U.S. greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2020

Started by SGOS, January 12, 2021, 09:20:52 AM

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SGOS

By more than 10%.  Much of it due to Covid.  This might be helpful for those that aren't able to understand that the effect of CO2 can actually be explained, measured,  and calculated by physics, chemistry, and math.  You may argue that scientists are wrong, but apparently the physics, chemistry, and math are not.  And these are the same fundamentals scientists were using 50 years ago, when we were first warned.  It's not like some mad scientist suddenly leaped up and screamed, "The Earth is going to get warm," and the whole room panicked and ran out of the room to storm the Capitol.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/climate/2020-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20210112&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=129705843&segment_id=49036&user_id=33a2a6e6868fd65c48b0f219d16ed7c2

Hydra009

To be expected since America is still very much in the grip of this virus and therefore Americans (the sane ones anyway) are cancelling or reducing travel which naturally reduces carbon emissions.  Europe experienced a similar drop (12% reduction in the US, 11% reduction in the EU, 7% reduction globally) though it should be noted that China almost entirely cancelled out its emission reductions during lockdown with emission surges post-lockdown.  I expect similar reversals as other countries recover from the virus.

So while this sort of news is helpful in pointing out that these emissions are without a doubt caused by people - it should not be interpreted as anything other than a very fleeting environmental boon.

SGOS

Quote from: Hydra009 on January 12, 2021, 03:45:32 PM
So while this sort of news is helpful in pointing out that these emissions are without a doubt caused by people - it should not be interpreted as anything other than a very fleeting environmental boon.
You're right.  My first reaction was, "See it can be done," but that does not translate into it will be done, not by a long shot.  In addition, 10% is not enough.  If it was an additional 10% every year, it could be enough, but once the economy bounces back, that idea is folly.  This 10% was caused by a change in people's behaviors, and one that people resent.