news
From Vox
Summary
– Earth is experiencing the hottest year on record, leading to increased destruction from natural disasters due to climate change.
– Despite this, there is hope as more countries are investing in clean technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles, showing potential for global emissions to start declining.
– The Climate Analytics report suggests that global emissions may peak in the near future, indicating progress in efforts to combat climate change.
– To meet climate goals, drastic reductions in carbon emissions are necessary, and the world must shift to clean energy sources quickly.
– Global greenhouse gas emissions are on track to decline, but urgent action is needed to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Quotes:
- Earth is coming out of the hottest year on record, amplifying the destruction from hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, and drought. The oceans remain alarmingly warm, triggering the fourth global coral bleaching event in history. Concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere have reached levels not seen on this planet for millions of years, while humanity’s demand for the fossil fuels that produce this pollution is the highest it has ever been.
- Climate Analytics, a think tank, published a report last November that raised the intriguing possibility that the worst of our impact on the climate might be behind us.
- “We find there is a 70% chance that emissions start falling in 2024 if current clean technology growth trends continue and some progress is made to cut non-CO2 emissions,” authors wrote. “This would make 2023 the year of peak emissions.”
- However, four months into 2024, it seems unlikely that the world has reached the top of the mountain just yet. Fossil fuel demand is still poised to rise further in part because of more economic growth in developing countries. Technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies are raising overall energy demand as well.
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