Energy
International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, despite significant growth in renewable additions. The IEA’s Renewables 2024 report indicates that while global capacity is expected to grow by 2.7 times, it still falls short of the COP28 climate summit’s goal. Solar PV and wind are projected to account for 95% of renewable growth, but governments need to enhance efforts to integrate these sources into power systems. The IEA emphasizes the need for massive investments in power grids and energy storage to meet the ambitious targets.
Economy
Financial analyst John Rubino predicts a potential financial crisis, which he believes could be exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. He introduces the concept of a “shrinking trust horizon,” where public trust in institutions erodes due to historical governmental deception. Rubino warns that an Israeli attack on Iran could trigger a market crash, with oil prices potentially soaring and causing widespread economic turmoil. He suggests that political figures like Trump and Biden may further exacerbate these tensions.
Homelessness in the U.S. has reached a record high under the Biden-Harris administration, with 653,104 Americans reported homeless in 2023. This marks the sixth consecutive year of rising homelessness, with a significant increase of 12% from the previous year. The expiration of Covid-era protection programs and the cost-of-living crisis have contributed to this surge. While the sheltered homeless population rose by nearly 14%, the overall number of homeless individuals surpassed Great Recession levels for the first time. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s report highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness.
US Politics
In New York, Proposal One has sparked debate as it seeks to amend the state constitution with anti-discrimination language. Lawyer Bobbie Anne Cox warns that the proposal could potentially allow children to undergo medical procedures without parental consent and blur distinctions between citizens and asylum seekers regarding benefits and voting rights. Cox suggests that the proposal is a strategic move by politicians to maintain control, using emotionally charged language to influence public perception. She uses the metaphor of a politician selling rats as food to illustrate her view that legislation can be manipulated for personal gain, emphasizing the need for public awareness of political strategies.
Sources
New York Proposal One: A Trojan Horse for Hidden Agendas?
Proposal One is a Trojan Horse: Conversation with Bobbie Anne Cox
Source | Submitted by 0007
Financial Analyst John Rubino Warns of Impending Chaos Amid Global Tensions and Economic Instability
“Chaos is coming.” Rubino explains, “This does not get fixed easily, and to the extent this gets fixed at all, this gets fixed via chaos.”
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
U.S. Homelessness Hits Record High in 2023 Amid Expired Covid Protections and Rising Costs
America’s Homeless Population Reaches Record High Under Biden-Harris Admin
Source | Submitted by bcoop
The Renewable Race: World Falls Short of 2030 Tripling Goal, Says IEA
“This is not quite sufficient to reach the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity worldwide established by nearly 200 countries at the COP28 climate summit,” the IEA said.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
