THE BRIEF [May 6-12'24]
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].
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‼️News you can’t miss
Here’s one important scary/bad (🙀), good (😻), interesting (😼) and fossil (💩) news item.
😻 Probably past peak pollution
😼 Solar + batteries cheaper than coal in China
💩 How the fossil fuel industry warps the information ecosystem
This week’s highlights
[#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.
[#peakpollution] — The world is likely past peak pollution, specifically in terms of harmful local air pollutants. Emissions of these pollutants have peaked, except for ammonia. While emissions have decreased in richer countries like the US and Europe, they are still rising in low and lower-middle income countries. The goal now is for countries to move through the pollution curve faster and with lower levels of pollution. It is important to ensure that access to energy and development in poorer countries is achieved while limiting premature deaths from air pollution.
[#EVoil] — Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are reaching record highs, but global oil consumption is still climbing. Despite the rapid adoption of EVs, oil demand remains strong, highlighting the challenge of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Government subsidies and mandates have helped drive EV sales, with nearly one in five new cars sold globally being electric. However, experts argue that current policies are not enough to significantly impact oil demand. While the International Energy Agency's modeling suggests a modest decline in oil consumption by 2050, many experts believe the world is changing faster than predicted. The adoption of EVs could accelerate, leading to a more significant reduction in oil demand. However, challenges remain, including the reliance on oil in sectors such as petrochemicals, air travel, and shipping. Oil companies are starting to invest in EV-related initiatives, but the transition away from oil is complex and will require additional policies and technological innovation.
That’s it for this week folks!
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See you all next week 👋