#Paris Climate Pact

[collapseofindustrialcivilization]

Modern Civilization is Proving to be a Very Fragile Thing

“Mars would be more habitable than this place right now so it’s crazy. There’s absolutely nothing,” said Shaun, a resident of the Palisades Bowl community. in a world undergoing hydroclimate whiplash, the latest apocalyptic catastrophe has now befallen one of the richest cities in the world in the richest nation on Earth. Warm 100 mile per hour winds have spawned walls of fire reaching more than…

[e-the-village-cryptid]

A brief bullet-point list of the executive orders Trump signed yesterday. The tiktok thing is a distraction. If you are in the US, please read this. It will take less than 5 minutes. Gift article so no paywall

Some of the items on that list:

Freeze federal hiring except for military and immigration enforcement.

Bar asylum for people newly arriving at the southern border; declare migrant crossings at the southern border to be a national emergency; suspend the entire Refugee Admissions Program.

Terminate DEI initiatives across the federal government.

Recognize only two sexes; remove protections for transgender people in federal prisons.

Withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change.

Declare a national energy emergency, a first in U.S. history, which could unlock new powers to suspend certain environmental rules or expedite permitting of certain mining projects.

Try to undo Biden’s ban on offshore drilling for 625 million acres of federal waters; undo Biden-era tailpipe pollution regulations and other energy-efficiency, fossil fuel, and pollution regulations.

Open the Alaska wilderness to more oil and gas drilling.

Eliminate environmental justice programs across the government, which are aimed at protecting poor communities from excess pollution.

Withdraw from the World Health Organization.

Ensure that states carrying out the death penalty have a “sufficient supply” of lethal injection drugs.

Create the Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk in charge.

[saywhat-politics]

Last time, quitting the Paris Agreement was largely symbolic. Not this time.

President Donald Trump is once again withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate accords, pulling the nation whose factories, cars and power plants contributed the most cumulative planet-heating pollution to the atmosphere out of the first global pact to slash carbon emissions enough to prevent the world’s average temperature from reaching dangerous new heights. 

Trump said Monday he plans to halt implementation of the federal government’s efforts to meet its target to slash America’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 66% below 2005 levels over the next 10 years. The move, expected to come from an executive order, would follow the approach he took in 2017.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - November 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles! (sorry it's slightly late, the links didn't wanna work and I couldn't figure it out all day)

1. Wyoming's abortion ban has been overturned, including its ban on abortion medication

“Wyoming is the second state to have its near-total abortion ban overturned this month[…. Seven other states] also approved amendments protecting the right to an abortion. A lawsuit seeking to challenge the [FDA]’s approval of abortion medication recently failed when the Supreme Court refused to hear it[….]”

2. Patches of wildflowers in cities can be just as good for insects as natural meadows – study

“This study confirmed that small areas of urban wildflowers have a high concentration of pollinating insects, and are as valuable to many pollinators as larger areas of natural meadow that you would typically find rurally.”

3. Paris could offer new parents anti-pollution baby 'gift bags' to combat 'forever chemicals'

“The bag includes a stainless steel baby cup, a wooden toy, reusable cotton wipes, and non-toxic cleaning supplies as part of a "green prescription". […] The city will also have 44 centres for protecting mothers and infants that will be without any pollutants[….]”

4. Indigenous guardians embark on a sacred pact to protect the lowland tapir in Colombia

“The tapir is now the focus of an Indigenous-led conservation project[… A proposed “biocultural corridor”] will protect not only the populations and movements of wildlife such as tapirs, but also the cultural traditions and spirituality of the Inga and other neighboring Indigenous peoples[….]”

5. Denmark will plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of farmland into forest

“[…] 43 billion kroner ($6.1 billion) have been earmarked to acquire land from farmers over the next two decades[.… In addition,] livestock farmers will be taxed for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country to do so[….]”

6. The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in Texas

“[Element operates “used EV battery packs” with software that can] fine-tune commands at the cell level, instead of treating all the batteries as a monolithic whole. This enables the system to get more use out of each cell without stressing any so much that they break down[….]””

7. Durable supramolecular plastic is fully ocean-degradable and doesn't generate microplastics

“The new material is as strong as conventional plastics and biodegradable, [… and] is therefore expected to help reduce harmful microplastic pollution that accumulates in oceans and soil and eventually enters the food chain.”

8. Big Oil Tax Could Boost Global Loss and Damage Fund by 2000%

“[… A] tax on fossil fuel extraction, which would increase each year, combined with additional taxes on excess profits would […] generate hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the decade to assist poor and vulnerable communities with the impact of the climate crisis[….]”

9. Rooftop solar meets 107.5 pct of South Australia’s demand, no emergency measures needed

“[T]he state was able to export around 658 MW of capacity to Victoria at the time[….] The export capacity is expected to increase significantly as the new transmission link to NSW[…] should be able to allow an extra 150 MW to be transferred in either direction by Christmas.”

10. Light-altering paint for greenhouses could help lengthen the fruit growing season in less sunny countries

“[Scientists] have developed a spray coating for greenhouses that could help UK farmers to produce more crops in the future using the same or less energy[… by optimising] the wavelength of light shining onto the plants, improving their growth and yield.”

November 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[mindblowingscience]

President Donald Trump will withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, delivering a blow to the effort to keep global temperatures from rising to dangerous levels. The president announced plans to exit the nearly 200-nation pact on Monday in a White House press release outlining a forthcoming executive order. The process will take a full year from the date the Trump administration formally notifies the United Nations climate body. While the U.S. can still participate in annual climate negotiations, it will do so with less influence than before.

Continue Reading.

[gusty-wind]

TRUMP'S FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE

1. **Pardoned January 6 rioters. 2. **Scrapped DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies in the federal government. 3. **Ended 'gender radicalism' in the military. 4. **Withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. 5. **Ended birthright citizenship.** 6. **Declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. 7. **Revoked 78 Biden-era executive actions. 8. **Initiated a review of AI policies to remove barriers to American innovation. 9. **Started a working group on crypto regulations. 10. **Removed "gender ideology guidance" from federal communications. 11. **Delayed enforcement of a TikTok ban for 75 days. 12. **Ordered a hiring freeze for most federal positions. 13. **Reinstated Schedule F executive order, making it easier to fire federal employees. 14. **Closed all federal DEI offices. 15. **Ordered federal workers back to office full-time.

16. **Ended the CBP One app for legal migrant entry. 17. **Revoked security clearances for perceived political enemies. 18. **Restored U.S. participation in international anti-abortion pacts. 19. **Reinstated the Mexico City Policy against abortion advocacy with U.S. funds abroad. 20. **Ordered a cessation of gender transitions for people under 19. 21. **Declared two sexes legally recognized in official documents. 22. **Suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for review. 23. **Restarted policy for asylum seekers to wait in Mexico. 24. **Ended environmental litigation temporarily. 25. **Issued a "stop-work" order on foreign assistance.

26. **Ordered a review of FEMA's operations. 27. **Eliminated government diversity programs. 28. **Revoked Equal Employment Opportunity order from 1965. 29. **Targeted immigration enforcement with military involvement. 30. **Signed over 300 executive actions in the first few days.

[rjzimmerman]

The U.N.’s Verdict on Climate Progress Over the Past Year: There Was None. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

One year after world leaders made a landmark promise to move away from fossil fuels, countries have essentially made no progress in cutting emissions and tackling global warming, according to a United Nations report issued on Thursday.

Global greenhouse gas emissions soared to a record 57 gigatons last year and are not on track to decline much, if at all, this decade, the report found. Collectively, nations have been so slow to curtail their use of oil, gas and coal that it now looks unlikely that countries will be able to limit global warming to the levels they agreed to under the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

“Another year passed without action means we’re worse off,” said Anne Olhoff, a climate policy expert based in Denmark and a co-author of the assessment, known as the Emissions Gap Report.

The report comes a month before diplomats from around the world are scheduled to meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, for annual United Nations climate talks, where countries will discuss how they might step up efforts to address global warming.

Lately, those efforts have faced huge obstacles.

Even though renewable energy sources like wind and solar are growing rapidly around the world, demand for electricity has been rising even faster, which means countries are still burning more fossil fuels each year. Geopolitical conflicts, from the U.S.-China rivalry to war in places like Ukraine and Gaza, have made international cooperation on climate change harder. And rich countries have failed to keep their financial promises to help poor countries shift away from oil, gas and coal.

At last year’s climate talks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, representatives from nearly every nation approved a pact that called for “transitioning away from fossil fuels” and accelerating climate action this decade. But the agreement was vague on how to do so and on which countries should do what, and so far there has been little follow-through.

The new U.N. report finds that at least 151 countries have formally pledged under the Paris climate agreement to curb their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. If every country followed through on its stated plans, which is far from assured, then global emissions could be 3 percent to 11 percent lower at the end of the decade than they are today.

But that would still put the Earth on track to heat up an average of roughly 2.6 to 2.8 degrees Celsius (4.7 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) over preindustrial levels by the century’s end, the report found. The planet has already warmed roughly 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit). That may not sound like much, but every fraction of a degree of warming brings greater risks from deadly heat waves, wildfires, drought, storms and species extinction, scientists have said.

Under the Paris Agreement, world leaders vowed to hold global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably closer to 1.5 degrees Celsius, to limit the risks from climate catastrophes.

[beardedmrbean]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as she promoted her efforts to boost clean energy, Vice President Kamala Harris said in Tuesday's debate that the Biden-Harris administration has overseen “the largest increase in domestic oil production in history because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot over rely on foreign oil.″

The comment by Harris, a longtime climate hawk who backed the original Green New Deal, surprised supporters and opponents alike — and conflicted with frequent boasts by Harris and President Joe Biden that they are champions in the fight to slow global warming.

After former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Biden-Harris administration reentered the global pact aimed at reducing emissions. The administration also set a target to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and moved to accelerate renewable energy projects and shift away from fossil fuels.

Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist, said it was notable that at a debate in energy-rich Pennsylvania, Harris chose to “brag about something that President Biden has barely acknowledged — that domestic fossil fuel production under the Biden administration is at an all-time high.″ Crude production averaged 12.9 million barrels a day last year, eclipsing a previous record set in 2019 under Trump, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The statement was “another sign of Harris’ sprint to the middle″ on energy policy and other issues, said Donovan, who works with energy industry clients at the Bracewell law and lobbying firm.

Harris went one step further, rebranding the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act — the administration's signature climate law — as a boon to fracking and other drilling, thanks to lease-sale requirements inserted into the bill by independent West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a key swing vote in the Senate and a strong supporter of the fossil fuel industry.

Harris's comments disappointed some in the environmental community.

“Harris missed a critical opportunity to lay out a stark contrast with Trump and show young voters that she will stand up to Big Oil and stop the climate crisis,'' said Stevie O’Hanlon, a spokesperson for the Sunrise Movement, one of the groups behind the Green New Deal.

“Harris spent more time promoting fracking than laying out a bold vision for a clean energy future,'' O'Hanlon said. “Young voters want more from Harris'' on climate change, she added. “We want to see a real plan that meets the scale and urgency of this crisis.''

Her group is working to turn out young voters, “but we hear people asking every day, ‘What are Democrats going to do for us?’” O'Hanlon said. “To win, Harris needs to show young people she will fight for us.”

Other environmental groups were less critical, citing the looming threat to climate action posed by Trump, who rolled back more than 100 environmental protections during his term as president.

“There is only one presidential candidate who is a champion for climate action and that is Kamala Harris,'' said Alex Glass, speaking for Climate Power, a liberal advocacy group. Harris "laid out a clear vision to invest in clean energy jobs and lower costs for working families,'' Glass said.

By comparison, she said, Trump "will do the bidding of his Big Oil donors.''

Glass cited the conservative Project 2025, written by Trump allies, saying it will put millions of clean-energy jobs at risk and let oil companies "profiteer and pollute.'' Trump has denied a direct connection to Project 2025 but has endorsed some of its key ideas.

Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry's top lobbying group, said Harris' comment in support of fracking reflected political reality in the closely contested election. “You have to be for fracking to be elected president in 2024,'' he said. “That's good news for our industry and great news for American consumers.''

Asked why he was so confident about the need to support fracking, Sommers offered a one-word answer: “Pennsylvania.”

Not only is it a key swing state in the election, Pennsylvania also “is the beating heart of the natural gas industry in this country,” Sommers said, second only to Texas in total production.

"You don't win Pennsylvania without supporting fracking, and you don't win the presidency without Pennsylvania,'' Sommers said.

In the debate, Trump disputed Harris's claim that she will not try to ban fracking, but Sommers said he takes Harris at her word and welcomes her support for fracking and oil drilling more generally.

Asked if he was concerned about Harris' past actions suing oil companies, Sommers said no. The oil and gas industry supports 11 million jobs, he said, and the price of gasoline “is determined by economics — supply and demand. There is no man behind the curtain” rigging prices.

As California attorney general, Harris “won tens of millions in settlements against Big Oil and held polluters accountable,'' her campaign says. Her platform includes a promise to ”hold polluters accountable to secure clean air and water for all.''

Trump, meanwhile, has vowed to rescind unspent funds from the climate law and other programs, and said he will target offshore wind projects. He said Harris would move to restrict onshore oil and gas production if elected.

“They’ll go back to destroying our country, and oil will be dead, fossil fuel will be dead,” Trump said.

A president’s power to restrict fracking, even on federal lands, is limited, and barring the practice on private land would require an act of Congress.

[trump47actions]

Here are some of the orders Mr. Trump signed on his first day in office:

Federal Work Force

Freeze federal hiring, except for members of the military or “positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety.”

Restore a category of federal workers known as Schedule F, which would lack the same job protections enjoyed by career civil servants.

Halt new federal rules from going into effect before Trump administration appointees can review them.

Review the investigative actions of the Biden administration, “to correct past misconduct by the federal government related to the weaponization of law enforcement and the weaponization of the intelligence community.”

Grant top secret security clearances to White House staff without going through traditional vetting procedures.

End remote work policies and order federal workers back to the office full time.

Immigration and the Border

Bar asylum for people newly arriving at the southern border.

Move to end birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, for the children of undocumented immigrants. The president cannot change the Constitution on his own, so it is not yet clear how Mr. Trump plans to withhold the benefits of citizenship to a group of people born in the United States. Any move is all but certain to be challenged in court.

Suspend the Refugee Admissions Program “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.”

Declare migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border to be a national emergency, allowing Mr. Trump to unilaterally unlock federal funding for border wall construction, without approval from Congress, for stricter enforcement efforts.

Resume a policy requiring people seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while an immigration judge considers their cases.

Consider designating cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.”

Gender and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

Terminate D.E.I. programs across the federal government.

Recognize two sexes: male and female.

Remove protections for transgender people in federal prisons.

Tariffs and Trade

Direct federal agencies to begin an investigation into trade practices, including persistent trade deficits and unfair currency practices, as well as examine flows of migrants and drugs from Canada, China and Mexico to the United States.

Assess China’s compliance with a trade deal Mr. Trump signed in 2020, as well as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which Trump signed in 2020 to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Order the government to assess the feasibility of creating an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariffs and duties.

Carry out a full review of the U.S. industrial and manufacturing base to assess whether further national security-related tariffs are warranted.

Energy and the Environment

Withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change.

Declare a national energy emergency, a first in U.S. history, which could unlock new powers to suspend certain environmental rules or expedite permitting of certain mining projects.

Attempt to reverse Mr. Biden’s ban on offshore drilling for 625 million acres of federal waters.

Begin the repeal of Biden-era regulations on tailpipe pollution from cars and light trucks, which have encouraged automakers to manufacture more electric vehicles.

Roll back energy-efficiency regulations for dishwashers, shower heads and gas stoves.

Open the Alaska wilderness to more oil and gas drilling.

Restart reviews of new export terminals for liquefied natural gas, something the Biden administration had paused.

Halt the leasing of federal waters for offshore wind farms.

Eliminate environmental justice programs across the government, which are aimed at protecting poor communities from excess pollution.

Review all federal regulations that impose an “undue burden” on the development or use of a variety of energy sources, particularly coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, hydropower and biofuels.

TikTok ban

Consult federal agencies on any national security risks posed by the social media platform, then “pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans.” Mr. Trump ordered his attorney general not to enforce a law that banned the site for 75 days to give the Trump administration “an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward.”

Other

Withdraw from the World Health Organization.

Rename Mount Denali and the Gulf of Mexico.

Ensure that states carrying out the death penalty have a “sufficient supply” of lethal injection drugs.

Fly the American flag at full-staff on Monday and on future Inauguration Days.

Implement the Department of Government Efficiency, the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting initiative.

Revoke security clearances for 51 signers of a letter suggesting that the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop could be Russian disinformation.

[reyaint]

history of HAIQIN | part X: modern era

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date: october 12, 2024. I have a dialectical journal due on the 15 when fall break ends. actually gonna lose it.

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The Modern Era (1980s-Present)

Modern Government & Diplomacy:

Global Influence

Neutrality as a Diplomatic Tool:

Haiqin has perfected the art of neutrality, using it not only to avoid military entanglements but to position itself as a diplomatic hub. The country plays a key role in mediating between powers in global conflicts, regional South Asian tensions, European and American issues, and East Asian territorial disagreements. Additionally, Haiqin has hosted negotiations between superpowers, ensuring peaceful resolutions in situations involving complex geopolitical rivalries. Haiqin’s neutral position allows it to act as a safe intermediary for humanitarian ceasefire agreements and non-governmental organizations.

International Organizations:

Haiqin’s representatives have held leadership positions in various international organizations, including serving on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member multiple times. The nation is also part of organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, where it promotes policies on equitable economic growth and sustainable development. Haiqin spearheads climate change discussions, advocating for stronger emissions regulations and funding for green technology development in developing nations.

Membership in International Organizations:

Beyond the UN and WTO, Haiqin has also taken leadership roles in climate action groups such as the Paris Agreement coalition and environmental sustainability pacts. Its position in the OECD has allowed it to participate in policy-making around economic growth, sustainability, and international tax reform, using its influence to promote eco-friendly practices and digital innovations across borders.

Strategic Alliances:

Despite its neutrality, Haiqin has formed strategic alliances with nations such as Switzerland, Sweden, and Canada. These alliances are based on shared values of environmental sustainability, human rights, and technological innovation. These relationships have bolstered Haiqin’s influence in international environmental summits like COP, where it frequently serves as a mediator between major world powers. Even while neutral, they have one of the strongest militaries.

In recent years, Haiqin has strengthened ties with countries in Northern Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea, focusing on creating a global "Green Alliance" promoting renewable energy and sustainable industrial practices. Its strategic partnerships focus on technological innovation, intellectual property agreements, and knowledge exchange in science and education. These partnerships extend to cooperative space research initiatives, placing Haiqin at the forefront of cutting-edge satellite technology and space exploration.

The Military:

While Haiqin advocates for peace, it maintains one of the world’s most advanced and well-equipped military forces, particularly in the fields of cyber defense and intelligence. Haiqin’s military is recognized for its rigorous training in both conventional combat and modern cyber-warfare techniques. Specialized units focus on counter-terrorism, environmental protection, and strategic disaster responses. Military service remains voluntary but highly prestigious, with many youth aspiring to join due to the opportunities it offers in education, training, and post-service careers. Also many snipers are woman, so yeah.

Diplomacy & Neutrality

Mediation Efforts:

Haiqin's diplomats are often called upon to mediate some of the world's most complex conflicts. A notable instance was the 1998 Haiqin-brokered peace agreement between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, which brought about a temporary ceasefire and facilitated humanitarian aid in the region. Haiqin has also mediated North Korean and South Korean negotiations in partnership with international powers, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing force.

Bridge Between Cultures:

Cultural exchange remains a key strategy in Haiqin's diplomatic toolkit. The government sponsors international art exhibitions, theater tours, and music festivals to foster goodwill with other nations. Haiqin's rich blend of Greek and Native influences, along with its modern artistic contributions, gives it unique cultural appeal. Educational exchange programs have also blossomed, sending young Haiqin students to study abroad while welcoming international students into Haiqin universities.

Crisis Response:

Haiqin was among the first countries to offer medical and logistical aid to struggling nations. It shipped millions of units of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and vaccines to over 30 countries. This led to a boost in its global reputation as a humanitarian leader and reaffirmed its commitment to global health.

The government has established a rapid response team trained to deal with various crises, including natural disasters, refugee situations, and health emergencies, reflecting its commitment to global humanitarian efforts.

Cultural Diplomacy:

With Haiqin’s unique blend of Native and Greek heritage, the nation actively promotes its art, cuisine, and traditions across the globe. Through international festivals, Haiqin exports its cultural products while supporting collaborations in theater, dance, and film with major cultural centers in Paris, Tokyo, and New York.

Societal Changes:

Technology and Innovation

Renewable Energy Leadership:

In the 1990s, Haiqin underwent a massive transformation in its energy sector. Inspired by its cultural reverence for nature, the government launched the "Green Future Initiative," which sought to transform Haiqin into one of the most energy-efficient nations in the world. By 2010, Haiqin had achieved near-total reliance on renewable energy, with solar and wind farms scattered across the country’s landscapes. Hydroelectric dams tap into the nation’s many rivers, and cutting-edge geothermal plants have been established in the mountainous regions. Haiqin has also become a global exporter of green technologies, particularly in the development of low-cost, high-efficiency solar panels.

Haiqin’s innovation in renewable energy is unmatched. By 2030, it aims to power 90% of its domestic energy consumption through renewable sources. It has developed state-of-the-art solar farms and off-shore wind turbines, some of which are the largest in the world. The country exports its renewable energy technologies, helping nations transition to cleaner energy systems.

Environmental Protection Initiatives:

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Haiqin has established numerous protected areas, wildlife reserves, and national parks. These spaces not only conserve biodiversity but also reflect the nation’s ongoing effort to preserve the natural beauty that plays a central role in its identity. Government programs offer incentives for green businesses, and the country has enacted strict environmental laws aimed at minimizing pollution and encouraging ecological responsibility.

Education and Healthcare Investment:

The Haiqin government invests heavily in education and healthcare, aiming for a balanced society where citizens can thrive. Schools emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and emotional well-being, ensuring that students receive a holistic education that prepares them for the future.

Advancements in Bioengineering:

Haiqin’s universities are world-renowned for their research programs, especially in bioengineering, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. Government incentives encourage collaboration between academic institutions and private companies, fostering an ecosystem where breakthrough technologies in medical science, especially regenerative medicine and bioprinting, are regularly produced.

Digital Media:

In the 2000s, Haiqin became a hub for digital innovation, particularly in the realms of film, music, and video game production. The country's tech scene flourished, with startups leading advances in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and bioengineering. Many tech conglomerates now have headquarters in Haiqin, making it a focal point for digital media production globally.

In the 21st century, Haiqin emerged as a leading force in the digital media space. Homegrown tech firms have developed some of the most popular social media platforms, while the country's gaming industry has achieved global renown. Government-supported programs encourage innovation in tech and arts, leading to groundbreaking developments in virtual reality and digital art. Haiqin's startups frequently collaborate with international firms, cementing its reputation as a technological and creative powerhouse.

Technological Hub:

Haiqin’s cities, particularly Nirin and Pylos, have become vibrant hubs of technological innovation, earning the nickname "Silicon Valley." The government’s significant investment in education and technology in the 1980s paid off by the early 2000s, as startups and major tech companies began to flourish. Key sectors include bioengineering, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital media. Collaboration between Haiqin’s universities and international institutions led to groundbreaking advances in biotechnology, with Haiqin becoming a leader in medical research and the development of genetically engineered crops that are now widely used across the globe.

Cultural Fusion

Architectural Harmony:

The modern cities of Haiqin reflect a seamless fusion of old and new. In the capital city of Stellis, ancient temples stand in harmony beside sleek, futuristic skyscrapers. Architects have paid homage to traditional styles, incorporating elements such as stone carvings, intricate mosaics, and decorative columns into modern buildings. In many urban developments, public spaces include green areas, drawing from both Native and Greek traditions that emphasize a deep connection to nature. This fusion is also seen in residential housing, with new eco-friendly technologies built into homes inspired by traditional Haiqin designs, featuring wide courtyards and terraced gardens.

Haiqin's cities reflect a fascinating combination of ultra-modern architecture and ancient influences. Towering glass skyscrapers are integrated with centuries-old buildings, blending Greek-inspired columns with traditional Native designs, creating an aesthetic harmony of old and new.

Cultural Integration:

Despite modernization, Haiqin remains deeply connected to its cultural roots. Festivals celebrating historical events and cultural milestones are widespread, with both rural and urban areas participating. Traditional music, dances, and rituals are commonly performed, keeping ancient customs alive. However, these celebrations have also embraced modern artistic forms, such as digital art and contemporary music. Art installations and interactive performances blending tradition and technology are a highlight of these festivals, illustrating the nation's ability to preserve its past while embracing the future.

Art and Music Scene:

Haiqin is home to a thriving creative arts scene. The government actively supports artists, musicians, filmmakers, and playwrights, making Haiqin a cultural hub that attracts global attention. Haiqin's film industry has produced several award-winning movies, often telling stories that draw from the nation’s mythology, history, and unique blending of cultural influences. Similarly, musicians from Haiqin are known for blending traditional instruments with modern sounds, creating a genre often referred to as "Neo-Classical Fusion." International music festivals held in Primos and Naidya attract thousands of artists and spectators each year, placing Haiqin on the world map for both traditional and contemporary artistic expression.

The Haiqin art scene has exploded in the digital age, with a new wave of artists creating interactive digital installations and virtual reality art. Music festivals like "The Resonance Festival" attract international artists and music lovers from around the globe, blending traditional Haiqinese music with modern genres like EDM and indie rock. This blend of traditional and contemporary is also seen in cinema, where Haiqin filmmakers are recognized at international film festivals for their innovative storytelling, merging mythological elements with modern themes.

Modern Society:

Cultural Identity and Pride

Preservation of Heritage:

In response to the rapid changes brought by globalization, Haiqin has doubled down on the preservation of its heritage. The government funds cultural preservation projects aimed at safeguarding the nation’s languages, art forms, and historical sites. Museums and cultural centers are abundant, and children are taught the nation’s history from a young age, fostering a deep sense of identity and pride in their cultural roots.

Pride in Heritage:

Haiqin's citizens take immense pride in their cultural heritage. Educational institutions emphasize the importance of local history, folklore, and traditional arts, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots. This cultural pride manifests in community events, where local artisans showcase their crafts and traditions.

Education and Family Values:

Haiqin's education system is widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world, focusing not only on academic success but also on emotional well-being and creativity. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, global awareness, and environmental stewardship. Families play a vital role in the educational system, with parents heavily involved in their children’s academic lives. Traditional family values are emphasized alongside modern ideas of personal growth and mental health, creating a balanced approach to parenting.

Festivals and Community Celebrations:

Traditional festivals such as the “Harvest Moon Festival” and the “Festival of Winds” bring together Haiqin’s past and present. These events are occasions for the display of martial arts, traditional music, and culinary art. Contemporary cultural celebrations, such as film and music festivals, also play an important role, attracting international tourists and boosting local economies. Art exhibitions featuring both historical artifacts and modern creations are common, and these events foster community bonding while preserving cultural identity.

Military:

Veterans in Haiqin receive some of the most comprehensive benefits globally, ensuring they are well-supported in retirement and honored for their service. Many veterans transition into leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sectors, particularly in industries related to security, disaster relief, or humanitarian work. The military also collaborates with civilian industries in developing technology for public use, fostering strong ties between the defense sector and national growth.

Artisans and Entertainment

Cultural Powerhouse:

The modern era has seen Haiqin's entertainment industry gain significant international acclaim. Musicians, filmmakers, and digital artists from Haiqin have made a global impact, often collaborating with foreign artists in cross-cultural projects. Festivals such as the Nirin Film Festival and the National Music Expo are renowned platforms for showcasing new talent and encouraging artistic exchange.

Festivals and Celebrations:

Haiqin has emerged as a cultural force in the world of entertainment. Its film industry, often referred to as "Haiqinwood," produces films that mix philosophical storytelling with visual mastery. These films often reflect the nation’s cultural diversity and moral neutrality, offering unique narratives on global issues.

Integration of Arts in Education:

Arts are woven into the very fabric of Haiqin’s education system, where schools offer specialized programs in music, theater, dance, and visual arts. This emphasis on creativity has resulted in a vibrant national arts scene, with young talents being nurtured from an early age and provided with platforms to showcase their work. Many schools encourage artistic collaboration, fostering the next generation of creative thinkers who will shape the cultural landscape of the nation.

The arts are not just a hobby in Haiqin—they are an integral part of the education system. From primary school to university, students are exposed to music, dance, theater, and visual arts, fostering creativity and cultural pride. This has led to the country producing internationally-renowned artists, filmmakers, and writers who continuously push the boundaries of their crafts.

Nonlethal Duels in Nirin

Hanging Crescent Moon Arena:

The Hanging Crescent Moon Arena is more than just a site for nonlethal duels—it has become a cultural icon. Every year, the nation hosts the “Crescent Games,” a series of competitions where participants display their mastery of traditional martial arts in non-lethal combat. These duels emphasize discipline, skill, and respect, celebrating the nation’s warrior roots while promoting nonviolence. The military units in Nirin also train in the arena for certain types of combat.

Cultural Significance:

Nonlethal dueling is more than just a sport; it is a cultural symbol of Haiqin’s values of fairness, discipline, and respect. Fighters wear traditional garb representing their regional and cultural backgrounds, and the duels themselves are often accompanied by ceremonial music and dancing. The competitions are a powerful reminder of Haiqin’s rich martial history, which has evolved into a peaceful and respected modern tradition.

−adding this since I'm probably scripting I'm from Nirin since this is the MOST I've put into any of the 10 provinces (blame my hyper fixation on GHOSTBLADE by WLOP)

[pluckywallflower]

Some of 47's executive orders yesterday:

- Move to end birthright citizenship, which violates the 14th amendment of the Constitution

- Require the federal government to only recognize two sexes: male and female

- Remove protections for transgender people in federal prisons.

- Withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change.

- Attempt to reverse Biden's ban on offshore drilling for 625 million acres of federal waters.

- Begin the repeal of Biden-era regulations on tailpipe pollution from cars and light trucks.

- Roll back energy-efficient regulations for dishwashers, shower heads, and gas stoves.

- Open the Alaska wilderness to more oil and gas drilling.

- Halt the leasing of federal waters for offshore wind farms

- Withdraw from the World Health Organization

- Restore the death penalty

This is for archival purposes

[darkmaga-returns]

Two of the seven are dedicated to specific issues in Alaska and California, and one implements a temporary pause in offshore wind development leasing. Tucked inside another one are directives calling for dramatic expansions of offshore oil and gas leasing.

One of Trump’s signature campaign slogans was “Drill, baby, drill.”

As expected, perhaps the least complicated of the eight energy and environment-related actions is Trump’s order withdrawing the United States from 2015’s Paris Climate Accords, which Trump did in 2017 and vowed to do again during his 2024 campaign.

Not only does Trump’s executive order withdraw the United States from the pact, it also includes “withdrawal from any agreement, pact, accord, or similar commitment made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” and immediately rescinds the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan which, over the years, earmarks billions in U.S. taxpayer commitments.

In the “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” executive order, Trump calls on federal agency officials to “expedite the permitting and leasing of energy and natural resource projects,” prioritize “development of Alaska’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) potential,” and expand fossil fuel development in the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve and 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The sweeping action rescinds “all regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions … promulgated, issued, or adopted between Jan. 20, 2021, and Jan. 20, 2025,” essentially erasing dozens of Biden-era actions related to Alaska.

[head-post]

Trump sworn in, White House releases domestic policy programme

Following the official inauguration of the 47th US President Donald Trump and the swearing-in of Vice President JD Vance, the White House released a programme of domestic policy priorities.

The Trump administration plans to scrap former President Joe Biden’s policy of releasing captured migrants. Instead, the government will reinstate the Remain in Mexico programme introduced by Trump in 2019.

Trump also plans to bring in the Armed Forces and National Guard to secure the borders and combat asylum for criminals. Additionally, cartels, including Tren de Aragua, will be recognised as foreign terrorist organisations.

Among other orders issued on Monday, the president signed a comprehensive executive order on the death penalty that directs the attorney general to “take all necessary and lawful action” to ensure sufficient lethal injection drugs are available for executions. After Biden recently commuted 37 death sentences to life in prison, only three defendants remain on death row.

The Government’s most solemn responsibility is to protect its citizens from abhorrent acts, and my Administration will not tolerate efforts to stymie and eviscerate the laws that authorize capital punishment against those who commit horrible acts of violence against American citizens.

Climate and industry

Trump also signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement, an international climate change treaty in which nearly 200 countries agreed to work together to limit global warming. However, despite the efforts of the signatory countries, scientists have recorded a warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2024.

In addition to abandoning climate goals, the administration laid out a sweeping plan to maximise oil and gas production, including declaring an energy emergency to expedite permits, repealing environmental protections and withdrawing the US from the international climate change pact.

America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have: the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth.

He also signed orders aimed at promoting oil and gas development in Alaska, cancelling Biden’s efforts to protect US Arctic lands and coastal waters from drilling, reversing Biden’s goal to adopt electric vehicles (EVs), suspending wind farm lease sales, and lifting a freeze on LNG export permits.

Censorship and gender

Another executive order signed by Trump ensures that no federal official will facilitate conduct that unconstitutionally restricts the free speech of any American citizen, including online censorship by the government.

After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.

Over the past 4 years, the Biden administration has encroached on free expression by censoring Americans’ speech on online platforms, often putting significant coercive pressure on third parties such as social media companies to moderate, remove from the platform, or otherwise suppress speech that the federal government did not approve of.

Trump also signed executive orders declaring that the US government would recognise only two genders, male and female. The president will thus end “radical and wasteful” diversity, equality and inclusion programmes in federal agencies.

The administrative sphere will see a hiring freeze, except for important positions. Trump promised to “terminate federal staffers implementing DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] policies.”

This week I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.

According to a December 2024 report, the federal government has spent more than $1 billion on DEI grants since 2021.

Read more HERE

[insert-witty-user-name-here]

50+ Good Things from the Biden Administration

Just a list of 50+ good things the Biden Administration has done in the last 4 years because I’ve been hearing too much rhetoric that it doesn’t matter who you vote for. It does make a difference. 

Increased access to healthcare and specifically codified protections for LGBTQ+ patients against discrimination. (x) 

Strengthened women's reproductive rights by increasing access to reproductive health care, improving confidentiality to protect against criminalization for patients receiving reproductive care, and revoked Medicaid waivers from states that would exclude providers like Planned Parenthood, and more. (x)

Expanded healthcare and benefits for veterans through the PACT Act (x)

Cemented protections for pregnant and postpartum workers through the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. 

Improved access to nursing homes for those who receive Medicaid services and established, for the first time, a national minimum staffing requirement for nursing homes to ensure those in their care receive sufficient support.  (x) 

Lowered healthcare costs for those with Medicare which capped insulin for seniors at $35 a month, made vaccines free, and capped seniors’ out of pocket expenses at the pharmacy through the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Fully vaccinated 79% of American adults against COVID-19 (I know this is old news now this is a big deal) 

Banned unfair practices that hide housing fees from renters and homebuyers when moving into a new home (x) 

Reduced the mortgage insurance premium for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages and clarified that inflated rents caused by algorithmic use of sensitive nonpublic pricing and supply information violate antitrust laws. (x) 

Increased protections for those saving for retirement from predatory practices. (x)

Helped millions of households gain access to the internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. (x) 

Restored net neutrality (net neutrality is a standard which ensures broadband internet service is essential and prohibits interna providers from blocking, engaging in paid prioritization, and more.) (x)

Increased protections for loan holders as well as increased access to loans (x)

Cut fees that banks charge consumers for overdrawing on their accounts. (x)

Reaffirmed HUD’s commitment to remedy housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (which was– surprise, surprise– halted under the Trump administration). (x)

Rejoined the Paris Climate Accords.  

Listed more than 24 million acres of public lands across the country as environmentally protected and has channeled more than $18 billion dollars toward conservation projects. (And revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline amongst others). 

Invested $369 billion to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote clean energy technologies through the Inflation Reduction Act. Through the tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, renewable energy (such as wind, solar, and hydropower) has surpassed coal-fired generation in the electric power sector for the first time, making it the second-biggest source of energy behind natural gas. (x)

Strengthened protections against workplace assault through the Speak Out Act. (x) 

Increased protections for workers during the union bargaining process (x)

Is making it easier for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their bags, or fail to provide extra services when purchased. (x)  

Invested $1.2 trillion into roads, waterlines, broadband networks, airports and more allowing for more bridges, railroads, tunnels, roads, and more through the Inflation Reduction Act (which also added 670,000 jobs). (idk about you but I like driving on well maintained roads and having more rail options).  

Strengthened overtime protections for federal employees (x)

Raised the minimum wage for federal workers and contractors to $15. (x)

Strengthened protections for farmworkers by expanding the activities protected from retaliation by the National Labor Relations Act and more. (Previously anti-retaliation provisions under the National Labor Relations Act applies mostly to only U.S. citizens) (x)

Invested $80 billion for the Internal Revenue Service to hire new agents, audit the wealth, modernize its technology, and more. Additionally, created $300 billion in new revenue through corporate tax increases. (x) 

Lowered the unemployment rate to 3.5% — the lowest in 50 years. 

Canceled over $140B of student debt for nearly 40 million borrowers. (x)

Strengthened protections for sexual assault survivors, pregnant and parenting students, and LGBTQ+ students in schools through an updated Title IX rule. This updated rule strengthens sexual assault survivors rights to investigation– something that had been gutted under the Trump administration, strengthens requirements that schools provide modifications for students based on pregnancy, prohibits harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and more. (x)

Revoked an order that limited diversity and inclusion training. (x)

Cracked down on for profit colleges. (x)

Reaffirmed students’ federal civil rights protections for non-discrimination based on race, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender in schools. Specifically, the Department of Education made clear students with disabilities’ right to school, limiting the use of out of school suspensions and expulsions against them. (x) (x) 

Enhanced the Civil Rights Data Collection, a national survey that captures data on students’ equal access to educational opportunities. These changes will improve the tracking of civil rights violations for students, critical for advocates to respond to instances of discrimination. 

Provided guidance on how colleges and universities can still uphold racial diversity in higher education following the Supreme Court decision overturning affirmative action. (x) 

Issued a federal pardon to all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana. Additionally, the DEA is taking steps to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance instead of a Schedule I, limiting punishment for possession in the future. (x) 

Changed drug charges related to crack offenses, now charging crack offenses as powder cocaine offenses. This is a big step towards ending the racial disparity that punishes crack offenses with greater severity than offenses involving the same amount of powder cocaine. (x) 

Lowered the cost of local calls for incarcerated people through the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act as well as increased access for video calls (especially impactful for incarcerated people with disabilities). (x) 

Enacted policing reforms that banned chokeholds, restricted no-knock entries, and restricted the transfer of military equipment to local police departments. (x)

Established the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD) which will better track police officer misconduct. This database will vet federal law enforcement candidates who have a history of misconduct from being rehired and will make it easier and faster to charge police officers under the Death in Custody Reporting Act. (x) 

Added disability as a protected characteristic alongside race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. Under the law, police officers are prohibited from profiling people based on these characteristics. …It sadly happens anyway but now there’s an added legal protection which means a mechanism to convict police officers should they break the law. (x) 

Required federal prisons to place incarcerated individuals consistent with their chosen pronouns and gender identity. (x) 

Expanded gun background checks by narrowing the “boyfriend” loophole to keep guns out of the hands of convicted dating partners, strengthening requirements for registering as a licensed gun dealer (closing the “gun show loophole”), and more through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.  (x) 

Increased mental health programs within police departments to support officers experiencing substance use disorders, mental health issues, or trauma from their duties. (x)

Lifted Trump era restrictions on the use of consent decrees. The Justice Department uses consent decrees to force local government agencies (like police departments) to eliminate bad practices (such as widespread abuse and misconduct) that infringe on peoples’ civil rights. (x) 

Improved reporting of hate crimes through the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act (x) 

Nominated the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court 

Confirmed 200 lifetime judges to federal courts, confirming historic numbers of women, people of color, and other judges who have long been excluded from our federal court system. (64% are women, 63% are people of color) 

Designated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) status for immigrants from Cameroon, Haiti, ​​El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sudan, and more. (x) 

Ended the discriminatory Muslim and African bans (x). 

Provided a pathway to citizenship for spouses of U.S. citizens that have been living in the country without documentation. (x) 

Expanded healthcare to DACA recipients (x) 

This one is… barely a win but not by fault of the Biden Administration. The Department of Homeland Security as of Feb 2023 has reunited nearly 700 immigrant children that were separated from their families under Trump’s Zero Tolerance Policy. From 2017-2021, 3,881 children were separated from their families. About 74% of those have been reunited with their families: 2,176 before the task force was created and 689 afterward. But that still leaves nearly 1,000 children who remain tragically separated from their families from under the Trump Administration. (x)

(okay this one is maybe only exciting for me who’s a census nerd) Revised federal standards for the collection of race and ethnicity data, allowing for federal data that better reflect the country’s diversity. Now, government forms will include a Middle Eastern/ North African category (when previously those individuals would check “white”). Additionally, forms will now have combined the race & ethnicity question allowing for individuals to check “Latino/a” as their race (previously Latine individuals would be encouraged to check “Latino” for ethnicity and “white” for race… which doesn’t really resonate with many folks). (x) (I know this sounds boring but let me tell you this is BIG when it comes to better data collection– and better advocacy!).

Rescinded a Trump order that would have excluded undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census which would have taken away critical funds from those communities. 

Required the U.S. federal government and all U.S. states and territories to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial civil marriages by passing the Respect for Marriage Act, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act.

Reversed Trump’stransgender military ban. 

Proposed investments in a lot of programs including universal pre-k, green energy, mental health programs across all sectors, a national medical leave program for all workers and more. (x) 

Last… let’s also not forget all the truly terrible things Trump did when he was in office. If you need a reminder, scroll this list, this one mostly for giggles + horror, for actual horror about what a Trump presidency has in store, learn about ‘Project 2025’ from the Heritage Foundation. I know this post is about reasons to vote FOR Biden but let’s not forget the many, many reasons to vote for him over Trump. 

So, there it is, 50+ reasons to vote for Biden in the 2024 Election. 

Check your voter registration here, make a plan to vote, and encourage your friends to vote as well. 

All in all, yeah… there’s a lot of shitty things still happening. There’s always going to be shit but things aren’t going to change on their own. And that change starts (it certainly doesn’t end) with voting. 

Go vote in November. 

[mariacallous]

If average global temperature rises are to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels (in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement), climate finance globally will need to increase to about $9 trillion a year globally by 2030, up from just under $1.3 trillion in 2021-22.

According to the International Energy Agency, 30 percent of climate finance globally needed—around $2.7 trillion—will have to come from the public sector, with the remaining 70 percent coming from the private sector.

This is the scale of the world’s climate finance needs. However, when viewed in the context of governments’ other spending priorities, $2.7 trillion in public money is achievable. Indeed, in 2022 governments spent $7 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies alone.

A large portion of that $2.7 trillion must flow to developing countries in the form of grants and concessional loans. Official development assistance (ODA), provided by traditional donors in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), will not get us there alone. ODA hit a record high of $287 billion in 2022 but only because developed countries shifted resources to aid in Ukraine’s defense; in previous years, it hovered around just $236 billion. A surge of right-wing politics in the United States and Europe has forced budgets down, and even Emmanuel Macron’s liberal government in France has reneged on previous aid commitments.

For all but a few emerging economies, developing countries’ greatest climate challenge is not solely a lack of private finance for mitigation projects but a lack of low- or no-cost public finance for adaptation and loss and damage efforts. Despite their social returns, adaptation projects such as infrastructure upgrades and sea walls do not deliver immediate financial returns to investors and are notoriously difficult to scale for the private sector.

Both developed and developing countries have been vocal about the need for new forms of public climate finance beyond ODA, and they are considering different options under the rubric of “innovative finance.” The recognition has been particularly important in discussions on the newly created Loss and Damage Fund. At last year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai, or COP28, countries pledged around $700 million to capitalize the fund—including an unexpected $100 million from the United Arab Emirates—but it will need billions of dollars to respond to more than one country crisis. This is why the fund’s bylaws encourage its capitalization through a “wide variety of sources, including innovative sources” inside and outside the Paris Agreement.

There is no single agreed definition of innovative finance, but it generally refers to any financing mechanism or arrangement that mobilizes, governs, or distributes resources beyond ODA. Most innovative finance mechanisms, such as “blue bonds” or the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights, still depend on loans and the largesse of rich countries, whose leaders also face tough inflation and consequential elections. These are just two reasons why such initiatives have stalled or failed to live up to expectations.

On the resource mobilization side, many countries have come out in favor of new global taxes to fund climate needs in developing countries. Here, as in other areas of climate, small island states and low-income countries are providing essential leadership. They are also finding allies in the global north. Taxes on shipping, fossil fuel production and subsidies, air travel, financial transactions, and extreme wealth feature prominently in agendas to reform the international financial architecture, such as Barbados’s Bridgetown 2.0 and African leaders’ Nairobi Declaration, and in the recent Paris Pact for People and the Planet. These calls have been taken up by a new International Tax Task Force, launched by France and Kenya at COP28, to deliver a verdict on the options available.

Beautiful ideas and big numbers abound, but the real challenge is more direct: Who pays? Industries will always pass the tax on to the consumer—but which consumers, where? There is also a question of equity and justice: Why should consumers in developing countries be taxed to pay for a problem they did not create?

It’s possible to create taxes that incorporate such concerns. Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Chile, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom and hosted by the World Health Organization, Unitaid is a successful global health program for low- and middle-income countries that receives over half its funding from air passenger levies. The levies—introduced as low as 1 euro for economy seats on flights within Europe and up to 40 euros for business seats on long-haul flights—are collected and earmarked for Unitaid by governments in 10 developed and developing countries. By 2012, the levies were raising between 162 million and 175 million euros per year, totaling 1 billion euros since its creation. According to an assessment by the French government in 2009, “The introduction of the levy had no apparent effect on the volume of air traffic passing through French airports nor on the volume of air traffic affecting France.”

But finding examples of similar financing success is hard, especially on a global scale. Many options have been proposed, such as taxes on shipping, aviation, fossil fuel production or exchange, financial transactions, and extreme wealth, but only shipping has made serious institutional progress. Last year, countries in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed on a decarbonization strategy for the shipping industry that depends on the introduction of a global tax. This would make a tax on shipping, responsible for 3-4 percent of global emissions, the first global carbon tax. According to estimates from the World Bank, such a tax could raise $40 billion to $60 billion per year.

That is the upside. The downside is that the shipping industry and many countries with shipping interests are willing to agree chiefly because they expect the revenues to flow back into the shipping industry to fund their push for ships and ports running on accessible, but still expensive, hydrogen and ammonia fuels. It is difficult to achieve a global tax; it is more difficult still to retain the revenues. As of the last IMO meeting in March, a proposal spearheaded by a group of Pacific small island developing states that would allocate the majority of the revenue to broader climate objectives is one of several options being considered as the economic measure to deliver the decarbonization strategy.

A number of countries have expressed interest in establishing international climate solidarity levies, or ICSLs, to pay for addressing loss and damage, but the campaign is still waiting for a developed-country champion. Should one emerge, ICSLs at the national or city level could raise substantial and predictable additional revenues for the Loss and Damage Fund. Oxford Climate Policy’s Benito Müller, a leader in the current campaign for ICSLs, estimates that a 5 euro air levy on all air tickets across the European Union would have raised around 1 billion euros in 2019, while—following the proposal by the IMO’s Emission Reduction Scheme—a levy of 10 euros per maritime container across the same jurisdictions would in 2021 have generated 924 million euros.

In the end, taxes and levies are a question not of economy per se but of political economy. This is the challenge before the International Tax Task Force: to evaluate and advance proposals based on political feasibility as well as projected impact.

Consider one prominent idea, for a global tax on extreme wealth where billionaires are charged some small portion of their net worth every year. Gabriel Zucman, a top French economist, has championed the idea, as has French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who said in April: “This is exactly what we did with minimum taxation on corporate tax. … It would be the same on the international taxation for the wealthiest individuals.”

Just days after Le Maire’s endorsement, finance ministers from Brazil, Germany, South Africa, and Spain endorsed the idea of a 2 percent minimum global tax on billionaires. In a co-written Guardian article, the ministers declared that such a tax would “boost social justice and increase trust” as well as generate more than $250 billion in revenues for governments to invest in public goods. The ministers also urged the G-20 to take up the idea on its agenda at its July meeting, in Brazil. While this is encouraging, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen dismissed the “notion of some common global arrangement for taxing billionaires with proceeds redistributed in some way. … That’s something we can’t sign on to.” The wealth tax may move forward despite Washington’s concerns, but it is unlike to involve any formal mechanism for redistributing revenues across countries.

Innovative finance is not a silver bullet, nor is it a substitute for developed countries’ existing climate and development obligations. The majority of public funding for climate finance will still have to come from direct government outlays. This requires strong and empowered public sectors in developed and developing countries alike. Recent gains in international tax reform suggest a way forward. More than 140 countries have agreed to impose a minimum effective rate of 15% on corporate profits, a policy launched by OECD countries in 2021. Tax reform efforts in the UN have also picked up speed. Following a historic breakthrough at the UN General Assembly in November 2023, the UN has started the negotiation of the terms of reference for a new Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

Despite the obstacles, we are at an inflection point in the long battle for new global taxes for climate. In addition to the leadership of developed-country and emerging-economy first movers, the continued leadership of small island states is essential. Small island states are champions of ambition by necessity. They sounded the alarm early and led the campaigns for adaptation and loss and damage finance, including in ambitious, practical, and yes, innovative, forms. Today, the world is closer than it has ever been to implementing a global carbon tax—thanks not to the great powers but to the small island states that found a way forward.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Lula to meet with Macron, Pope on Europe trip

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will leave Brazil on Monday night for a week-long trip to Europe, where he will meet with Pope Francis and participate in the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Lula will depart from Recife airport and arrive in Rome on Tuesday, where he will meet with Italian sociologist Domenico de Masi. Mr. Masi previously visited Lula in prison in early 2019, calling him “the most important leader in the world.” After serving 580 days in prison for corruption and money laundering, Lula left jail in late 2019 after the Supreme Court quashed his sentence, ruling that Sergio Moro was a biased judge in his case.

On Wednesday, Lula will meet separately with Italian President Sergio Matarella, Pope Francis, and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Lula met the Pope in early 2020. This time around, he has promised to invite Pope Francis to the Círio de Nazaré, a huge Catholic festival held every October in the Amazonian city of Belém, a shoo-in to host the COP climate conference in 2025.

Continue reading.