ACES Looks at COP29 and Local Successes

Several related climate news items caught ACES’s attention this week. All of them come from COP29, the UN International Climate Conference being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference continues efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to under 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the urgency grows daily for more collaboration by building consensus on climate finance, transparency, and increased technical and support to developing countries in their fossil fuel transition process.

Funding discussions focused on expanding existing levels from 100s of billions of dollars to amounts in the trillions. These funds are needed to support increased climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries. Yesterday’s discussions also focused on the critical role of nature, biodiversity, and indigenous populations when developing climate actions. There has been a deep concern for the lack of progress on pursuing nature-based solutions (NbS) to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems. Currently funded at $200 billion per year globally, the UN Environment Program shows an investment of almost $550 billion per year is needed. There can be no viable overall climate or economic solution without nature.

There was also a strong focus on reducing sources of methane. To this end, the COP Presidency introduced the Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste. The U.S.A. and China co-hosted a summit event on reducing methane and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions. This is a topic near and dear to ACES, as we double down on our local Reduce Waste programs in Newburyport.

Another discussion topic was what COP29 calls TEC AI, covering emerging technologies related to artificial intelligence and their possible climate applications. News bulletins from the conference sound optimistic about the many unique ways scientists, countries and companies are already harnessing AI to improve climate outcomes. These efforts will be essential for balancing power supplies from various forms of green energy to meet fluctuating energy demands of AI itself and other industries.

Statewide, the city of Holyoke, MA enters the conversation. The climate bill recently passed by the Massachusetts Legislature commits $60 million dollars to build a quantum computing technology industry and research cluster in Holyoke. This new and important step forward could put MA in the forefront of AI. There is the potential for offsetting investments in new locally generated wind and water green energy in western MA to power these AI facilities. This would allow the state to get into a new business, meet more of our energy demands with green energy, and reduce our state’s carbon footprint. This quantum computing cluster will likely also attract other companies and researchers to come to Holyoke, a welcome boost to an old mill city in the post industrial region of Pioneer Valley which once made 80% of the USA writing paper.

Locally, we note that the Tannery’s solar investment is celebrating its 10th anniversary, generating most of their common area electricity needs onsite. A more recent development is the Hillside Center for Sustainable Living which, in addition to being net zero, features collaborative efforts with the YWCA for much-needed transitional housing. Both are David Hall projects. Then, earlier this month, Newburyport celebrated its new ‘net zero carbon footprint’ firehouse, the 6,600- square-foot John F. Cutter Jr. Fire Station. 

There are many areas of progress on climate and the environment and we at ACES will do our best to alert readers to opportunities to work locally to have positive impacts globally. ACES stewards are encouraged by an increasing focus on Sustainability. We welcome any contributions in support of our Greater Newburyport communities. It will require effort from all of us, but together we can make a BIG difference for the welfare of future generations.

Contributors included Ana Satir, Art Currier, Deb Szabo, John Elwell, Lon Hachmeister, Ron Martino, and Tom Starr.

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on November 22, 2024.