Perhaps no Christmas custom is more ubiquitous than building a Christmas tree. It originated in Eastern Europe more than 500 years ago, when people decorated evergreen trees with roses or apples as symbols of Eve and the Garden of Eden. Today, this time-honored tradition is a thriving business that employs nearly 100,000 people, generates nearly $2 billion in revenue, and harvests 25 to 30 million natural Christmas trees annually—about 30 percent of which come from the Pacific Northwest. Sales of real Christmas trees have increased nearly 20 percent since 2020, although fake trees are also on the rise. Artificial trees have drawn criticism for the chemicals used in their production as well as their carbon footprint. But living trees also have disadvantages. One in particular—agricultural chemicals and the insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides used in tree cultivation—has attracted remarkably little attention, in part because of a lack of research on the risk to consumers or farmers. ((This story originally appeared in High Country News and is part of a Climate Desk collaboration.)

Bloomberg ) -- Tech companies have touted artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to tackle climate change, but first they may have to stop AI from making the problem worse. "It's absolutely true that AI is an energy-intensive technology," said Sims Witherspoon, head of climate change at Google DeepMind. "Until we have a grid that is completely clean energy driven, these technologies will have a carbon footprint." Witherspoon said this during an interview for the latest episode of the Bloomberg Originals series AI IRL, which is now available to stream.  According to the International Energy Agency, data centers worldwide currently account for approximately 1 to 1.5 % of global electricity consumption. But AI requires more energy than other forms of computing. As companies like Microsoft Corp., OpenAI Inc. and Alphabet Inc., which is Google's parent company, are racing to develop increasingly sophisticated AI systems, energy demands will only grow. One peer-reviewed study published in October estimated that the artificial intelligence industry could use as much electricity as a country the size of the Netherlands by 2027. (Jackie Davalos and Nate Lanxon , Bloomberg News)

When we look at a company's environmental impact, some comes from business operations such as manufacturing, transportation, and even business travel. However, an important part of greenhouse gas emissions also often comes from the organization's workplace.  Through the joint efforts and actions of the company's employees and managers, as well as continuous education, it is possible to combat climate change through an office that is more carbon neutral. It will have a positive impact on the environment and your customers and employees will definitely appreciate it. So let's take a look at what steps can be taken to promote sustainability within the office space itself. (travelperk.com)

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The winter holidays offer an opportunity for family and friends to get together to break bread, but why not make these moments eco-friendly? They are a great opportunity to have fun and be kind to our incredible planet, for all of us to try and exercise our green muscle memory by shopping consciously. Food accounts for 10-30 % of a household's carbon footprint. Food production contributes to 30 % of global greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Even more, the food industry occupies about 40 % of all land on Earth. Unsustainable food production amplifies all these environmental concerns and creates other problems. Unsustainable food production is a threat to food security. These practices, which lack environmental compatibility, are more significantly affected by climate change, making them particularly vulnerable to extreme weather. Choose sustainable ingredients to kick-start eco-friendly holiday traditions and effectively reduce the impact of this year's festivities.

Are you reading email? Watching a video on YouTube? Mindlessly scrolling through TikToks? Which apps we use on our phones – and for how long – can have a big impact on the carbon footprint of our digital lives. In today's world, it can feel like our entire lives are played out in front of a screen. Whether we're texting friends or laughing on TikToks, our digital devices are always nearby. Being close to them can help us feel more connected to friends or family. But it can also physically disconnect us from interacting with people face-to-face. In addition to our mental well-being, these devices can also affect the well-being of our planet. Every device we plug in or charge uses electricity. Much of this energy comes from burning fuels. which they add to the atmosphere greenhouse gases. As a result, each of our facilities leaves a footprint of climate-warming gases, usually carbon dioxide or CO ₂ . (Sarah Wells) 

Tourism is an area that was among the most affected during the global pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus. Many workers in this sphere not only lost their jobs and thus also their livelihoods, but as a result of the minimization of transport, especially long-distance transport, the hotel and restaurant industry also suffered significant losses. However, the situation is returning to its old ways, as according to CNN, by the end of July, international tourist arrivals worldwide reached 84 percent of the pre-pandemic level. In some European countries, such as France, Denmark and Ireland, tourism demand has even surpassed pre-pandemic levels. While this may be great news from an economic perspective, there are concerns that a return to the status quo could have fatal environmental and social consequences. (By: Ross Bennett-Cook, CNN travel)

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face as a species. Human activity over the past 200 years has meant that we are on the brink of environmental disaster. However, there are still things we can do to minimize the damage, and one such measure is reducing our carbon footprint. We've looked at what this means, what steps you can take and whether your individual carbon footprint matters in the grand scheme of things. You can minimize your carbon footprint and help the environment in many different ways. Whether you're at home, at work, at school, or when you're traveling, small changes can add up. In short, to reduce your carbon footprint, you'll want to do things like reduce the amount of energy you use, eat less animal products, shop local, travel smart, and reduce waste. To learn more about the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as some possible solutions, check out our online climate change courses .

Today not only marks the UN International Bank Day, it is also the fourth day of the COP28 summit in Dubai. With this in mind, the following table considers the topic of banking through an environmental lens and provides an overview of the carbon dioxide emissions of the largest banks in the world. According to the environmental reports on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions issued by the world's largest banks, the Agricultural Bank of China Limited produced more than two million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2022. It was followed by Industrial Commercial Bank of China Limited and China Construction Bank Corporation. As this infographic highlights, China occupied not only the first four places, but also the 11th and 14th places, with Postova sporiteľna v Chína Ltd. and Bank of Communications Co. Ltd. But the United States is also home to a number of huge banks with high carbon dioxide emissions. JPMorgan Chase reported the highest greenhouse gas emissions among non-Chinese banks at 961,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. (Anna Fleck)

It's that time of year again when many Americans visit their local tree stand to pick up a pine tree to install in their living room for a few weeks until it dies. Others find and pull a drop of plastic in the shape of a tree from storage. Whether plastic or organic, once adorned with ornaments, lights and tinsel, a Christmas tree is not only the focal point of Christmas morning, but of the holiday season as well. However, such trees can also become a source of stress, as the reality of climate change becomes more acute and tangible. Many might wonder: is it really a good idea to buy a cut down tree to stick in my living room for a month while atmospheric CO2 is rising at an unprecedented rate , the fires are burning stronger than before a rising sea levels flooding our coastal cities? (NICOLE KARLIS)

When consumers think of ways to reduce their carbon footprint, they probably think of ways to reduce car consumption, eat less animal products and reduce waste. But there is another, perhaps simpler, way to reduce emissions: delete old emails.? Your cluttered email inbox is a lesser-known climate villain that consumes energy and collectively produces hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide every day for years, even decades. Last year, 4.2 billion email users sent and received 333 billion emails a day, a number expected to reach 400 billion by 2026, Statista estimates. Meanwhile, the data centers and servers that transmit and store each email consume significant amounts of energy. According to Mike Berners-Lee, a UK carbon footprint researcher at Lancaster University, the energy and environmental costs of email are under-researched. The electricity consumed by e-mails results in a wide range of CO2 equivalents: from 0.05 grams for a spam e-mail caught by filters to 29 grams for a long e-mail sent to 100 people, he estimates. (Ab Nacef)

Tackling climate change will require world leaders to take action at the global level. But as individuals we also contribute to warming emissions. Here are some things you can do to reduce your personal impact.

1. Insulate your home

From installing a heat pump to turning down the heating, there are many changes to the home that can help the planet. "Switching from a gas or oil heating system to an electric heat pump makes a big difference," says Dr. Neil Jennings, an academic from Imperial College London. “Turning off lights and appliances every day when not in use can help us save money while reducing our impact on climate change.” (Chabarhub)

In the face of recent   to the National Climate Assessment report on the threats of climate change, the Trump administration continues to attempt to curtail environmental policies. However, individuals can make a difference by reducing their personal greenhouse gas emissions. While there are many ways to do this and save energy—like insulating your home, installing solar panels, and planting trees—the following are some of the simplest and easiest changes you can make. They require little effort or financial investment.

First, calculate your carbon footprint

Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases—including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases, and more—that you produce in your lifetime. Project Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project  determined that to keep global temperature rise to 2˚C or less, everyone on Earth would need to achieve an average annual carbon footprint of 1.87 tonnes by 2050. Currently, the average US carbon footprint per capita is 18.3 tons. By comparison, China's per capita carbon emissions are 8.2 tons. We all have a way of getting to 1.87 tons. (RENEE CHO)

These days you might be thinking about how to reduce your carbon footprint. Reports on the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels cannot be overlooked. Even if the problem is big, the small changes you make every day can contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Before we talk about ways to reduce your carbon footprint, we must first ask, “What is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the sum of all the by-products that come from using fossil fuels to produce and transport goods, build structures for homes and businesses, provide food and travel. The gases produced by these activities, namely carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and , are called greenhouse gases because they trap heat in the atmosphere, increasing the Earth's average temperature. Reducing your carbon footprint means changing the way you approach and participate in activities that produce greenhouse gases. This guide will show you how.(www.constellation.com)

If you are looking for sustainably produced  wine  in a bottle shop or grocery store, you're likely to come across a number of sustainability concepts –  organic, biodynamic, natural . It is important that you familiarize yourself with what these claims mean (and what certifications are available to back them up). But if you're really interested in buying sustainable wine, the complexity of what's going on in the vineyard can't be the only consideration. Although  fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides  play a role in the overall sustainability of a bottle of wine, if you're focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, don't forget the container it's packaged in. Sustainability certifications for wine generally do not take into account how the wine is packaged – let alone how far it must then travel to reach its final destination. But according to a 2022 review of studies on the carbon emissions of the wine industry, packaging is regularly cited as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, often producing more emissions than grape growing and winemaking combined. (SAMANTHA MAXWELL)

Measuring funded issuance is an increasingly important process that banks may need to consider given the growing expectations of stakeholders. It is also the first step for banks to understand the carbon exposure from their lending and investment activities, which can then help define strategies and measures to move towards a net-zero transition. In this report, the first in a series on net-zeroing for banks, we provide an overview of financed emissions and demonstrate how a bank can use MSCI Climate and Net-Zero Solutions to calculate its financed carbon footprint using a fictitious bank balance sheet. as an example. In future reports, we will cover the next steps on banks' journey to net zero, including sector-specific physical emissions intensity calculations, target setting and governance. (Guilherme de Melo Silva, Xinxin Wang, Guido Giese)

The growing popularity of larger automobiles, especially SUVs and pickup trucks, has raised considerable environmental concerns. Known for their higher fuel consumption and emissions, these vehicles mainly contribute to air pollution and climate change. Given the staggering 80-90 % of a car's environmental impact associated with fuel consumption and emissions, the rise of larger vehicles presents a significant challenge. This article delves into the multifaceted environmental implications of larger cars and highlights the urgency of sustainable alternatives and informed consumer decisions in the face of escalating climate concerns. Larger cars, such as SUVs, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The trend is alarming for the environment, as these vehicles produce more planet-warming pollution than most countries, according to CNN. It is important to recognize the impact of larger cars on the environment and to explore and promote sustainable alternatives such as electric vehicles and efficient public transport systems in order to mitigate the ongoing damage to the planet. (Mark Johnson)

The internet is often viewed through the lens of making the world a smaller and more accessible place, reducing the need to get in a car or board a plane, but make no mistake, even the internet has a carbon footprint. trace . Given the seemingly endless need for data centers, servers, and even cryptocurrency mining equipment various estimates suggest that internet use accounts for 2 to 4 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions, the same as the aviation industry.  These internet emissions inspired Greenie Web, a Singaporean start-up that seeks to make existing websites and website code more environmentally friendly. (Cody Combs)

Examples of large and medium-sized companies

Alliances for decarbonisation. Alcampo has launched a plan to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46 % by 2030 and reach neutrality by 2043.

Together program. Iberdrol's proposal to ensure that the development of renewable energy brings benefits to all (at the global level, contributing to climate action, and at the local level, generating economic activity and improving biodiversity).

The roof revolution. The Holaluz initiative, which combines solar panel installation and energy management to connect the rooftops of surrounding communities that collect the green surplus from their solar installations.

WasteWatch. A Sodexo program that uses automated measurement and analysis technology to provide detailed information on food waste and its causes, allowing you to optimize operations and empower teams as they work through their anti-waste role. (World Nation News Desk)

The foods we eat affect our health, which means we need to eat a balanced diet to meet our nutritional needs. The Healthy Dietary Guidelines outline the types and amounts of food to be eaten for a healthy and nutritious diet and have been developed for more than 100 countries worldwide . The basic message communicated through these guidelines is the same worldwide, recommending higher consumption of fruit and vegetables and minimal consumption of calorie- and nutrient-poor foods. If food consumption is not in accordance with the principles of healthy eating, the risk of many health conditions increases, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Fruits and vegetables start from the bottom of the food pyramid, which are the most important shelf and the foundation on which our diet should be based. It is recommended to consume at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, ideally seven portions. However, fruit and vegetable intake was too low, with most people consuming little more than two portions a day. Emissions associated with the current consumption of fruit and vegetables are low, approximately 0.15 kg CO2/day. Food consumption for cereal/starchy foods and dairy products was aligned with the recommended intake and a guideline was achieved for each of these shelves. Emissions associated with the cereal/starchy food and dairy food groups were 0.65 kg CO2/day and 0.73 kg CO2/day, respectively. Moving up the pyramid, foods on the protein shelf include meat, poultry, fish and legumes. Meat was consumed above the recommended amount by approximately 90 g per day. Consumption of food from the protein shelf generates emissions of approximately 2.8 kg of CO2/day. (By Marie Conway and Sinéad McCarthy, Teagasc)

As companies work to reduce their carbon footprint, there's one area they may not have even considered – their digital consumption. The internet is a major polluter, accounting for two to four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, on par with the aviation industry. The average person streams an average of five hours of content per day, resulting in the release of up to 1.57 million tons of CO2 emissions, or 0.57 billion tons per year. In response, companies are pioneering efforts to minimize the carbon footprint of streaming audio and video, demonstrating that technological advancements can be consistent with environmental responsibility. (Cate Lawrence)