THE MUSTS

COP 28: Navigating the Climate Landscape

 

COP, or the Conference of the Parties, is the UN's annual climate conference. This year, COP28, happened in November 30 in Dubai, and introduced a groundbreaking element: the "global stocktake". This comprehensive assessment of progress since the Paris Agreement aims to quantify our achievements and challenges, providing an actual numerical snapshot of our climate journey.

• Recent months have witnessed unprecedented strides in global climate action, punctuated by a trio of transformative laws in the United States and the EU's commitment to a 55% emissions reduction by 2030 - an actual numerical commitment to tangible change. Yet, amidst these triumphs, we confront a stark reality: global emissions hit an all-time high in 2021.
  
  Urgency and obligation underscore our collective responsibility. The urgent need for action is quantifiable – and this is why this COP in particular was so important.
  
  The Oil & Gas industry: The United Arab Emirates, a major oil producer, hosted the COP28, adding a layer of complexity to climate discussions. The oil and gas industry, responsible for three-quarters of global emissions in the energy sector, were faced with a moment of truth. Numbers paint a clear picture: to be on track for net-zero emissions by 2050, the industry must cut emissions from production and processing by 60% by 2030.

• Investment in a Sustainable Future: As we scrutinize the industry's role, data suggests a misalignment between promises and actions. While some progress is visible, the numbers call for a more substantial commitment – only 1% of the industry's investment currently flows into clean energy.

More about it:

• To get the gist. This amazing article from Mckinsey gives an overview of the main terms you need to know to stay up to date with the world’s sustaintability talk.

• The biggest in the world. An iceberg 3 times the size of New York City — is "on the move" for the first time in 37 years, which could cause a big problem for wildlife in Antarctica.

• Everyone onboard. Tuvalu, a small - tiny - Oceania country is known worldwide as the nation that is going to submerge completely because of rising sea levels due to climate change. However, they recently announced their intends to continuing existing even after it disappears completely from the map - only in the Metaverse. 

Animal Farm by George Orwell: Ok, I know this one is a classic that a lot of you must have read already. However, in my attempt to read more this year I decided to give a chance to Orwell, giving him the pleasure of joining the select group of authors that are part of my arsenal. (My first book totally in Italian 😃 ). 

What surprised me the most is how fresh it seems. Even using the Russian (or Bolshevik) Revolution of 1917 as inspiration, the allegorical narrative really transcends time, serving as a mirror of societal dynamics. 

Timeless Relevance: "Animal Farm" remains as relevant today as it was when first published in 1945. It is not a book about communism, socialism or anything as such. Its exploration of propaganda, manipulation, and the cyclical nature of power makes it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of political systems and human behavior. Rating (9/10)

• What’s my name? You may recognize this aesthetic and know this is the work of the street artist Banksy, but now we also know his first name.

• Rizz. The word of the year is out and the viral term is an abbreviation for charisma, or "the ability of someone to attract another person through style or charm".

• Put the “i” in investing. Whatever your investing vibe might be, check out our 5-question financial personality quiz to get matched to a financial persona and receive episode recs of Fresh Invest.

• Choices. Model voted Italy's most handsome man announces he will become a priest.

• Lucid Dreams. Start up wants you to control your dreams with headband device that could allow people to even work while sleeping.

• Love is in the air. Here’s how internet newest matchmakers help you find love

   

You might not know this, but I've been writing my own songs since I was 12. We had a little piano at home since my dad used to play it, and one day, I began trying to learn it myself. My favorite memories in my Brazilian home are entwined with that piano. Writing songs has always been therapeutic for me, and even though my piano skills remained rather basic, music and writing were integral parts of my life — until I arrived in Italy.

Here, my new life brought fresh challenges and scarce free time. Honestly, I neither had the money nor the space for a keyboard in any of the places I lived. It was a different phase. I was here to study. Not much to blame; it was just a phase that passed, and I grew up. That's what people do, right? Wrong.

At my peak in 2018, I wrote 108 songs. Last year, a mere 17. I missed it. Profoundly. When I went back to Brazil, I'd rush to the keyboard to decipher the chords for those significant 17 songs. Creativity sparks creativity, and without an instrument, I just didn't write anymore. It wasn’t a phase that passed. It was me neglecting a huge part of myself. So, this year, I committed to setting aside some money each month, and last week, I finally acquired my first keyboard!!! It's still in its box because now I need to save money for the stand, but soon enough, I promise to share some photos of this beauty 😋 

To conclude: Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that life is too demanding or too chaotic to make time for ourselves. Yet, let me emphasize - your primary mission here on Earth is to revel the unique experience of being alive as yourself. And embracing your authentic self involves creating moments dedicated to your passions. Period.

Purchasing this keyboard feels like reclaiming a part of me that has been dormant for far too long, almost like an emotional reawakening. So let’s all resist the urge to outgrow our interests - those very elements that shape the core of our being — and stop relegating them to the sidelines.

Ahhhhh, and before I sign off: Merry Christmas!!!!

Micael.

Subscribe to Tanamesa for your regular fix of content, entertainment, and my life. Our mission is bring everything you need to know about the most important things happening worldwide, with exclusive recommendations curated by the editor-in-chief.

Take it easy: It lands in your inbox only every second Thursday. And just like me, it is not only free but also kind of addictive.