Climate threatGlobal challenges

Climate threatGlobal challenges
Danish climate tax against animals – first in the world

Denmark will be the first country in the world to introduce a carbon dioxide tax on livestock. The decision is in line with the country's desire to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, reports AFP.

Methane emissions caused by livestock will be taxed at 300 Danish kroner (about 459 Swedish kronor) per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2030. The amount will then increase to 750 Danish kroner (about 1,148 Swedish kronor) from 2035.

- Although the carbon dioxide tax should have been both higher and implemented earlier, it is an important milestone, says Christian Fromberg, from Greenpeace Nordic, to AFP.

However, several farmers are critical of the proposal, which is expected to be approved by the Danish parliament after the summer.

"As a farmer, I feel uncomfortable because we are participating in an unsafe experiment that could threaten the security of the food supply," writes Peter Kaier, chairman of the Danish Association for Sustainable Agriculture.

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The heat wave in the USA
Extreme temperatures in Las Vegas – over 46 degrees

Like several countries in Europe, the United States is currently in a heat wave that has led to several warnings for high temperatures around the country. The city of Las Vegas has reached extremely hot temperatures in recent days, AP writes. For four consecutive days, temperatures in the city have been above 46.1 degrees, with a peak on Sunday of 48.8 degrees.

- This is the most extreme heat wave in the history of Las Vegas since 1937, says meteorologist John Adair at the American weather authority National Weather Service (NWS), to AP.

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Several insects are approved as food in Singapore

16 species of insects are approved as food in Singapore, The Guardian reports.

Singapore's food authority, the Singapore Food Agency, has approved consumption for, among other things, crickets, caterpillars, moth larvae and a species of honey bee. Food scientist Skye Blackburn advocates insect eating, and is positive about the news.

- It is really fantastic to see that they now have such a long list of species that are approved for food, she says to the British newspaper.

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They tried to smuggle 100 live snakes into China

A man has been caught trying to smuggle over 100 live snakes into China, according to the country's customs authority, according to AFP.

The man had traveled from Hong Kong to the Chinese border city of Shenzhen. During a check, the Chinese customs discovered that he had put several bags sealed with tape in his trousers.

"Each bag was found to contain live snakes of all possible shapes, sizes and colors," writes China's customs service. 

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South Korea hit by torrential rain - four dead

Four people have died in South Korea as a result of record-breaking downpours, according to the country's Ministry of the Interior, reports AFP.

- Three regions have received rain at the highest level, the probability is estimated to be about every 200 years, an official at the South Korea Meteorological Institute told AFP.

The country was hit by record amounts of rain and floods last year as well.