🛏️ 2x College Accommodation Costs. 120Mt Methane Emissions. $24K Health Insurance.

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Since the signing of the 2016 Paris climate agreement, 57 companies involved in oil, gas, coal, and cement production have been responsible for 80% of the world's fossil CO2 emissions. MethaneSAT, an Earth observation satellite that will monitor and study global methane emissions, was recently launched into space. The satellite aims to protect the Earth's climate by accelerating the reduction of potent greenhouse pollutants.

Today's Topics

🛏️ College Accommodation. US College accommodation costs have doubled since 2003
🏭 Emissions. 120M tons of methane emitted in 2023
💰 Health Insurance. Record rise in US family health insurance costs

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🛏️ US College Accommodation Costs Have Doubled Since 2003

College accommodation has become increasingly expensive, with annual room and board costs in the US nearly doubling from 2003 to 2018. The rate of increase outstripped annual inflation rates during the period. In 2018, inflation stood at 1.9% whilst accommodation costs rose by 3.2%. Tuition and accommodation expenses make up the bulk of university expenses, but students also need to account for textbooks, transportation, and meals. A global survey conducted by IDP reveals that the observed increases in these costs pose a major issue for international students hoping to study abroad in regions including the US, significantly affecting global student flows.

🏭 120M tons of Methane Emitted in 2023

Methane emissions account for about 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite a decrease in methane emissions in 2020, emissions have been on the rise since and reached 120 million tons in 2023. Energy-related CO2 emissions have also seen increases and reached 37.2 billion tons in 2023. Despite efforts outlined in the Paris Agreement, methane and energy-related CO2 emissions continue to rise, pushing global temperatures beyond the critical 1.5°C threshold. However, recent initiatives like the MethaneSat satellite launch, which will monitor emissions from the oil and gas industry, indicate a growing commitment towards reducing methane emissions. The US Department of Energy’s loan to build a methane monitoring network is also a crucial step towards combating global warming.

💰 Record Rise in US Family Health Insurance Costs

Families are grappling with increased health insurance costs in the US, with premiums rising by 6.7% in 2023, the largest increase observed in over a decade. Health insurance costs reached almost $24,000 for family coverage, and workers' contributions within this have increased since 2000, reaching 27% of total coverage in 2023. With the average monthly salary of a US worker standing just below $5K, their contributions now represent almost 12% of their earnings. Amidst the rising cost of living, 64% of US workers have reported feeling stressed about their finances.

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