~7% drop in fossil fuel carbon emissions in 2020, but...

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clv101
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~7% drop in fossil fuel carbon emissions in 2020, but...

Post by clv101 »

Due to the covid response we saw an unprecedented ~7% drop in fossil fuel carbon emissions in 2020, but thanks to the slight El Niño at the start of the year the weakening of the land carbon sink offset most of the decline. 2020's CO2 rise was similar to 2019's. And as we enter 2021 emissions are rising again.

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It's an interesting data point, as we now know what it takes, what it looks like on the ground, to cut fossil fuel use by just 7%. To keep the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target in reach, we need to cut emissions by 7-8% per year, each year for the decade 2020-2030.

What this year should show us is that the concept of pro-active policies to achieve 1.5°C is a nonsense. Many (most?) policy makers and scientists know this but fewer admit it publicly. The whole 1.5° (and the 2° situation is similar) charade is a cowardly distraction mechanism to avoid honestly facing up to what we've done, what we can still do and what lies ahead.
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BritDownUnder
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Re: ~7% drop in fossil fuel carbon emissions in 2020, but...

Post by BritDownUnder »

Very interesting. Also I am impressed by how you get the degree symbol ° into the post.
I copied it from your post but I am sure there is a shortcut.

But seriously it does appear that we are in a spot of bother if the cuts in emissions are not maintained year on year.
G'Day cobber!
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