Middle East

LNG To Fuel Conflict, Profit, Warming in Coming Years

A partisan debate has flared over liquified natural gas, as industry, environmentalists and politicians wrangle over LNG’s role in climate change and the energy transition, heating and electricity prices, and international and domestic U.S. politics. Backgrounder lays out LNG’s history, starting with the fracking boom and bringing it up to speed with the war in Ukraine and upcoming presidential elections.

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"U.S. Approves $500 Million for Bahrain Oil Project, Despite Opposition"

"A federal bank that finances projects overseas voted Thursday to put $500 million toward an oil and gas project in Bahrain, a transaction that critics said was out of step with President Biden’s climate commitments."

Source: NYTimes, 03/19/2024

Oil Spill And Fertilizer Leak From Sunken Cargo Ship Threaten Red Sea

"A vibrant fishing industry, some of the world’s largest coral reefs, desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water. They’re all at risk from large amounts of fertilizer and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels."

Source: AP, 03/04/2024

"US Warns Of Environmental Disaster From Cargo Ship Hit By Huthi Rebels"

"A cargo ship abandoned in the Gulf of Aden after an attack by Yemeni rebels is taking on water and has left a huge oil slick, in an environmental disaster that US Central Command said Friday could get worse."

Source: AFP, 02/26/2024

"Two Climate Advisers Quit U.S. Export-Import Bank Over Fossil Fuel Plans"

"A federal bank that finances projects overseas is set to vote on Thursday on whether to use taxpayer dollars to help drill oil and gas wells in Bahrain, a contentious decision that prompted two of the bank’s climate advisers to resign, according to people with knowledge of their decisions."

Source: NYTimes, 02/06/2024
March 1, 2024

DEADLINE: KSJ Fellowship for Advancing Science Journalism in Africa and the Middle East

Knight Science Journalism at MIT announces a new one-semester fellowship, Aug 15-Dec 31, 2024, with a $40,000 stipend, insurance and housing stipend. Open to journalists from the region with at least three years of experience in covering science, health and the environment. Apply by Mar 1.

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Rockets and Bombs and Chemicals — The Environmental Horrors of War

With the world in the midst of wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, it’s time for journalists to appraise — and report on — the intersection of conflict and the environment, argues the new Backgrounder. That means considering the environment not only as a victim of war, but also as the cause of war and a means of carrying it out.

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What’s Ahead on Climate Justice, Climate Crisis Beat

What environment stories will matter most in 2024 to communities of color and Indigenous communities? Columnist Yessenia Funes sheds light on concerns ranging from the environmental damage in Gaza and extreme weather across the United States to the fallout from the U.S. presidential election to the local impacts of the clean energy transition. Insights in the latest Voices of Environmental Justice.

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Cop28 President Says There Is ‘No Science’ Behind Demands For Fossil Phase-Out

"The president of Cop28, Sultan Al Jaber, has claimed there is “no science” indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C, the Guardian and the Centre for Climate Reporting can reveal."

Source: Guardian, 12/04/2023

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