“Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it, and you’ll start believing it.”
Jesse Owens
Hello friends! I’m a fan of starting on a positive note, so if you expected an article about this week of crazy storms across the US, and its connection to climate change, you are mistaken. Instead, I want to focus my inaugural 2024 article on something positive. Climate metrics are starting to roll in from 2023, and we are kicking off the year with good news on emissions.
Good news on emissions
It was no surprise that CO2 emissions in the US fell during the pandemic. But in 2023, they dropped again, and the best part is this was paired with economic growth. This debunks the myth that moving to renewable energy will be hurt the economy. It appears we are able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
The total heat-trapping emissions from the US decreased by 1.9%. This doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a trend in the right direction, especially considering GDP increased by 2.4% during the same period. The biggest improvements were in the power sector (8% decline) and residential and commercial buildings (4% decline). The credit goes mostly to weaning ourselves off coal.
Momentum for clean energy is building. Last year, 1.4 million electric vehicles were sold in the US. Also, renewable energy (solar and wind) increased by about 50%. These and other changes will lead to further reductions in the need to burn fossil fuels.
Does this mean we can relax?
Nope. In fact, we need to lace up our running shoes. While this represents progress, we have a lot of work to do to reach net-zero and avoid the worst outcomes. The graphic below is a helpful visual of why speed is important. CO2 hangs around in the atmosphere for a looooong time, so the faster we decarbonize, the less the planet will warm. And the less the planet warms, the more livable it will be here in the coming years.
What can we do?
- Try adding one new climate-friendluy habit for the new year (e.g. – waste less food, eat one more meatless meal per week, insulate your home, swap old lightbulbs for LED).
- If you’re in the market for a car, it’s a great time to go electric. There are some tax changes this year, and qualifying credits are now applied at the point of sale.
- Continue to talk about climate change.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.