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In the face of an escalating climate crisis, scientists are exploring increasingly unconventional ideas to cool the planet. One of the more intriguing — and surprising — proposals is the use of <keyword id="23626780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="diamond-dust" source="keywords">diamond dust</keyword> injected into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and <keyword id="19912640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="earth" source="keywords">Earth</keyword> scientists found that injecting synthetic diamond particles might be the most effective way to combat <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">global warming</keyword>. <h2>Just chill, chill</h2>Global temperatures are rising rapidly, and scientists warn that we may have already reached a tipping point. Simply reducing <keyword id="19951337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-emissions" source="keywords">carbon emissions</keyword> may no longer be enough. Some experts argue that we need active measures to cool the planet and prevent further catastrophic changes to global weather patterns. One potential solution? <keyword id="23626781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-geoengineering" source="keywords">Solar geoengineering</keyword> — a method that involves injecting <keyword id="23626782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reflective-particles" source="keywords">reflective particles</keyword>, or aerosols, into the atmosphere to bounce sunlight back into space. Historically, sulphur dioxide has been the leading candidate for this approach. Released naturally by volcanic eruptions, sulphur dioxide is known to have a cooling effect on the Earth by reflecting sunlight. However, the downside of injecting it artificially is significant: it could lead to acid rain, damage the ozone layer, and disrupt weather patterns. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114118159" title="Delhi vs. air pollution: Minister pushes for ‘artificial rains’ in city ahead of Diwali as AQI remains worse than ever" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The new study aimed to find a better alternative by modelling the impact of seven different materials: calcite, diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, and sulphur dioxide. Their 3D <keyword id="19912529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-models" source="keywords">climate models</keyword> factored in light reflection, how long the particles would stay in the atmosphere, and whether they would clump together — something that could diminish their effectiveness. <h2>Why diamonds?</h2>The surprising result of the research was that diamond dust emerged as the most promising candidate. Tiny synthetic diamond particles proved to be highly effective at reflecting both sunlight and heat, while also remaining suspended in the atmosphere for a sufficient period. Unlike sulphur dioxide, diamonds are chemically inert, meaning they would not react with other atmospheric elements to cause harmful side effects like acid rain. The models suggested that injecting 5 million tons of synthetic diamond dust into the atmosphere annually could reduce global temperatures by 1.6°C over the course of 45 years. This kind of cooling would be enough to counteract some of the most severe effects of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and potentially buy time for other long-term solutions. <h2>The cost conundrum</h2>Despite the effectiveness of diamond dust in the simulations, the practical challenge of this approach lies in its cost. Producing and distributing the necessary amount of <keyword id="20001023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="synthetic-diamonds" source="keywords">synthetic diamonds</keyword> would come with an astronomical price tag — an estimated $200 trillion. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly double the size of the global economy in 2023. While the benefits of <keyword id="23626783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooling-the-planet" source="keywords">cooling the planet</keyword> are clear, such a high cost makes this solution far from feasible in the immediate future. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="97766424" title="A new climate solution involves shooting moon dust into space to create a &amp;#39;solar shield&amp;#39; around Earth, but scientists say it&amp;#39;s a risky last resort" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While the diamond dust concept is still in the research phase, the study underscores the urgency of exploring all possible solutions to cool the planet. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, unconventional ideas like this could play a role in the global effort to mitigate climate change. The findings of this research have been published in Geophysical Research Letters and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110575">here</a>.

Diamonds in the Sky: Scientists want to inject diamonds into our atmosphere to cool the planet!

When it comes to talking to children, many of us might instinctively simplify or even "dumb down" our language. But treating kids like they’re incapable of handling complexity can be more damaging than we realise. This practice, often labelled as "<keyword id="23912121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infantilisation" source="keywords">infantilisation</keyword>," stems from a form of age-based bias known as adultism, where society assumes that children lack the capability to engage meaningfully with complex issues. Yet, research increasingly suggests that children, if given the chance, can think critically, contribute insights, and show remarkable understanding — even on major topics like environmental ethics and social justice. <h2>Full-fledged citizens</h2>Infantilising children can have several negative consequences, including undermining their self-confidence, stifling independence, and causing emotional dependence. Natalie M. Fletcher, a philosophy professor, argues that infantilising children restricts their potential to become active contributors in society. "Children are full-fledged citizens and not just future members of society," she points out. She highlights that children often have valuable perspectives, particularly on issues like friendship, where their thoughts are sometimes more nuanced than adults’ because these relationships are central to their lives. In her work, Fletcher emphasises that denying children the chance to engage in thoughtful dialogue can lead to the exclusion of a valuable dimension of knowledge and understanding, limiting society as a whole. Encouraging philosophical dialogue in children can empower them to see themselves as agents of change rather than passive future citizens. <h2>Kids need complex conversations</h2>Infantilisation not only hinders mental and emotional development but also impacts children's ability to think independently. Experts warn that children constantly treated as incapable of handling complexity may struggle to develop essential skills like critical thinking and self-reliance. They might become overly dependent on authority figures, leading to low self-esteem and a reduced sense of autonomy as they mature. Encouraging children to express themselves and engage with challenging topics, on the other hand, supports their social and emotional growth, fostering resilience and independence. Additionally, infantilising children often stems from a desire to shield them from life’s complexities, particularly from “adult” topics like <keyword id="6361617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="Orion">climate change</keyword>. Fletcher argues, however, that children should be allowed to discuss issues like environmental justice, as they are the ones who will ultimately inherit the outcomes of today’s decisions. Children dealing with eco-anxiety, for example, benefit from having open dialogues about environmental concerns, which helps them feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. <h2>Raising independent thinkers, not passive followers</h2>In Fletcher’s educational charity, Brila, children as young as five engage in philosophical discussions that promote critical thinking and active listening. This approach has been shown to help children view themselves as proactive thinkers. While parents may feel compelled to protect their kids from "too much too soon," providing age-appropriate explanations can prevent feelings of helplessness, giving kids the tools they need to become thoughtful, capable adults. As adults, fostering independence and <keyword id="23912120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="critical-thinking-in-children" source="keywords">critical thinking in children</keyword> means embracing their ability to understand more than we may expect. Treating kids like the complex, capable individuals they are doesn't just support their growth — it strengthens society as a whole. Encouraging kids to share their thoughts and respecting their input can lead to a future generation that's better equipped to face and solve the challenges of tomorrow.

Talking to your child like they’re a kid? Here’s why you might be doing more harm than good

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fires at DHL warehouses this year may have been part of Russian sabotage operations, officials have said.</li><li>The Kremlin is suspected of ramping up hybrid attacks on Europe in recent months.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spy-chief-warns-suspected-sabotage-nearly-caused-plane-crash-2024-10">Suspected Russian sabotage activities</a> targeting the air freight industry have been on the rise this year, and the industry is preparing for further action.Brandon Fried, the executive director of the Airforwarders Association, which represents US air cargo companies, told Business Insider that the industry had been on high alert since 9/11."So regardless of who is perpetrating this, whether it's another country or whether it's a terrorist organization, our industry has been vigilant for quite some time," he said, referencing two fires at DHL warehouses earlier this year that have been linked to Russia."They want to cause fear and panic, but we, as a community, are not going to let them. One of our overriding messages is that we're vigilant," Fried said.Western officials have said the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spy-chief-warns-suspected-sabotage-nearly-caused-plane-crash-2024-10">fires, which took place at two DHL sites in the UK and Germany</a> in July, may have been part of Russian sabotage operations that ultimately aimed to target North America, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-plot-us-planes-incendiary-devices-de3b8c0a">The Wall Street Journal</a> reported earlier this week.One package caught fire before being loaded onto a plane at a DHL freight center in Leipzig, eastern Germany, while a similar incident took place at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham in the UK.Thomas Haldenwang, the president of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, said in October that it was a "lucky coincidence" that the package in Leipzig caught fire on the ground and not during the flight.Haldenwang did not explicitly blame Moscow, but the German news agency DPA reported that security services were working on the assumption that the attack was connected to Russia, per the <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class="" href="https://www.ft.com/content/b83353a7-bdf0-486b-8f12-d2834261d44f">Financial Times</a>.A police spokesperson told BI that counterterrorism officers were leading an investigation into the Birmingham incident and working to identify any links to similar incidents across the continent.The Wall Street Journal report said the fires were caused by electric massagers implanted with a magnesium-based flammable substance.The devices that ignited in the UK were traced to Lithuania, where officials say they appear to have been part of a wider Russian plot to get such devices on planes to North America, the Journal reported.Frank Umbach, a research director at the European Cluster for Climate, Energy, and Resource Security at the University of Bonn, said that Russian hybrid warfare had escalated from spying on critical infrastructure to active sabotage across the whole of Europe."Hybrid warfare has intensified here in Europe, particularly against Germany," Umbach said, adding that there was concern that German intelligence services had been "heavily penetrated" by Russian agents.Moscow has already been linked to a number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-sabotage-germany-factory-weapons-car-parts-ukraine-diehl-2024-6">sabotage incidents</a> in Europe this year, including arson attempts and a reported plan to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-planned-to-assassinate-german-arms-firm-ceo-report-2024-7">kill the CEO of the German arms firm Rheinmetall, </a>which has made munitions and military equipment for Ukraine.Russia is suspected of using <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigation/make-a-molotov-cocktail-how-europeans-are-recruited-through-telegram-to-commit-sabotage-arson-and-murder">social media platforms such as Telegram</a> to recruit proxies to carry out such activities.Speaking a few months after the DHL fires, the chief of the UK's MI6 intelligence service, Richard Moore, said he believed Russian intelligence services had "gone a bit feral."And experts think it's unlikely such incidents will stop any time soon.Shashank Joshi, a former senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute who is now the defense editor at The Economist, told BI that he believed the suspected Russian sabotage operations were part of a "pretty broad-brush campaign" that could see the Kremlin target any EU or NATO member."I don't think that anyone is particularly immune as such," Joshi said.A spokesperson for Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service, known as BAMAD, said that the German military and NATO forces in Germany "continue to be a priority target for Russian espionage activities."Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied Russia's involvement in sabotage operations in Europe.The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic intelligence services, and the BND declined to comment further.<div type="image" title="The RT logo at the company's headquarters in Moscow." height="683" width="1024" msid="115082510" hostid="261" sizebytes="75584"></div>Western officials say Moscow has also launched <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/russia-behind-cyber-attack-with-europe-wide-impact-hour-before-ukraine-invasion">cyberattacks</a> and sought to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.state.gov/disarming-disinformation/">spread disinformation</a> as part of its alleged sabotage operations.Russian state media sites like RT have already faced sanctions in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.state.gov/alerting-the-world-to-rts-global-covert-activities/">US</a> and the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/03/02/eu-imposes-sanctions-on-state-owned-outlets-rtrussia-today-and-sputnik-s-broadcasting-in-the-eu/">EU</a> over allegations of disinformation.Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia Program, said that Russian disinformation campaigns, espionage operations, and sabotage attempts were "intimately interlinked.""Objectives in the information domain can be served by kinetic actions and vice versa," Giles said. "The information component of warfare is seen as an integral part and interdependent with all of the other activities that Russia is undertaking.""That's something that's played out very clearly in Russia's war on Ukraine after the full-scale invasion," he added.

The air freight industry is on high alert after fires at DHL warehouses were linked to Russian sabotage operations

A recent <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/535/1/L18/7760380">study</a> has revealed an unexpected consequence of the global lockdowns imposed in 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19: a measurable cooling of the <keyword id="19899207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moon" source="keywords">Moon</keyword>'s surface. Indian researchers from the <keyword id="20178202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Physical-Research-Laboratory" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Physical Research Laboratory" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Physical Research Laboratory">Physical Research Laboratory</keyword> (PRL) analysed night-time temperatures at six different locations on the Moon's near side between 2017 and 2023. Using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, they discovered a consistent temperature drop of 8-10 Kelvin during the strictest lockdown period of April-May 2020 compared to previous years. For instance, the coldest temperature was recorded in 2020, with a value of 96.2 K at one location. In contrast, post-lockdown years like 2021 and 2022 saw a gradual warming trend as human activity resumed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111772552" title="Newly discovered Moon caves could shelter astronauts as they set up lunar bases!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The researchers posit that this unusual cooling can be attributed to a reduction in Earth's outgoing radiation during the lockdowns. As human activity slowed down, <keyword id="20107362" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gas-emissions" source="keywords">greenhouse gas emissions</keyword> and aerosols decreased significantly. This meant less heat was trapped and re-emitted by Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a measurable decrease in the radiation reaching the Moon. Further, the Moon's surface acts as an amplifier of Earth's radiation signature. And this unique global event provided a rare opportunity to observe how changes in human activity on Earth can affect our nearest celestial neighbour. While the study presents a compelling correlation, the authors acknowledge that more data is needed to definitively establish the link between Earth's radiation changes and <keyword id="23366659" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lunar-surface-temperatures" source="keywords">lunar surface temperatures</keyword>. They suggest that future Moon-based observatories could play a crucial role in studying Earth's climate and environmental shifts. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112222991" title="Scientists want to send our endangered species to the Moon to “save” them" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This unexpected finding highlights the interconnectedness of our solar system and the far-reaching impacts of human activities on our planet. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, understanding these subtle interactions between Earth and the Moon can provide valuable insights into our planet's complex systems. (With inputs from TOI)

The Covid lockdowns did WHAT to the Moon?!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mosquito-borne illnesses are rising in the US, including triple E, West Nile, and Oropouche.</li><li>Climate change and international travel are spreading these diseases into new places.</li></ul>Mosquito season is in full swing, and the pesky insects are carrying diseases into unexpected places.Certain communities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont are on high alert for a rare virus called eastern equine encephalitis, or triple E. <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=dea03647ae2140cd8df96e92dd3fe93a&amp;_e=crF0LkK69Ri3sZPnBPrFkMH7-CcnpvKTnVs4HS8Z3zp4Kgp4T4BfNtNKeEZ-9oBAn3muClf5YmUFRogx6YOH4CaSRSJign6WnrLVXFyLjp2QTtm5A0x6HaKS7BRR-CJirekZiFfWDmG5rlOGSqB4hrqei2ZEwZj7nyxJFhLAjEk7hhNbMXcQQb12ksDevKWeT5800svwxucwB7S6bpfgmVYpSc8V2FrRZvGN4jc9I-N2jqhRLNV7GTuowo4TvoPvNoYCuozd3eLO94q2migG6LHFbbPlDgohvcDugJnNPxR_tOJRKKGFH_UQ7sBk5CxPhiqHUojryuvMJblbGqq_gGzzyD_ZU_rj82H26z8kH2T477UTjMwv5kZh2xZiNmpuj6k2ZYYtI1-hj0ds9zxk_XEjvDMmN7hWKwr2yV0WuMih9pasRvve7bu5px29Jalg">Health officials have reported</a> at least six cases, including one death, and are encouraging residents to stay inside from dusk until dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Some towns are spraying pesticides to reduce the risks of exposure.The outbreak is small but serious because about 30% of people who contract severe triple E die, and many survivors develop neurological problems, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=dea03647ae2140cd8df96e92dd3fe93a&amp;_e=crF0LkK69Ri3sZPnBPrFkMH7-CcnpvKTnVs4HS8Z3zp4Kgp4T4BfNtNKeEZ-9oBA1avhSmdvA6wmzeopbQ1wpFUPgkEMuNAL8PA8yBq32E2r63d7YY2aZIVe6XHBITX6bdcIpw96CCSCAuqEEOWNyWkoWP_1Dq60vKCqIrYU38DoVDtaf31q4eWD2F1qpU-UuLn5__85cWSVXxyfDUBFNUovathLmAwc5Q6sYlhVXIH5XiRW4FLpTJmJpbykRvGTpSooeYimWFC_XNXzgyPAS4l8xtX1K2S-4Fe7UjtCuJAStR72v5GhRGoLBm7P5v9FWFAvWOlfsELoy8y7UswnyuPY7OqeMs_CWUCCR9_-VmTZzaweGqUfP62QApZxlBfNxhDGx11e_2rsJPfVrWinj9QC0IzP3erfusJppFYMqx0%3D">according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. There's no vaccine or cure.Over the past two decades there have been sporadic outbreaks in the Northeast — and in 2019, there were <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=dea03647ae2140cd8df96e92dd3fe93a&amp;_e=crF0LkK69Ri3sZPnBPrFkMH7-CcnpvKTnVs4HS8Z3zp4Kgp4T4BfNtNKeEZ-9oBAn3muClf5YmUFRogx6YOH4Cq6nCGdzks_AvXHGsYJvgn2TOPoCTg7pbv_RsW3okXcdUbj64k_ZiM2N51DdTNaR7WLJ_mHHh1mmyyt6N8X_uqihW2UQF6BgDdXx-p8oBRsCdkBlLbd14TquL4N4crLLp5_24V1uXERcAKlvpl0hOU4WuE3m4HAUd14Tz5QTKS9qQ8oGxaz3mfTVIoPE5cTDZ91BlA47vkUYRXh2kPSzrUMdxwYIIRn_rrQoqThHuNAGc3hz266Ura5ZJ1UNgVvgl6az2B-YoZbcpQ-YcGxJnzLROj9vDHOdRRTCwFMl-5-CTuLNU9XZHuVXVxO9ndpPuuEEU_qSXyivCRBzkUhKuz9LxBVJ7gHD4isxcE19eCr">a record 38 cases</a> in the US. Researchers are still trying to understand why, and there are many environmental factors, including the bird populations the mosquito typically picks up the virus from. Shannon LaDeau, a senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, said the climate crisis is certainly playing a role. As spring and fall temperatures warm, mosquitoes can emerge earlier and survive later into the year. They also can squeeze in more reproductive cycles."Everything about mosquito development speeds up with temperature," LaDeau said. "How fast they go from egg to adult shortens when it's warmer. Viruses replicate in the mosquito faster when it's warmer. So you get more mosquitoes faster, and then their chances of interacting with a human is higher."Precipitation patterns also matter, LaDeau said. In the Northeast, a warm spring was followed by a lot of rain in early summer, which is conducive to larger mosquito populations by August.The changes aren't playing out just in the Northeast. Health officials have described an uptick in other mosquito-borne illnesses in the US and globally because of climate change and international travel and trade.Dr. Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=dea03647ae2140cd8df96e92dd3fe93a&amp;_e=crF0LkK69Ri3sZPnBPrFkJj4ugMBPbs84W_5Vp3yYcYEhO_N1Nhd2bWPLs91nL_VMOv_99OmuKJr9_wP_fXhfMnI7eap2CepdB_UkMlGn4UdTjJ750CkuUtE9rCzfYpiqcnwgzInXciBCSWGLtwD4NwkSjDbhdBoxtoufvFwi40-YIaGHOQKxP4I0GB1veCHzV6pkzrnctvdlmVH3RMlY-EVy7y1bNBWNJnYKBSfqFqxn2hQU88I8f6Y4qndb14NqAJoGNPUPUymAuJOmbu3vsIasA8FVRU1Ec75UhEAsDZyP53VHEuGquuDiUq1FroJElp-rpEHC1zM4seJuhIELxsb0zWlGeO9TQjHSp7hK5NsnWpiMfOzQH6OoxbXETQloNOY2fsfWTpUqnHnaDaVRw%3D%3D">told "PBS NewsHour"</a> that he was concerned about a rising number of vector-borne illnesses — those spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas — across the Western Hemisphere, including triple E, West Nile, and dengue.The Oropouche virus, which normally circulates in parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, was reported in the US and Europe for the first time this year. Yellow fever is expanding into the fringes of the Amazon in Brazil."We're seeing a general surge in vector-borne diseases across the hemisphere," Hotez said. "Brazil and parts of the Caribbean are ground zero, but it's starting to filter in particularly in Texas and the Gulf Coast. This could be a new normal for us during this time of climate change together with urbanization and other factors."

Climate crisis is helping spread deadly mosquito viruses in the US

<ul class="summary-list"><li>UAE's state-owned oil company brokered deals to boost fossil fuels at home and overseas in 2023.</li><li>The deals included supplying gas to China and expanding into Egypt and Azerbaijan.</li></ul>Last year, while the United Arab Emirates oversaw a historic agreement to fight the climate crisis, it was brokering deals for oil and gas that could bring the country tens of billions of dollars and boost fossil-fuel production globally.An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/fossil-gas/i-hope-the-younger-generations-can-forgive-us-state-oil-company-pushed-100-billion-of-deals-in-uaes-year-as-cop28-host/">analysis by the climate watchdog Global Witness</a> found that the UAE's state-owned oil company, known as ADNOC, closed more than a dozen deals to expand its oil and gas footprint at home and overseas.Among the transactions were ADNOC's first contract to supply gas to China; a joint venture with the oil giant BP in Egypt; and a stake in Azerbaijan's gas field in the Caspian Sea. ADNOC also bought a Dutch fertilizer company and acquired a stake in an Austrian plastics maker, both of which rely on fossil fuels for their products.In November, during the UN climate summit in Dubai, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cop28-host-uae-broker-secret-oil-deals-climate-summit-bbc-2023-11">the BBC and the Center for Climate Reporting</a> reported that UAE planning documents showed that oil, gas, petrochemical, and renewable-energy projects were among the talking points for meetings with countries in the lead-up to the climate summit, COP28. The summit was led by ADNOC's chief executive, Sultan Al Jaber.Global Witness found that ADNOC either pursued or closed fossil-fuel deals with firms in 11 of the 16 countries targeted in the UAE planning documents. These included deals to sell liquefied natural gas to Chinese-owned firms and to expand oil and gas businesses in Egypt and Azerbaijan — two countries that open up the UAE's access to Europe as it seeks non-Russian gas. Global Witness estimated that the overall value of the deals it analyzed was nearly $100 billion, though some haven't been finalized."Make no mistake, COP28 was hijacked by the interests of the fossil fuel industry, who weren't content simply to block or stall genuine climate policy but used the opportunity to pursue more climate-wrecking oil and gas deals," Patrick Galey, a senior investigator at Global Witness, said in a statement.ADNOC did not return a request for comment from Business Insider, but Global Witness presented its findings to the oil giant. A spokesperson told Global Witness that the allegation that ADNOC used COP28 to pursue business deals was "completely baseless and false."The spokesperson argued that COP28 "delivered the biggest climate breakthroughs" since the Paris Agreement in 2015, when world leaders agreed to try to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.<h2 id="ab608433-ab72-4ca8-86e5-40fa507c2070">A historic deal in Dubai</h2>A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/">panel of hundreds of climate scientists</a> convened by the UN has said that temperature threshold is likely to be crossed within the next decade, pushing the planet toward a catastrophe, unless countries rapidly stop burning fossil fuels. They've said emissions from existing oil, gas, and coal infrastructure are on track to exceed the Paris Agreement goal.So far, the planet has warmed by about 1.1 degrees Celsius, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-climate-change-crisis-extreme-weather-is-costing-you-2023-9">deadly heat waves, wildfires, flooding</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/global-food-crisis-higher-prices-shortages-civil-unrest-2022-8">drought-caused famine</a> are on the rise.At COP28 in Dubai, countries for the first time called for a transition away from fossil fuels this decade and for the tripling of renewable energy by 2030. In a side agreement brokered by the UAE, oil and gas companies accounting for 40% of global production <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cop28-un-climate-conference-oil-and-gas-methane-emissions-satellites-2023-12">promised to nearly eliminate their methane emissions</a> by 2030.But the Dubai deal left the door open to more fossil-fuel production by promoting technology such as carbon capture, which is still in the early stages of development. The deal also said "transitional fuels" could play a role in reducing emissions — a nod to gas, which is less polluting than coal but a major emitter of methane.<a target="_blank" href="https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/uae/">Climate scientists have found</a> that while the UAE is investing in renewable energy, carbon capture, and other low-carbon technologies, that activity is dwarfed by the country's fossil-fuel expansion. The UAE, the seventh-largest oil producer, is investing $150 billion to boost its own oil and gas production through 2027. Global Witness' investigation also sheds light on how the country is securing new markets overseas.Galey said he was concerned that another petrostate, Azerbaijan, which is hosting this year's UN climate summit, could follow the UAE's lead. COP29 is set to be led by Azerbaijan's ecology minister, Mukhtar Babayev, who spent nearly two decades in senior positions at the country's state-owned energy company until leaving in 2018.Azerbaijan is an emerging economy that relies on oil and gas for nearly half of its GDP and more than 92% of its export revenue.COP29 organizers didn't return a request for comment from BI. They told Global Witness that they "reject in the strongest terms the suggestion that Azerbaijan has a hidden agenda" in hosting the climate summit.

The United Arab Emirates pursued nearly $100 billion worth of oil and gas deals the same year it led the global climate summit, analysis finds 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Looking after our musculoskeletal health can help us stay strong and active as we age.</li><li>Dr. Vonda Wright describes ages 35 to 45 as "the critical decade" for developing healthy habits.</li></ul>A doctor who specializes in active aging shared three things she does to stay healthy and mobile as she grows older.Dr. Vonda Wright, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon based in Florida, whose roles include helping Olympians avoid injury, told Business Insider that maintaining powerful muscles and strong bones is key to leading a long, healthy life.Research suggests that 50% of people who break a hip never fully regain their mobility, and 30% over 65 die within a year, Wright said.That's why Wright sees healthy musculoskeletal aging as "a lifelong pursuit." Developing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/longevity-lifestyle-changes-live-longer-healthy-habits-genes-study-2024-5">healthy habits</a> between the ages of 35 and 45, what she calls "the critical decade," can help you maintain your mobility and strength as you age, she said."It's critical that we start paying attention now," Wright, the author of "Fitness After 40," added.Wright shared three tips that she sticks to herself for staying active well into her golden years.<h2 id="577bd9cc-7616-464c-803a-bc8a1f43499f">Learn how to lift weights</h2>Wright recommends <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/fitness/how-to-build-muscle">strength training to build as much muscle</a> as possible, particularly in the critical decade.As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, which is crucial for everyday movements like standing up from a chair. The process starts in our 30s and 40s and picks up between the ages of 65 and 80."Let's build as much muscle as we can because from that, we will then live longer and be stronger and build better bones," she said. "If we need to, let's hire somebody. Let's save up a little money and learn how to lift."A growing body of research has linked <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weight-lifting-and-cardio-may-help-you-live-longer-study-2022-9">lifting weights to living longer</a>. In a 2022 study published in the journal JAMA, researchers looked at data from the National Health Interview Survey that detailed how much and what type of exercise more than 115,000 people over the age of 65 did for around eight years. They found that those who did strength training at least twice a week were less likely to die of any cause than those who did less.<h2 id="0c46e49f-3572-4d56-be5c-c5427b17befa">Eat a high-protein diet and plenty of vitamin D</h2><div type="image" title="A poke bowl." height="4000" width="6000" msid="115173931" hostid="261" sizebytes="634046"></div>In order to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/muscle-building-potential-gains-progress-monthly-trainer-2022-4">build muscle</a>, you also have to make sure you eat enough protein, Wright said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/easy-calculate-how-much-protein-coach-olympians-2024-9">Mike Molloy</a>, a nutrition coach to elite athletes, previously told BI that he advises people to eat about 0.75 grams of protein per pound of total body mass, or 1.6 grams per kilogram.Protein is a major component of bone, so it's important for building strong bones, too, Wright said.Vitamin D, which helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, is crucial for maintaining bone density, she said, so getting enough is vital. Most people get enough vitamin D from sunlight, but those living in colder climates are unlikely to get enough during winter and fall.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-have-to-eat-to-get-enough-vitamin-d-2019-2">Vitamin D is found</a> in a small number of foods, such as oily fish, red meat, and egg yolks.<h2 id="945b42b7-9818-42d7-bd3d-a395ef4b83a3">Take exercise micro-breaks from your desk</h2>Most of us spend our entire careers sitting at a desk 10 hours a day, which leads to muscle loss and an "incredibly weak" musculoskeletal system, Wright said. "It's one of the hallmarks of aging," she said.It's also linked to early death. A 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.031156">study</a> published in the Journal of the American Heart Association using data from almost 6,000 mobile women aged 63 to 99 found that those who sat for 11.6 hours or more a day were 57% more likely to die from any cause.To combat this, Wright recommends <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/short-workout-improve-fitness-exercise-snacks-2019-1">taking short breaks</a> regularly throughout the day to do some physical activity."Doing ten wall squats or ten chair squats or ten prisoner squats is really amazing for maintaining musculoskeletal health," she said.She recommended setting a reminder to go off every 45 minutes.

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