![]() ![]() This was soon followed by research by my own team, which used Google and Apple mobility data to reflect changes in ten different pollutants, while a third study again tracked CO₂ emissions using data on fossil fuel combustion and cement production. In other words, if we knew what the emissions were from various economic sectors or countries pre-pandemic, and we knew by how much activity had fallen, we could assume that their emissions had fallen by the same amount.īy May 2020, a landmark study combined government lockdown policies and activity data from around the world to predict a 7% fall in CO₂ emissions by the end of the year, a figure later confirmed by the Global Carbon Project. We used information on lockdown as a mirror for global emissions. So climate scientists set about looking for other data that might indicate how CO₂ was changing. When many lockdowns were beginning in March 2020, the next comprehensive Global Carbon Budget setting out the year’s emissions trends was not due until the end of the year. The pandemic made us think on our feet about how to get around some of the difficulties of monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, and CO₂ in particular, in real time. Here are three things we have learned: 1. There have been many monumental changes since then, but for those of us who work as climate scientists this period has also brought some entirely new and sometimes unexpected insights. This began a sudden and unprecedented drop in human activity, as much of the world went into lockdown and factories stopped operating, cars kept their engines off and planes were grounded. Not using it is even better.The planet had already warmed by around 1.2℃ since pre-industrial times when the World Health Organization officially declared a pandemic on March 11 2020. Manchin dooms domestic agendaĮnergy efficiency: Green energy is great for fighting climate change. Want to know more? Here's what you missedĬapitol Hill setback: Biden promises 'strong executive action' on climate change after Sen. “It’s clearer than ever that we will not meet our country’s targets at the speed we must without the full power of Congressional action,” Zichal said in a statement. ![]() " Today, Biden said that climate change is an emergency, but we are sick of watching this administration fail to treat it as such," said Sunrise Movement executive director Varshini Prakash.Īmerican Clean Power Association CEO Heather Zichal applauded Biden’s actions to boost the offshore wind industry but said Biden is limited in what he can do through executive authority. "Our economy is at risk," Biden said Wednesday. Watch Video: This is why Biden announced new executive actions on climate change What they are saying Biden wants the department to move ahead on wind energy development off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Wind energy: The Interior Department is proposing areas in the Gulf of Mexico for wind turbines.Those most at risk from the growing consequences of climate change are marginalized communities of Black, Latino, Indigenous and Asian Americans, who are disproportionately located near sources of pollution or lack the means to protect themselves and access health care, according to a study in 2021. Energy bills: Biden is broadening the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program to give states more options for how to spend the federal funds to help keep low-income people cool.The program prioritizes serving historically disadvantaged communities. Fighting the heat: Biden’s plan included $2.3 billion for a program that helps communities deal with heat waves, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events.Announcement stop: Biden announced his executive actions during a visit to a former coal-fired power plant in Somerset, Massachusetts, that is becoming a manufacturing hub for cables to support the state's offshore wind industry."This is an emergency," Biden said, hinting at a national emergency declaration he might make to unlock federal resources. "I will look at it that way."īiden said he's "running the traps on the totality of the authority I have” and will decide soon whether to declare a climate emergency. Biden needs the backing of all 50 Democratic senators to use a legislative maneuver that prevents Republicans from blocking the package. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., rejected Democrats’ plan to combat climate change and raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans and corporations through a pending domestic policy package. WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden announced executive actions Wednesday to address climate change after his legislative agenda faced a setback in Congress.īiden said additional steps will follow soon, though lawmakers are unlikely to move on the issue. Watch Video: Biden says climate change is an 'existential threat to our nation' ![]()
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