After weeks of concern over the wildfires in California, firefighters have reported major progress in containing the blaze this week. Here are the top climate change stories of this week.
After weeks of concern over the wildfires in California, firefighters have reported major progress in containing the blaze this week, with a spokesperson saying that conditions at the Mosquito Fire about 177 kilometres northeast of San Francisco were “looking a whole heck of a lot better.”
Elsewhere in Pakistan, flood waters have finally started receding in the worst-hit Sindh province, but authorities have cautioned that it will take months to fully drain the water and warned that water-borne diseases are spiking. In a surprise move, outdoor gear company Patagonia’
Patagonia founder gives away company to help fight climate crisis
Yvon Chouinard, the billionaire founder of the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, said on Wednesday he is giving away the company to a trust that will use its profit to fight the clima
Instead of selling the company or taking it public, Chouinard, who became famous for alpine climbs in Yosemite National Park and has a net worth of $1.2 billion, is transferring his family’s ownership of the company to a trust and a non-profit organisation.
While rich individuals often make financial contributions to causes, the New York Times said the structure of the Patagonia founder’s action meant he and his family would get no financial benefit. Not only will the Chouinard family not get any tax breaks for its decision to give away its wealth, but it will also instead have to pay nearly $17.5 million in taxes as the amount it transferred to the Trust will be considered as a ‘gift’ under American law.
Also read | Why a billionaire owner gave away his $3-billion fortune to fight climate change
Children, women suffer from water-borne diseases as Pakistan floods recede
Children and women are becoming more vulnerable as tens of thousands of people suffer from infectious and water-borne diseases in flood-hit Pakistan, government data showed and UNICEF said on Friday, as the total death toll from the inundation surpassed 1,500.