December 13, 2023

Cop to It

The Story

For the first time ever, almost 200 countries agreed to move away from fossil fuels.

COP28?

Yes. Since the annual UN conference began in the ‘90s, countries have agreed to reduce emissions — but never called out fossil fuels, the leading cause of climate change. This year, that changed. For the past two weeks, as diplomats gathered in Dubai, tension mounted over whether to use language calling specifically to “phase” them out. On the one side: more than 100 countries calling for a reduction in oil and gas, including the US — the world’s top oil producer. On the other: Saudi-led oil-producing countries and climate deniers. The summit went into overtime and threatened to end without a deal. Today, after all-night discussions, countries landed on one.

Go on.

Instead of a “phase-out” or “phase down” of fossil fuels, the deal calls for “transitioning” away from fossil fuels “in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” That language could give countries some wiggle room. Still, it focuses countries on “fossil fuels” as they have two years to submit formal plans on how to cut their emissions. Conference president and oil exec Sultan al-Jaber called the deal “historic” and described the move away from fossil fuels as “inevitable.” Some small and developing countries criticized the deal as insufficient and said it puts disproportionate economic pressure on them as opposed to wealthy countries.

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Many remain skeptical that the deal coming out of COP28 will be enough to change the current trajectory on climate change. But the language provides a landmark warning to investors on where the world is headed with fossil fuels, just as Earth reached its hottest year on record.

What’s not quite seeing eye to eye…

Israel and the US. Yesterday, President Biden told donors that Israel is losing international support over its “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza — mostly women and children. Biden and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also aren’t on the same page about what a post-war Gaza could look like. The Biden admin has pushed for the Palestinian Authority, which oversees parts of the West Bank, to play a governing role. Netanyahu rejected that yesterday, saying that “Gaza will be neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan.” The news comes as a majority of the UN General Assembly voted for a cease-fire in Gaza, except for the US and nine other countries.

…Oh and speaking of politics, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent yesterday with congressional leaders in hopes of getting more aid for Ukraine.

Where’s the latest flashpoint for the abortion debate…

Kentucky. Yesterday, lawyers for a woman seeking an abortion said her embryo no longer has a heartbeat. Last week, the woman, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against the state’s abortion laws while eight weeks pregnant. Kentucky has a six-week abortion ban and a law that bans the procedure unless necessary to save a pregnant person’s life. Her suit argues the laws violate her rights to privacy and self-determination. Now, the case will continue, and her lawyers said any woman in the state could join the suit. The case is similar to a lawsuit out of Texas, where the woman in question ended up leaving the state to get an abortion.

Who people are remembering…

Andre Braugher. Yesterday, his publicist announced that the Emmy Award-winning actor died at age 61 after a brief illness. Born and raised in Chicago, Braugher went on to earn degrees from Stanford University and Juilliard. He was known for his roles in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Men of a Certain Age,” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.” Braugher recently co-starred in “She Said,” a movie about the New York Times investigation into Harvey Weinstein. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” co-star Terry Crews said Braugher “left us too soon.”

What’s letting the numbers do the talking…

Netflix. Yesterday, the streaming giant released its first-ever engagement report, analyzing over 18,000 titles and 100 billion hours of watched content. At the top of the list from January to June this year was “The Night Agent,” a show about an FBI agent doing agent things at the White House. Time to binge watch another show.

What’s finally getting the hint…

Inflation. Yesterday, the Labor Department said inflation eased up last month as gas prices dropped. It comes ahead of the Fed’s final meeting of the year today and as many are checking off their holiday shopping lists.

…Oh and if inflation has your wallet or credit card hurting, we have tips to bring your debt down.

Who’s getting vulnerable…

Amanda Bynes.

Who grabbed a pen…

BTS’ V.

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