8' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Wind farm at Sibster Burn, near Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland. October 2020.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01682320-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Wind farm at Sibster Burn, near Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland. October 2020.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Wind farm at Sibster Burn, near Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland. October 2020.<\/strong> by David Noton<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Concentrated solar power plant with a molten salt heat storage system, the first in the world that is producing energy 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Seville, Spain. January, 2019. SajtoFoto (PressPhoto) Hungary Photo Competition 2021 Category Winner - Nature series. 5 of 8.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01688726-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Concentrated solar power plant with a molten salt heat storage system, the first in the world that is producing energy 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Seville, Spain. January, 2019. SajtoFoto (PressPhoto) Hungary Photo Competition 2021 Category Winner - Nature series. 5 of 8.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Concentrated solar power plant with a molten salt heat storage system, the first in the world that is producing energy 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Seville, Spain. January, 2019. SajtoFoto (PressPhoto) Hungary Photo Competition 2021 Category Winner - Nature series. 5 of 8.<\/strong> by Milan Radisics<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Heliostats, large reflective mirrors directing sunlight to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. June 2011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596707-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Heliostats, large reflective mirrors directing sunlight to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. June 2011\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Heliostats, large reflective mirrors directing sunlight to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. June 2011<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Wymeswold Solar Farm the largest solar farm in the UK at 34 MWp, based on an old disused second world war airfield, Leicestershire, UK. It contains 130,000 panels and covers 150 acres. September 2013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596580-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Wymeswold Solar Farm the largest solar farm in the UK at 34 MWp, based on an old disused second world war airfield, Leicestershire, UK. It contains 130,000 panels and covers 150 acres. September 2013\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Wymeswold Solar Farm the largest solar farm in the UK at 34 MWp, based on an old disused second world war airfield, Leicestershire, UK. It contains 130,000 panels and covers 150 acres. September 2013<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Sunflower next to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. May 2011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596719-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sunflower next to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. May 2011\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Sunflower next to the PS20 solar thermal tower, the only such working solar tower currently in the world. Sanlucar La Mayor, Andalucia, Spain. May 2011<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"has develped as a solar hot spot, with the majority of the houses powered by solar panels and is the largest CO2-neutral residential area in the world. The City of the Sun generates 10 MW of energy from wind and solar power, and uses natural water-filtration systems. May 2013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596574-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sun city a suberb of Heerhugowaard in the Netherlands that has develped as a solar hot spot, with the majority of the houses powered by solar panels and is the largest CO2-neutral residential area in the world. The City of the Sun generates 10 MW of energy from wind and solar power, and uses natural water-filtration systems. May 2013\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>has develped as a solar hot spot, with the majority of the houses powered by solar panels and is the largest CO2-neutral residential area in the world. The City of the Sun generates 10 MW of energy from wind and solar power, and uses natural water-filtration systems. May 2013<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Heliostats reflecting sunlight onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant, the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596524-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Heliostats reflecting sunlight onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant, the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Heliostats reflecting sunlight onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant, the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Sun rays reflected onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant, the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596522-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sun rays reflected onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant,  the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Sun rays reflected onto solar tower at Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant,  the largest solar thermal plant in the world. It covers 4,000 acres of desert and produce 392 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Mojave Desert, California, USA. September 2014.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"A wind farm near La Calahorra in Andalucia, Spain. May 2011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596127-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"A wind farm near La Calahorra in Andalucia, Spain. May 2011\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>A wind farm near La Calahorra in Andalucia, Spain. May 2011<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Wind turbines, Collet dels Feixos, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, May 2013.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01512975-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Wind turbines, Collet dels Feixos, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, May 2013.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Wind turbines, Collet dels Feixos, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, May 2013.<\/strong> by Juan Manuel Borrero<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Marengo Wind Facility near Dayton. Washington, USA. August 2011.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01423714-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Marengo Wind Facility near Dayton. Washington, USA. August 2011.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Marengo Wind Facility near Dayton. Washington, USA. August 2011.<\/strong> by Kirkendall-spring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Gas effluence pouring out of smoke stacks at nuclear power plant, upper Ohio River, Ohio\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-375x251.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-900x602.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00201728-158x106.jpg 158w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Gas effluence pouring out of smoke stacks at nuclear power plant, upper Ohio River, Ohio\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Gas effluence pouring out of smoke stacks at nuclear power plant, upper Ohio River, Ohio<\/strong> by Gerry Ellis<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Steam rising from large thermally powered Wairakei Power Station, North Island, New Zealand\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-150x102.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-768x522.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-320x218.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-375x255.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-600x408.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-900x612.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00463435-156x106.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Steam rising from large thermally powered Wairakei Power Station, North Island, New Zealand\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Steam rising from large thermally powered Wairakei Power Station, North Island, New Zealand<\/strong> by Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Svartsengi geothermal power plant, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_00620589-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Svartsengi geothermal power plant, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Svartsengi geothermal power plant, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland<\/strong> by Cyril Ruoso <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Hydro electric dam on Loch Laggan, Scotland, UK\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01093905-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Hydro electric dam on Loch Laggan, Scotland, UK\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Hydro electric dam on Loch Laggan, Scotland, UK<\/strong> by Pete Cairns<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Cooling towers of Nuclear power station with farmland and straw bales in the foreground, Cattenom, France\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01275224-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Cooling towers of Nuclear power station with farmland and straw bales in the foreground, Cattenom, France\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Cooling towers of Nuclear power station with farmland and straw bales in the foreground, Cattenom, France<\/strong> by Michel Poinsignon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Torness nuclear power station. Lothian, Scotland, August 2012.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01413183-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Torness nuclear power station. Lothian, Scotland, August 2012.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Torness nuclear power station. Lothian, Scotland, August 2012.<\/strong> by Chris Mattison<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Cooling towers, Tihange Nuclear Power Station at Huy \/ Hoei, Liege \/ Luik, Belgium, August 2015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01522035-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Cooling towers, Tihange Nuclear Power Station at Huy \/ Hoei, Liege \/ Luik, Belgium, August 2015\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Cooling towers, Tihange Nuclear Power Station at Huy \/ Hoei, Liege \/ Luik, Belgium, August 2015<\/strong> by Philippe Clement<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead hydro electric plant, which is at very low levels following a four year drought. Border of Nevada and Arizona, USA.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591326-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead hydro electric plant, which is at very low levels following a four year drought. Border of Nevada and Arizona, USA.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead hydro electric plant, which is at very low levels following a four year drought. Border of Nevada and Arizona, USA.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Iznajar hydro electric power station near Antequera in Andalucia, Spain. June 2011.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591330-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Iznajar hydro electric power station near Antequera in Andalucia, Spain. June 2011.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Iznajar hydro electric power station near Antequera in Andalucia, Spain. June 2011.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Water flowing out of the Karahnjukar dam and Halslon reservoir, a massive new controversial hydro electricity project in North East Iceland. It was created by damming the Jokuls a Dal river and flooding a large area of wilderness. Iceland, September 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591337-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Water flowing out of the Karahnjukar dam and Halslon reservoir, a massive new controversial hydro electricity project in North East Iceland. It was created by damming the Jokuls a Dal river and flooding a large area of wilderness.  Iceland, September 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Water flowing out of the Karahnjukar dam and Halslon reservoir, a massive new controversial hydro electricity project in North East Iceland. It was created by damming the Jokuls a Dal river and flooding a large area of wilderness.  Iceland, September 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591624-1-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. It is Scotlands only oil refinery<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A reduction in methane emissions by 2030.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With over 150 nations endorsing the Global Methane Pledge initiated by the United States and European Union, it&#8217;s evident that numerous countries recognize the climate and health advantages of mitigating this greenhouse gas. China has recently pledged to incorporate methane reduction in its upcoming national climate plan, while the US has introduced fresh methane regulations. The Global Methane Pledge partners have committed over $1 billion in new grant funding since COP27, more than triple the existing levels. This funding is set to catalyze substantial investments aimed at achieving a minimum 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>Cutting methane emissions would involve a reduction in animal agriculture, which is the source of a quarter of all emissions.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-9' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01460034-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Grazing cows in feedlot, grassless enclosures where they are fed high energy grains to fatten them up prior to slaughter, Texas, USA, July.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01460034-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01460034-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01460034-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01460034-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Grazing cows in feedlot, grassless enclosures where they are fed high energy grains to fatten them up prior to slaughter, Texas, USA, July.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Large dairy farm near Haifa, Israel. June 2018.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01618602-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Large dairy farm near Haifa, Israel. June 2018.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Unabated use of coal must be phased down<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Concrete strategies for the early retirement of coal power plants are in play, coupled with increasing global acknowledgment of the imperative to cease new unabated coal initiatives. Taking more decisive actions in this direction is crucial for aligning with the 1.5\u00b0C target. The Powering Past Coal Alliance is committed to intensifying efforts in the coming year, to ensure we don\u2019t miss the window to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.<span style=\"color: #ed0000;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-10' class='gallery gallery-17625 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Lightning strike over South Africa&#039;s largest coal processing plant. Sasol, Mpumalanga, South Africa, November, 2016.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01685268-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Lightning strike over South Africa&#039;s largest coal processing plant. Sasol, Mpumalanga, South Africa, November, 2016.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Lightning strike over South Africa&#039;s largest coal processing plant. Sasol, Mpumalanga, South Africa, November, 2016.<\/strong> by Paul Williams<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591575-1-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Coal on the docks in Hull, on the Humber Estuary, Yorkshire, England, UK. August.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591595-1-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>The Ineos oil refinery at Grangemouth in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK. October 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Ratcliffe on Soar coal fired power station near Nottingham, England, UK, December 2010.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591618-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Ratcliffe on Soar coal fired power station near Nottingham, England, UK, December 2010.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Ratcliffe on Soar coal fired power station near Nottingham, England, UK, December 2010.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Low grade coal from an open cast coal mine near Heihe, Northern China, March 2009.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591945-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Low grade coal from an open cast coal mine near Heihe, Northern China, March 2009.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Low grade coal from an open cast coal mine near Heihe, Northern China, March 2009.<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Climate change heaven and hell, wind turbines next to a coal importing business on the docks, Amsterdam, Netherlands. May 2013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01596099-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Climate change heaven and hell, wind turbines next to a coal importing business on the docks, Amsterdam, Netherlands. May 2013\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>Climate change heaven and hell, wind turbines next to a coal importing business on the docks, Amsterdam, Netherlands. May 2013<\/strong> by Ashley Cooper<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>It has been debated whether the proposals are strongly worded enough to put the world back on track to meet the goal of 1.5\u00b0C. Discussions went on for days over the semantics of words to be used in the final text, with the terms &#8216;phase down&#8217; and &#8216;phase out&#8217; being the source of much debate. In the end, it was decided that fossil fuels should be &#8216;phased down&#8217; and &#8216;transitioned away from&#8217;,\u00a0 neither of which imply the complete removal of them in the global energy supply at any point soon.\u00a0 The use of the words unabated and the lack of a call for a phase out of fossil fuel use indicate that many countries still see a future in which fossil fuels may play an important role in energy production. Nevertheless, the agreements made at COP28 are a start, and may lead us on the path to a much greener future.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17944\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17944\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/stock-photo\/solar-thermal-and-solar-pv-panels-on-the-roof-of-the-crystal-building-which-is\/search\/detail-0_01591454.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17944\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Solar thermal and solar PV panels on the roof of the Crystal building which is the first building in the world to be awarded an outstanding BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) rating and a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating. London, UK. June.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/naturepl_01591454-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17944\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Solar thermal and solar PV panels on the roof of the Crystal building which is the first building in the world to be awarded an outstanding BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) rating and a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating. London, UK. June.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Happened at COP28? &nbsp; The Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings are annual climate summits, where representatives from member countries come together to negotiate and make decisions to combat climate change. The most well-known outcomes of the COP meetings are the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 at COP3, and the Paris Agreement, adopted in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/19\/what-happened-at-cop28\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"button\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3,4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-stories","category-conservation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17625"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17625"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19394,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17625\/revisions\/19394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}