A version of this story appeared in the September 25 edition of CNN’s Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction newsletter. Sign up here to receive the need-to-know headlines every weekday.
The United Nations says it is necessary to phase out fossil fuels to stop catastrophic man-made climate change. But getting rid of them is going to be hard. Below, we look at four parts of the world once again turning to fossil fuels to help salvage their economies.
A false sense of security has developed over the summer. Deaths are still well below April’s peak despite cases reaching record highs in recent days, Emma Reynolds writes.
But tragedy looms this winter, especially with flu season on its way. Infections will rise among older, more vulnerable populations, and experts are bracing for overwhelmed health systems and a high death toll.
Mass outbreaks are also occurring at European colleges, which reopened this month. Prince William’s alma mater, the University of St Andrews, is among the handful of Scottish universities asking students to self-isolate.
While the death toll is not expected to be as high as the first wave, officials like Kyriakides warn “the crisis is not behind us.”
YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED
Q: Did coronavirus lockdowns put a lasting dent in our collective carbon footprint?
A: The short answer: No. Global greenhouse gas emissions have fallen due to coronavirus lockdowns and current economic downturn means future emissions are projected to be slightly lower. But the recent decline won’t have any real impact on long-term climate change, according to exclusive data from the Climate Action Tracker. Global emissions are still higher than nations promised under international agreements. And much higher than they need to be to limit catastrophic climate change.
The research, published yesterday, said that the prerequisites for easing Covid-19 measures are:
- Knowledge of infection status
- Community engagement
- Adequate public health capacity
- Adequate health system capacity
- Border controls
Send your questions here. Are you a health care worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you’re facing: +1 347-322-0415.
WHERE THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND CORONAVIRUS CONVERGE
The US remains in the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic since cases never declined significantly to a “good baseline,” according to America’s leading infectious disease expert.
The idea of a second wave is based on the pattern seen during the 1918 pandemic, when cases were seen in the spring and then cases “literally disappeared” before there was an “explosion” of cases in the fall, Dr. Anthony Fauci said. “Rather than say ‘a second wave,’ why don’t we say ‘are we prepared for the challenge of the fall and the winter?’”
But critics of the choice say the decision to pour taxpayers’ money into the project ignores the impacts of climate change already being experienced in Alberta, as well as Canada’s commitments to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The United Kingdom has recorded 6,634 new cases in the past 24 hours – the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic, Public Health England tweeted on Thursday.
New restrictions aimed at controlling a second wave of coronavirus cases in England took effect the same day, including mandatory table service at pubs and a 10:00 p.m. closing time. Those may not sound like major changes, but for struggling pubs it could be the final nail in the coffin, Julia Horowitz writes.
While five sensitive mining locations in the Hasdeo Arand were eventually withdrawn from Modi’s list, the threat to the forest hasn’t subsided. And the push for more coal mining also has the potential to divert India from its global commitments to reduce emissions at a time where the country is reeling from extreme weather and water shortages linked to the climate crisis.
Confirmed cases and death rates remain low in many African countries, but early results in some communities suggest “that over 80% of cases in Africa are asymptomatic,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa.
There has been an uptick of cases since many countries began easing restrictions and opening economies back up. Yet experts are still unable to conclusively explain the region’s low death rates. Theories range from its youthful population to the potential cross-immunity that has developed from exposure to previous coronaviruses.
ON OUR RADAR
- Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose coronavirus vaccine has become the fourth to enter phase 3 trials in the US.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci says a “large proportion” of the US will not be vaccinated for Covid-19 this year.
- President Donald Trump claimed that the White House can overrule the US Food and Drug Administration’s attempt to toughen guidelines for a vaccine.
- The CDC said thousands of commercial flight passengers may have been exposed to Covid-19 since the start of 2020.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared Wednesday that a second wave is already underway in most of Canada.
- The United Kingdom is considering “human challenge trials” – testing vaccines on volunteers deliberately infected with Covid-19.
- France placed restrictions on bars and restaurants following a surge in cases.
- Modi has asked states in India to reduce Covid-19 restrictions and focus on restarting the economy.
- Israel has announced a significant tightening of restrictions during its second general lockdown, including strict limits on protests and prayer groups and a wider closure of places of work.
TODAY’S TOP TIP
Google Maps will soon show how prevalent coronavirus is in geographic areas with a new color-coded update. Jordan Valinksy explains how to use it once the feature becomes available this week on iOS and Android versions of the app
TODAY’S PODCAST
What’s it like to lead the whole world in the battle against the pandemic? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead on Covid-19. Listen Now.
In today’s podcast, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reflects on reaching a death toll the US should never have gotten to in the first place. Listen Now.