The Paris Climate Agreement has the primary goal of limiting global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius and preferably 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Meeting this goal involves reaching global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the second half of the century. Doing so requires the substantial adoption of renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.
The case for switching away from fossil fuels has never been stronger as the effects of the warming climate have become increasingly evident, the economics of renewable energy have become more and more favorable, and popular support for the changeover has continued to grow. Despite all this, the world’s largest fossil fuel producers have expanded their planned output for the future, thereby pushing the world towards an ever-warmer climate.
According to the latest Production Gap Report produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute, governments now expect to produce more than twice as much coal, oil, and gas in 2030 as would be consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The increase is driven by a slower projected phaseout of coal and a higher outlook for gas production by some of the top producers, including China and the United States.
The United States is the most dramatic case of a country recommitting to fossil fuels. This year, Congress has enacted billions of dollars in new subsidies to oil and gas companies and the Trump administration has forced retiring coal plants to continue operating, expanded mining and drilling access on public lands, and delayed deadlines for drillers to comply with limits on methane pollution. Meanwhile, it has set new roadblocks for building wind and solar energy projects.
**********
Web Links
Top Fossil Fuel Producing Nations Plan to Blow Past Climate Targets
Photo, posted May 15, 2020, courtesy of James Watt via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio