EPA to combat climate change after congressional inaction

Most climate change actions take place in the international context in terms of multilateral negotiations and accords or in bilateral agreements between heads of the state. Parliaments or legislatures such as the United States Congress are in a crucial position when it comes to converting agreements or aims to action in domestic politics. The United States has played a volatile role in international negotiations on climate change. From categorically rejecting the Kyoto protocol during the George W. Bush administration, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would join the Paris Climate Accord prior to President Donald J. Trump's announcement of the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Accord. In domestic politics, too, efforts to address climate change have likewise varied. This article explores the complexity of climate change as a political question in the United States and considers the problematic issue that explains why the United States Congress has not have similar momentum to address climate change since the House of Representatives passed cap and trade legislation in 2009. The focus will be on theoretical discussions on congressional inaction and the United States Congress members' views on how and to what extent that institution should play a role in addressing climate change.

Spurred by U.S. congressional inaction on climate change and by President Barack Obama's comments on the topic in his 21 January inaugural address, several Democratic members of Congress announced at a Capitol Hill briefing the formation of a bicameral task force on climate change. In addition, they have called on the president to use his administrative authority to deal with the issue.

The rapid growth in carbon disclosure in recent years represents a major success in the struggle to build awareness and action on climate change. Despite the Copenhagen debacle and Congressional inaction in the US, the measurement and reporting of carbon emissions at the product, facility and organization levels display considerable momentum. The growth of carbon disclosure is the result of three core drivers: regulatory compliance, pressure from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and managerial information systems intended to facilitate participation in carbon markets, reduce energy costs and manage reputational risks. In this essay, we argue that the strategies pursued by 'institutional entrepreneurs' have played a key role in the successful institutionalization of carbon disclosure by bringing together companies, NGOs and government agencies. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), in particular, has displayed strategic skill in presenting the project in ways that appeal to multiple stakeholders and building broad legitimacy for reporting standards. Some 3000 organizations in 66 countries around the world now measure and disclose their emissions and climate strategies through CDP (Price Waterhouse Coopers, 2010). Carbon disclosure has become an important institution of governance, raising awareness about climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, while generating legitimacy for the principle of external accountability. Most importantly, the rise of voluntary carbon disclosure has demonstrated to business the feasibility and potential benefits of carbon measurement and reporting, such as management of reputation and energy costs. In turn, this has opened political space for regulatory initiatives that mandate disclosure and formalize carbon accounting standards. Despite the rapid uptake of carbon disclosure, there are some troubling questions about the trajectory along which the institution is evolving and its ultimate impact. Tensions exist between two 'institutional logics', a corporate logic of carbon risk management and carbon trading, and an NGO-oriented logic based on transparency and accountability. We argue that the field is drifting toward a more corporate logic, and that while this enhances the diffusion of disclosure, it also weakens it as a tool for driving the substantial cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions needed to address climate change. Our analysis also highlights that building new institutions requires not just discursive strategies to frame issues in a particular way, but also political and economic strategies

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts range from affecting agriculture, further endangering food security, to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones increasing the intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and spread of vector-borne diseases. This issue is of immense importance for every global citizen. Hence it requires an initiative against it globally.[1] Youth play a crucial role in combating climate change. A questionnaire-based pilot survey was conducted in Pune city of Maharashtra state, Indiam to assess awareness about climate change among the college going youth. Amongst 201 respondents 66.2% were males and 33.8% were females studying in various faculties or courses. About 98.5% respondents said global climate is changing, 95.5% of the respondents also commented that human activities contribute to climate change. The study also assessed awareness regarding major international organizations and panels working on global climate change and its effects. Only 45.3% of the respondents knew about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Kyoto Protocol while 45.8% were aware of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which conducts scientific analysis of climate change, global warming and its impacts. About 54.5% of the respondents believed that youth could play a major role in combating climate change. As per the 60th annual DPI/NGO conference organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in collaboration with the NGO/DPI, an executive committee meet on “Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All” was held from September 5 to 7, 2007, at the United Nations Headquarters. It stressed the role of youth, the next generation which inhabits the Earth and inherits the responsibility to protect the planet, in fighting the complex scientific problems and social quandaries presented by climate change. Youth education represents one of the most effective tools to combat the destructive potential of climate change and cultivate an international understanding among members of the next generation since it is a long-term process that will impact an infinite number of future generations.[2] The theme of International Youth Day, 2008, was “Youth and Climate change: Time for action.” In his address, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations said young people who are adept at spreading new habits and technologies are well placed to contribute to the fight against climate change. Mr. Ban stressed: “They (youth) are adaptable and can quickly make low-carbon lifestyles and career choices a part of their daily lives. Youth should therefore be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels. They can actively support initiatives that will lead to the passage of far-reaching legislation.”[3] A more defined role should be given to the youth to prevent the impact of climate change. It is essential to conduct major studies among youth regarding awareness about climate change as well as role of youth in combating climate change.

INTRODUCTION. Climate change is the most important megatrend, which has a multiplier effect on the following: sovereignty of States (especially in contrast to the example of small island developing States whose territories may soon disappear – “to go under water”), forced displacement of the population both within States and outside (“environmental refugees”, “climate refugees”), increasing pressure on natural resources, increasing the number of natural disasters, desertification and water deficiency. It is possible to combat climate change only jointly at the international level and in accordance with international law. Since the problem of climate change has recently been discussed in the international field, there is an urgent need to create new instruments in international law and to adapt existing instruments. As a result of the consensus of positions of developed and developing States in 1992, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, then in 1997 by the Kyoto Protocol, and in 2015 – the Paris Agreement. Dozens of decisions are issued at the annual Conferences of the parties to these international agreements, which have a recommendatory force, but which have a significant impact on the maintenance of the international regime for combating the climate change. Furthermore, in various branches of international law (international human rights law, international economic law, international air law, international maritime law), mandatory and recommendatory acts are adopted to prevent climate change and adapt to the happened changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study is based on a significant amount of materials, including international legal acts, recommendatory acts, national legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as modern doctrinal studies of Russian and foreign authors. The methodological basis of the research is the general methods of cognition (method of logical and systematic analysis, dialectical method, methods of deduction and induction) and specific methods of science (historical legal, comparative legal and formal legal methods, method of legal modeling and forecasting), and the method of legal forecasting. RESEARCH RESULTS. In this research the author analyzed various international mandatory and recommendatory instruments summarized the doctrinal positions of Russian and Western legal scholars and set out in domestic and foreign scientific literature, proposed amendments to Russian legislation to comply with international law in the field of combating climate change. The article summarizes the approaches under consideration and draws conclusions regarding the positioning of the Russian Federation and the United States in relation to the formation of an international legal regime for combating climate change. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. International legal documents on combating climate change, both binding and recommendatory, are adopted in the field of international environmental law, international human rights law, international air law, international maritime law, international economic law. This shows that today there is an international legal regime to combat climate change. The combating climate change is closely interconnected with the Sustainable Development Goals (2016–2030), which should also be taken into account in the implementation of international and national law. Moreover, not only States and international intergovernmental organizations, but also non-governmental actors (large cities, TNCs, NGOs) are being called to implement the provisions of international legal instruments. It is concluded that there is a necessity to closely monitor the ongoing changes in the international field in the fight against climate change, the participation of the Russian Federation in them in order to develop their own position regarding the regulation of various issues related to combating climate change.

Climate Change and the Future: Discounting for Time, Wealth, and Risk

Introduction. The armed invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has had terrible consequences not only for the population and infrastructure, but also for the environment. It is no coincidence that the environment is called a silent victim of war, requiring special comprehensive legal protection. Our future depends on preserving the environment. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the environmental damage caused by Russiaʼs full-scale military operations amounts to $57 billion. More than half of this amount of environmental damage is due to air pollution from forest fires, missile attacks, and the burning of oil products. In addition, more than 1.2 million tonnes of harmful emissions were released into the atmosphere, contributing to the global climate crisis. To date, more than 265 war crimes against the environment and 14 cases of ecocide have been recorded. The aggressor state must be held accountable for all these actions, which destroy Ukrainian ecosystems and cause climate change, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. That is why the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy proposed the «Peace Formula», a plan to end the war, with a separate clause aimed at preserving the Ukrainian environment and bringing Russia to international responsibility for environmental crimes committed during the international armed conflict. The aim of the article. The purpose of this article is to define the peculiarities of the Ukrainian «Peace Formula» implementation in the context of environmental protection and counteracting climate change. Results. The President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy presented the «Peace Formula», the environmental component of which was embodied in paragraph 8. The «Peace Formula» focuses on three main areas of ensuring environmental safety and counteracting the environmental consequences of war. Firstly, it is an assessment of the environmental damage caused, including the impact on human health and biodiversity. Secondly, it is a thorough preparation of the evidence base and finding ways to bring the aggressor state to international responsibility for environmental damage. Third, it is the protection, preservation and restoration of the environment as part of the transition to a «green» economy. The restoration of the Ukrainian environment should include such measures as: land reclamation and demining; revival of destroyed forests and nature reserves; water purification; creation of new national parks and protected areas, etc. According to V. Zelenskyy, the «Peace Formula» is a platform not only for a just end to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. It can become a universal basis for ending other military conflicts in the world and overcoming global problems. Russiaʼs armed aggression against our country poses numerous challenges to all of humanity — from the threat of a nuclear catastrophe and undermining food security to the intensification of anthropogenic climate change factors. The International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War reaffirms its readiness to work in the key areas, identified in paragraph 8 of the «Peace Formula», despite the existing gaps. Over the next year, it plans to promote its recommendations for Ukraineʼs transition to a greener future, protecting its environment and achieving justice for environmental damage. During the international forum «United for Justice. United for Nature», the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine R. Strilets presented the International Environmental Declaration. It should help develop common tools for all states to assess environmental damage and bring any aggressor state to international responsibility. According to the minister, the Environmental Declaration should enshrine the legal status of the Global Platform for Assessing the Damage Caused to the Climate and Environment by Military Actions. It is worth reminding that V. Zelenskyy announced the need for its creation at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in 2022. This initiative is reflected in paragraph 8 of the Ukrainian «Peace Formula». Conclusions. The «Peace Formula» is an important initiative of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy aimed at ending the Russian-Ukrainian war by combining joint efforts of states to protect and preserve the environment, prevent ecocide during hostilities, and combat climate change. It drew the international communityʼs special attention to the extent of the damage to the Ukrainian environment and climate that must be eliminated and compensated by the aggressor state. Together with our international partners, our country continues to work on the implementation of paragraph 8 of the «Peace Formula». In order to implement the environmental component of the «formula», Ukraine developed the Environmental Declaration, which was first presented at the International Forum «United for Justice. United for Nature» and later at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. This document should become the basis for intergovernmental cooperation in the field of environmental protection and combating climate change in the context of Russiaʼs armed aggression against Ukraine. Its positive assessment by the international community shows that our country is moving in the right direction on the path to restoring environmental justice. The «Peace Formula» should become a driving force for fundamental changes in environmental protection during international armed conflicts. Key words: war crimes, environmental damage, ecocide, climate crisis, UN Climate Change Conference, international responsibility, post-war environmental restoration.

The article carries out the analysis of scientific researches and current legislation in the sphere of prevention and combating climate change. It is determined that the basis for the development of effective national legislation in this area should be formed by the state climate policy. It is proved that the institute of normalization occupies a leading role in providing effective legal regulation in the sphere of prevention and combating negative environmental changes caused by climate change. It is proposed to define ecological normalization in the sphere of climate change prevention as an activity of the authorized state bodies in the development, establishment and implementation of the normative standards of pollutants affecting the climate (limit permissible values of greenhouse gas emissions) with the purpose of limiting and controlling the effects of climate change, preventing its change and ensuring a favorable environmental status as a whole. The article proves the necessity of making amendments to the laws of Ukraine “On protection of the environment” and “On protection of the atmospheric air”, as the initial stage of formation of legal regulation in the field of prevention and combating climate change at the national level, with the prospect of adoption of a special regulatory legal act in this area. Thus, the definition of the concepts of “climate” and “normalization in the sphere of climate change prevention”, as well as legal measures to prevent and combat climate change in Ukraine, which should include the development, installation and implementation of standards for emissions of pollutants affecting the climate (standards of greenhouse gas emissions) should be enshrined in law. Attention is drawn to the fact that the slow pace of development and adoption of regulations in the sphere of climate change prevention, the problems of implementation of the already adopted laws are due to the lack of a mechanism to take into account the problem of climate change and to provide conditions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other spheres of state policy, while developing national strategies and programs, etc.

The present investigation aims to analyse the influence of bioclimatic predictors on the geographical distribution of the species Opatrum sabulosum (Linnaeus, 1761) and to predict changes in its range in the context of global warming. Opatrum sabulosum, a species belonging to the Tenebrionidae family, exhibits a high degree of plasticity in its environmental requirements, yet remains susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) was employed to model the ecological niche, with the species distribution data from the GBIF database and key bioclimatic variables such as temperature, precipitation, and their seasonality being utilised. Forecasts were made for the present and up to 2080 under four climate change scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. The results indicate that the key factors affecting the distribution of O. sabulosum are the minimum temperature of the coldest month, the average temperature of the coldest quarter, and the amount of precipitation in the warmest and wettest quarters. The analysis indicates that, under current conditions, the most favourable habitats for the species are located in Western Europe, southern Britain, Scandinavia and the northern Black Sea region. In the context of a moderate warming scenario (SSP1-2.6), the species' range is projected to expand in an eastward and northeasterly direction, driven by rising average temperatures and an enhanced water balance. Conversely, under extreme scenarios (SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5), a decline in habitat quality in the southeastern part of the species' range is projected due to elevated temperatures, reduced humidity, and instability in climatic parameters. The practical significance of these results lies in the possibility of using these data to develop adaptation strategies for biodiversity conservation and effective management of natural resources. Forecasts of the distribution of O. sabulosum can serve as a basis for assessing the risks of ecosystem changes and creating new protected areas. Information regarding the species' sensitivity to climate change is also important for the sustainable development of agroecosystems, in which this species plays a role in maintaining soil fertility. The findings of this study are directly pertinent to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in 2015. Specifically, the study contributes to the implementation of SDG 13 'Combat climate change' by providing a more nuanced understanding of the effects of climate change and the adaptation of ecosystems to new conditions. The findings are also pertinent to SDG 15, 'Conserve terrestrial ecosystems', as predicting species distribution helps to conserve biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems. The integration of these findings into environmental management practices is expected to contribute to ensuring environmental sustainability, efficient use of natural resources, and the creation of a harmonious environment for future generations. Prospects for further research include long-term monitoring of O. sabulosum populations, integration of genetic data to assess the species' adaptive potential, and expanding the analysis to include anthropogenic factors such as land use change, urbanisation and agricultural activities. This will allow more accurate forecasting of ecosystem changes in the future.

In this article, the authors will support Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) as a tool to combat Climate Change (CC) adverse impacts on the basis of real sites, indicators, and specific cases located Spain. MAR has been used in Spain in combination with other measures of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change (CC) challenges. The main effects of CC are that the rising of the average atmospheric temperature together with the decreasing average annual precipitation rate cause extreme weather and induce sea level rise. These pattern results in a series of negative impacts reflected in an increase of certain events or parameters, such as evaporation, evapotranspiration, water demand, fire risk, run-off, floods, droughts, and saltwater intrusion; and a decrease of others such as availability of water resources, the wetland area, and the hydro-electrical power production. Solutions include underground storage, lowering the temperature, increasing soil humidity, reclaimed water infiltration, punctual and directed infiltration, self-purification and naturalization, off-river storage, wetland restoration and/or establishment, flow water distribution by gravity, power saving, eventual recharge of extreme flows, multi-annual management and positive barrier wells against saline water intrusion. The main advantages and disadvantages for each MAR solution have been addressed. As success must be measured, some indicators have been designed or adopted and calculated to quantify the actual effect of these solutions and their evolution. They have been expressed in the form of volumes, lengths, areas, percentages, grades, euros, CO2 emissions, and years. Therefore, MAR in Spain demonstrably supports its usefulness in battling CC adverse impacts in a broad variety of environments and circumstances. This situation is comparable to other countries where MAR improvements have also been assessed.

Climate change, one of the prominent phenomena being experienced all over the earth, is continuing since the formation of the earth and will continue for decades. Climate change is more than global warming or sea-level rise; the rise in average temperature is only one indicator of broader changes also translating into extreme temperatures, drought, flooding, storms, rising sea levels, impacts on food production and infectious diseases. A large number of legally binding human rights obligations have been agreed upon by many nations since the creation of the United Nations. Although, the concern lies not just in climate change, but in vulnerable climatic variations and rapid changes in patterns also. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently concluded that ‘Climate change is a human tragedy in the making. Allowing that tragedy to evolve would be a political failure that merits the description of an outrage to the conscience of mankind’. This article sets out the relevance of sustainability and climate change in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) region of India. Highlighting the multiple constraints of climate change and possessing the risk to human and potentially leading to their serious and widespread anthropogenic contribution to the increase in atmospheric CO2 and other GHGs. The article demonstrates the formation of urban heat island (UHI) over the area of Delhi NCR, footprints of urbanisation, frequent climatic changes, concretisation, and land-use conversions resulting into a threat to human health and well-being. Several international agreements on combating climate change as well as steps taken nationally to improve the environmental conditions keeping a focus on afforestation, green belt initiative, use of CNG, treatment of wastewater and light on serious damage done to Yamuna river. The recorded differential cooling and heating of various land use/cover, large temperature ranges are associated with bare land, built-up land, etc., the results suggest that methodology is feasible to estimate surface emissivity and surface temperature with reasonable accuracy over heterogeneous urban area, stating that north-south and west-east gradient of temperature demonstrates that the core of Delhi has a much lower temperature and UHI phenomenon. Extremely high-and low-temperature conditions in built-up land have direct and negative impacts on health conditions, and therefore are imperative to study. Thus, an attempt has been made in this research to analyse climatic variations and temporal differences in the city of Delhi.

Professor Lord Hunt, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to open this important scientific meeting on the impacts of climate change on urban areas. As you know, the overwhelming majority of scientific opinion supports the view that human activities are changing the Earth's climate. There really

Contributions of climate change and human activities to vegetation dynamics in Qilian Mountain National Park, northwest China

The paper aims to form a systemic view of the problems of ecological economics in the context of climate change from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a result, the author substantiates the systemic role of combating climate change in the development of ecological economics. The author finds that the components of ecological economics are closely interrelated (interdependent by 43.11%) and experience common problems due to climate change. Combating climate change has been proven to be a common problem in the development of the ecological economics, affecting the implementation of its constituent SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 11, SDG 14, and SDG 15. The author proposes a systemic approach to solving the problems of ecological economics through combating climate change, which makes it possible to fully implement SDG 13 by increasing the availability and development of “clean” energy (in the implementation of SDG 7) and developing responsible production and consumption. The theoretical significance of these results is that they formed a systemic view of ecological economics and its key problem (climate change) and provided a holistic view of ecological economics from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The practical significance of the proposed systemic approach to solving the problems of the ecological economics through combating climate change is that it makes it possible to most fully engage and optimally use the levers of management and stimulates the development of the ecological economics, unlocking the potential of reducing environmental costs of economic growth.KeywordsSystemic approachEcological economicsClimate changeCombating climate changeSustainable development goals (SDGs)JEL ClassificationQ01Q54Q57Q58

Afghanistan stands prominently among nations significantly impacted by climate change, a consequence exacerbated by successive wars and economic challenges. The new government in Afghanistan has many tasks to accomplish, chief among them being the imperative task of addressing climate change. Effectively combatting climate change necessitates the establishment of a robust legal framework and the adherence to a fundamental governance principle the rule of law. This research explores the indispensable role and importance of the rule of law and discusses the ways which are beneficial in combating climate change, Likewise, it reminds the government and the people to this important principle (the rule of law), and highlights its value. The research aims to inform policymakers and legal practitioners, providing valuable insights into the importance of the rule of law and climate action in Afghanistan and to clarify the significance of the determination of responsibilities of government in this manner. This research is bibliographic and relying on secondary data sources. The findings of this research show that the rule of law outlines how governments and individuals must legally address climate change responsibilities. This not only ensures effective implementation but also promotes international cooperation, clarity, and confidence in combating climate change and resolving existing issues.