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Business Upturn
11-06-2025
- Science
- Business Upturn
Blue Planet Prize 2025: Announcement of Prize Laureates
TOKYO, Japan: This year marks the 34th awarding of the Blue Planet Prize, the international environmental award sponsored by the Asahi Glass Foundation, chaired by Takuya Shimamura. Every year, the Foundation selects two laureates, individuals, or organizations who have made significant contributions to the resolution of global environmental problems. The Board of Directors has selected the following 2025 Blue Planet Prize laureates. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Professor Robert B. Jackson (USA) 1. Professor Robert B. Jackson (USA) Born on September 26, 1961 Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University Professor Robert B. Jackson is an expert on the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. He has conducted pioneering research on the relationship between soil, vegetation, and soil bacterial communities. In addition, he has quantified the balance of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, from natural ecosystems and from fossil fuel use. Since 2017, he has served as chair of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), leading efforts to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Dr. Jeremy Leggett (UK) Born on March 16, 1954Founder and CEO of Highlands Rewilding Ltd. Inaugural chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Blue Planet Prize 2025: Announcement of Prize Laureates
TOKYO, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This year marks the 34th awarding of the Blue Planet Prize, the international environmental award sponsored by the Asahi Glass Foundation, chaired by Takuya Shimamura. Every year, the Foundation selects two laureates, individuals, or organizations who have made significant contributions to the resolution of global environmental problems. The Board of Directors has selected the following 2025 Blue Planet Prize laureates. 1. Professor Robert B. Jackson (USA) Born on September 26, 1961Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University Professor Robert B. Jackson is an expert on the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. He has conducted pioneering research on the relationship between soil, vegetation, and soil bacterial communities. In addition, he has quantified the balance of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, from natural ecosystems and from fossil fuel use. Since 2017, he has served as chair of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), leading efforts to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Dr. Jeremy Leggett (UK) Born on March 16, 1954Founder and CEO of Highlands Rewilding chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative Dr. Jeremy Leggett, as the inaugural chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI), introduced the concept of the "carbon bubble," highlighting the economic risks associated with fossil fuel assets. Through CTI's activities, he influenced investors and policymakers, advancing the divestment movement. In addition, as a practical effort to balance economic activity with environmental conservation, he founded one of the UK's leading solar energy companies. More recently, he has been spearheading initiatives in Scotland to connect ecological restoration with community prosperity. Each laureate is presented with a certificate of merit, a commemorative trophy, and 500,000 US dollars in prize money. The Award Ceremony is scheduled on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Tokyo Kaikan. Commemorative lectures will be given on October 30th and November 1st, 2025, at the University of Tokyo and at the Kyoto International Community House (kokoka), respectively. View source version on Contacts Toshihiro Tanuma, PhDTHE ASAHI GLASS FOUNDATION2nd Floor, Science Plaza, 5-3 Yonbancho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0081 JapanPhone +81-3-5275-0620e-mail: post@ URL: Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
Blue Planet Prize 2025: Announcement of Prize Laureates
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This year marks the 34th awarding of the Blue Planet Prize, the international environmental award sponsored by the Asahi Glass Foundation, chaired by Takuya Shimamura. Every year, the Foundation selects two laureates, individuals, or organizations who have made significant contributions to the resolution of global environmental problems. The Board of Directors has selected the following 2025 Blue Planet Prize laureates. 1. Professor Robert B. Jackson (USA) Born on September 26, 1961 Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University Professor Robert B. Jackson is an expert on the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. He has conducted pioneering research on the relationship between soil, vegetation, and soil bacterial communities. In addition, he has quantified the balance of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, from natural ecosystems and from fossil fuel use. Since 2017, he has served as chair of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), leading efforts to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Dr. Jeremy Leggett (UK) Born on March 16, 1954 Founder and CEO of Highlands Rewilding Ltd. Inaugural chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative Dr. Jeremy Leggett, as the inaugural chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI), introduced the concept of the "carbon bubble," highlighting the economic risks associated with fossil fuel assets. Through CTI's activities, he influenced investors and policymakers, advancing the divestment movement. In addition, as a practical effort to balance economic activity with environmental conservation, he founded one of the UK's leading solar energy companies. More recently, he has been spearheading initiatives in Scotland to connect ecological restoration with community prosperity. Each laureate is presented with a certificate of merit, a commemorative trophy, and 500,000 US dollars in prize money. The Award Ceremony is scheduled on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Tokyo Kaikan. Commemorative lectures will be given on October 30th and November 1st, 2025, at the University of Tokyo and at the Kyoto International Community House (kokoka), respectively.
News18
28-05-2025
- General
- News18
World's Top Polluters: Where Does India Stand?
Last Updated: China, the USA, and India are the top carbon emitters, with China aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060, the US transitioning to renewables, and India targeting net zero by 2070 The primary global concern regarding climate change at the moment is minimising carbon emissions. Notably, the top three countries making significant efforts in this regard are China, the United States of America, and India. Global efforts are underway to address this issue. Top Carbon Emitting Countries Let us first look at the countries emitting the most carbon and the quantities they are emitting as of 2023. The data is provided in million tonnes of CO₂ per year (MtCO₂/yr), sourced from the Global Carbon Project, IEA, and EDGAR. China: Responsible for 30% of the world's total CO₂ emissions, primarily due to heavy reliance on coal. However, China is investing in solar and wind energy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. Current emissions are 12,400 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Coal (55%), Oil (20%) and Gas (10%). The United States of America: Accounts for 14% of global emissions. The USA is transitioning towards natural gas and renewable energy, though progress may be affected by political changes. Current emissions are 5,100 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Oil (45%), Gas (33%) and Coal (12%). India: Contributes 7% of global emissions. India is heavily dependent on coal but is working towards reducing this through renewable energy, with a goal of net zero by 2070. Current emissions are 3,400 MtCO₂. Energy sources: Coal (70%) and Oil (25%). Russia: Emits 5% of global carbon emissions, focusing on natural gas exports but lagging in renewable energy advancement. Emissions Per Capita (2023) Major Sources Of Emissions (By Country) What Are Greenhouse Emissions? Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing a greenhouse effect. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Released by burning fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel). Methane (CH₄): Emitted from agriculture, animal husbandry, and landfills. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Released from fertilisers and industrial processes. Fluorinated Gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF₆): Released from refrigeration and industrial use. Understanding Carbon Emissions top videos View all Carbon emissions mainly consist of CO₂, resulting from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, and constitute about 75% of GHG emissions. Both greenhouse and carbon emissions lead to global warming, climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. First Published: News india World's Top Polluters: Where Does India Stand?
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
The Double-Edged Sword of Trump's Tariffs: Environmental Whispers Amid Economic Pain
The Trump administration's recent tariffs on imported goods, primarily framed as economic nationalism to correct trade imbalances, have an often-overlooked aspect: potential environmental co-benefits in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fast fashion waste. Societally, it is useful that these environmental co-benefits may occur, especially when the administration is actively anti-GHG mitigation and has left the Paris climate agreement. There is value to exploration of these minor and likely temporary environmental advantages against the significant co-costs to labor, livelihoods, and the broader sustainable transition. While a superficial view might see an environmental silver lining, a deeper look reveals these benefits are overshadowed by detrimental economic and long-term environmental progress impacts. The Murky Silver Lining: Environmental Co-Benefits? Tariffs increase the cost of imported goods, typically leading to a reduction in international trade volume. This decrease in cross-border movement directly correlates with lower GHG emissions, particularly from the significant shipping and transportation sectors. Rob Jackson, head of the Global Carbon Project, a group of scientists who monitor greenhouse gas emissions yearly, noted that these tariffs may reduce emissions temporarily due to an anticipated economic downturn. This temporary dip results from reduced industrial output and consumption, lessening the demand for transporting raw materials and finished products globally. Proponents also argue that pricier imports could incentivize domestic manufacturing, potentially shortening supply chains and reducing the carbon footprint associated with complex global production. Localized production would eliminate extensive international shipping, thus lowering transportation emissions. President Donald Trump speaks during a 'Make America Wealthy Again' trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump speaks during a 'Make America Wealthy Again' trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington, tariffs are also expected to impact the fast fashion industry, known for its environmental consequences from overproduction and rapid disposal of clothing. The elimination of the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed low-value packages to enter the U.S. duty-free, directly increases the cost of fast fashion items from major online retailers like Shein and Temu, heavily reliant on direct-to-consumer shipments from China. The expectation is that higher prices will make frequent purchases of cheap, trendy clothing less appealing. Fashion industry experts and environmental advocates hope this price increase could shift consumer behavior toward fewer, higher-quality, and more durable garments, ultimately reducing textile waste in landfills. Additionally, more expensive new clothing due to tariffs might increase the popularity of the second-hand clothing market, further contributing to a more circular fashion economy by extending garment lifespans. The Sharp Edge: Co-Costs to Labor and Livelihoods Despite the superficial environmental benefits, the economic realities for American and international workers and consumers present a less optimistic picture. Tariffs on imported components and materials are expected to negatively affect employment in U.S. industries relying on these inputs, as increased costs could diminish their global competitiveness. A Goldman Sachs analysis suggests a potential net negative impact on overall U.S. employment of approximately 400,000 jobs. Even when the tariffs do create jobs in specific industries, the higher costs often outweigh these benefits. In his first administration, Trump's tariffs ended up costing consumers an average of $900,000 for every steel job created. Furthermore, workers in major apparel-producing countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia are particularly vulnerable. These countries could face average tariff rates of 46 percent, 37 percent, and 49 percent respectively if the 90-day pause expires. This could lead to American retailers reducing orders or seeking alternative sources, resulting in potential factory closures, job losses, and wage pressure in these export-dependent economies. Beyond direct employment impacts, tariffs act as a consumer tax, leading to higher prices for a wide range of imported goods, including clothing, electronics, and potentially groceries. Estimates from the Yale Budget Lab and the Center for American Progress indicate that the current tariff regime could cost the average U.S. household thousands of dollars annually, with estimates ranging from $1,200 to $5,200. This increased cost of living disproportionately affects low- and middle-income households, as tariffs are inherently regressive. The broader economic consequences of these tariffs also pose a significant threat to livelihoods. The risk of reduced GDP growth, potential recession, and increased economic uncertainty can negatively impact job security, investment opportunities, and overall economic well-being across various sectors. The potential revenue generated by these tariffs might not be sufficient to offset the widespread negative economic consequences for the average American family. The Illusion of Environmentalism While reduced emissions and less fast fashion waste might seem environmentally appealing, relying on tariffs as the primary means is inefficient and carries significant economic risks. A major concern is the potential for tariffs on imported components and materials to increase the cost of clean energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and EV batteries, hindering the crucial transition to a low-carbon economy. Experts largely agree the long-term environmental benefits of green energy solutions would outweigh the emissions costs required to ship these materials, thereby undoing the impact of tariffs. A more effective and sustainable approach to environmental protection involves direct and targeted policies, such as carbon pricing, stricter environmental regulations, and substantial public and private investments in renewable energy infrastructure and sustainable practices. These measures can directly address environmental challenges without the broad and often damaging economic consequences of tariffs. Furthermore, trade wars triggered by tariffs can undermine the international cooperation essential for tackling global challenges like climate change. When countries are in trade disputes, their willingness to collaborate on environmental issues, and other human health, safety, and security issues, decreases. While the Trump tariffs might offer a temporary and unintended environmental benefit by slightly slowing GHG emissions and potentially reducing fast fashion waste, these co-benefits are significantly outweighed by the substantial co-costs imposed on labor and livelihoods. The potential for job losses, wage stagnation, increased consumer prices, and broader economic instability far overshadow any minor environmental advantages. Moreover, relying on tariffs as a primary tool for environmental protection is a crude and ultimately counterproductive strategy, especially considering the potential to hinder the transition to clean energy. These co-benefits may be a small win for those who care about the environment and climate change, but the direct impacts of these tariffs are not worth the gamble with Americans' and international health, livelihood losses, and the impending loss of American influence and trust around the world. Longer-lasting benefits can only come from adopting targeted, direct, and internationally collaborative policies that prioritize environmental sustainability and economic well-being. It is this approach that can ensure a future where both people, in the United States and abroad, and the planet can prosper. J. Freya H. Latwin, Ph.D., holds degrees in environmental and developmental economics from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics and Political Science. She's lived and worked globally and holds affiliate academic positions at East Carolina University, George Mason University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
