Drowning in rubbish: Easter Island leads the fight against plastic pollution
Issued on:
Located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, more than 3,600 kilometres off the coast of Chile, Easter Island is best known for its Moai statues. These ancient megalithic figures bear witness to the transformation of the island, which is becoming increasingly polluted by plastic waste.
According to researchers, around 4.5 million items of rubbish wash up on the island’s shores every year – carried by maritime currents or dumped by industrial fishing boats.
To solve the problem and clean up its coastline, the island is seeking to lead the fight against plastic pollution in the region while raising awareness among its inhabitants.
'Queen of Trash' in dock in Sweden's
biggest toxic waste scandal
Greta Thunberg arrested at pro-Palestinian protest in Denmark
Police on Wednesday arrested a group of pro-Palestinian students including the 21-year-old activist Greta Thunberg who had occupied a building at the University of Copenhagen to protest what they said was the university's continued "cooperation with academic institutions in Israel”.
Greta Thunberg and a group of activists were arrested on Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities, Danish media reported.
Images on daily Ekstrabladet showed the 21-year-old climate activist, wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh shawl draped over her shoulders, being escorted out of a campus building by police.
Thunberg meanwhile shared images on Instagram of riot police entering a building where the group “Students against the Occupation” were staging a protest.
“I can’t confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration,” a Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP.
“They are suspected of forcing their way into the building and blocking the entrance,” he said.
The Students against the Occupation said in a statement posted on Instagram that “while the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel.”
“We are occupying” the university’s “central administration with one demand: academic boycott now.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at universities around the United States and Europe since last spring to protest against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.
(AFP)
Volvo scraps plan for fully electric fleet by 2030,
citing market conditions, demand
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Volvo said Wednesday it no longer plans to have a fully electric fleet of vehicles by 2030.
The Swedish automaker announced the decision in a statement saying it now aims for 90% to 100% of its global sales volume within the same timeframe to consist of "electrified cars" which it identified as "in essence, all cars with a cord" including both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models.
"The remaining 0-10% will allow for a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed," Volvo said.
Volvo said there has been a slower-than-expected rollout of EV charging infrastructure combined with the withdrawal of government incentives in some markets and uncertainties caused by tariffs in some markets.
Like the 100% tarriff on Chinese EVs in Canada and the USA?
Volvo said it has five fully electric cars now and another five models in development.
"While Volvo Cars will retain its position as an industry leader in electrification, it has now decided to adjust its electrification ambitions due to changing market conditions and customer demands," the Volvo statement said.
By 2040, Volvo said, it expects to reach net zero greenhouse emissions.
Hopefully, by then the world will realize that anthropogenic carbon dioxide production is not 100% responsible for global warming.
"We are resolute in our belief that our future is electric," said Volvo CEO Jim Rowan. "An electric car provides a superior driving experience and increases possibilities for using advanced technologies that improve the overall customer experience.
"However, it is clear that the transition to electrification will not be linear, and customers and markets are moving at different speeds of adoption. We are pragmatic and flexible, while retaining an industry-leading position on electrification and sustainability."
In 2021 the company declared all of its vehicles would be fully electric by 2030 and also sold exclusively online.
At that time Volvo said by 2025 EVs would comprise 50% of its global sales with the other half being hybrids.
Volvo said Wednesday by 2025 it expects 50% to 60% of its vehicles to be electrified and "well before the end of this decade" Volvo will have a complete lineup of fully electric cars available.
As for carbon dioxide emissions, Volvo said it "aims to have reduced CO2 emissions per car by 65%-75% compared to a 2018 baseline, an adjustment of the previous 75% reduction ambition."
Volvo's current five electric models include the EX40, the EC40, the EX30, the EM90 and the EX90.
========================================================
SCRAPPING climate tax on flying.
Scrapped Agenda 2030 global goals from government directives.
Scrapped climate taxes on fuel.
Going against the cashless agenda.
Has achieved net EMIGRATION for the first time in many decades.
