[May 6-12'24] Past peak pollution?

Blasting past 1.5C, probably reached peak pollution, solar + batteries cheaper than coal in China and how fossils warp the information ecosystem.

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Weekly Climate 🎉

References: [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5].

Just a brief note that the newsletter will hibernate for the next two weeks due to mainly me being out of town. Paid subscriptions will be paused of course.

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‼️News you can’t miss

Here’s one important scary/bad (🙀), good (😻), interesting (😼) and fossil (💩) news item.

🙀 Blasting by 1.5C

😻 Probably past peak pollution

😼 Solar + batteries cheaper than coal in China

💩 How the fossil fuel industry warps the information ecosystem

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👩‍⚕️ Status: Climate & Science

Let’s look at how we’re doing this week!

[#wildfire] — Ancient charcoal samples are providing insights into past wildfires and their impact on Earth's climate. These remnants, including a 430-million-year-old piece of charcoal discovered in Wales, help scientists understand how fires have shaped and been shaped by environmental change over time. By studying these ancient fires, researchers can gain a clearer understanding of the global phenomenon of fire and make more accurate projections of future climate. The fossil record also reveals how ecosystems recover after such perturbations, offering valuable lessons for managing wildfires today and mitigating the effects of climate change.

[#2.5C] — According to a survey of leading climate scientists, global temperatures are expected to rise well beyond the internationally agreed target of 1.5C, with catastrophic consequences for humanity and the planet. The survey reveals that almost 80% of the respondents anticipate at least 2.5C of global heating, while almost half expect at least 3C. The scientists envision a future with famines, conflicts, and mass migration driven by extreme weather events. The failure of governments to take action despite clear scientific evidence has left many experts feeling hopeless and scared.

[#CO2levels] — Experts have discovered a record-breaking increase in the concentration of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere. The global average concentration in March this year was 4.7 parts per million higher than the same period last year, marking the largest ever recorded leap over a 12-month period. This increase is attributed to the periodic El Niño climate event, as well as ongoing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The rapid rise in CO2 levels poses a significant threat to the climate, leading to extreme weather events and other disastrous consequences.

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📰 The 7 Grand Challenges

⚡️Decarbonize Electricity

Clean electricity is the one do-or-die challenge we must solve.

[#renewables] — Wind and solar are the fastest-growing sources of electricity in history, outpacing all other sources, according to a new analysis by thinktank Ember. The growth of wind and solar is now exceeding rising demand, leading to a peak in fossil fuel electricity generation and emissions. While renewables met a record 30% of global electricity demand in 2023, the report highlights the need for even faster growth to meet the global goal of tripling renewables by 2030 and significantly reducing power sector emissions.

[#🇨🇳chinacoal] — A guest post on Carbon Brief discusses how solar plus battery storage could be a cheaper and more cost-effective option than new coal power plants for meeting China's rising electricity demand. The article highlights the changing landscape of China's electricity sector, the decreasing costs of renewables and battery storage, and the potential of enabling battery storage participation in electricity markets. The study suggests that a combination of solar and storage is the most economic way to meet peak demand growth, while also aligning with China's climate goals and reducing carbon emissions.