The countries that accumulate the most wealth are also the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. Tackling overconsumption would make it possible to reach the desired goal of zero emissions sooner.
Life relies on a fine balance between energy in and energy out. But heating the world 1.2°C means we’ve trapped an extraordinary amount of extra energy in the Earth system.
There’s more to sustainability than net zero. Using green ammonia for fuel and as a way to transport hydrogen could add to nitrogen pollution that already exceeds safe planetary boundaries.
Shipping companies have billions invested in fleets that were built to last decades. Now, the US is calling for zero emissions by 2050, and the EU is raising the cost of fossil fuel use.
If electric cars are useful for the energy transition, they’re not without flaws and drawbacks and should not make us forget the need to reduce car use.
As the world waits with bated breath for the release of the latest UN climate report, let’s take a fresh look at the IPCC. What can we expect from the Synthesis Report on Monday evening?
Kevin Trenberth, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealand is considering a plan to tax methane from cows. But while cows and cars both emit greenhouse gases, they don’t have the same impact over time.
The ocean twilight zone could store vast amounts of carbon captured from the atmosphere, but first we need a 4D monitoring system to ensure ramping up carbon storage does no harm.