Global CO2 emissions in 2019 – Analysis - IEA

Did we hit peak carbon dioxide?

Global energy-related CO2 emissions flattened in 2019 at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt), following two years of increases. This resulted mainly from a sharp decline in CO2 emissions from the power sector in advanced economies, thanks to the expanding role of renewable sources (mainly wind and solar PV), fuel switching from coal to natural gas, and higher nuclear power output.

Maybe not, but the electricity sector is making great strides. Transportation and land use are the next two big ticket items. ... See more

Global CO2 emissions in 2019 - Analysis and findings. An article by the International Energy Agency.

How Soon Will Electric Vehicles Kill The Gasoline Car?

When I talk about exponential growth in clean transportation—or say anything optimistic about climate change—the pessimists baulk. C’mon, they say, the overwhelming majority of our electricity comes from fossil fuels. Demand for oil is still growing. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a miniscule percentage of cars sold. What good can a few wealthy Tesla owners possibly do for the environment?

To pessimists, the EV revolution seems underwhelming. That’s because they underestimate the power of exponential growth.

Optimists don’t demand instant results from innovation. Rather, they recognize how sudden technological transformation can be. Societies won’t register the full potential of EVs until moments before they sweep gasoline cars into the dustbin of history. ... See more

To many, the EV revolution seems underwhelming. That’s because they underestimate the power of exponential growth. Societies won’t register the full potential of EVs until moments before they sweep gasoline cars into the dustbin of history. ... See more

How Portland is building equity into its climate planning

Portland is talking about an approach to fight climate change in this article and it is also front and center in the Austin update process for our community climate plan: making equity a central premise and lens to climate action by focusing on people of color and low-income residents.

"We’re looking to develop climate actions that simultaneously aim for a universal goal (e.g., increasing transit ridership), while also addressing disparities in how frontline communities can access that goal.

By factoring in context, changing the status quo, creating more space and time, and asking different questions, we’re hopeful that we’ll redefine what successful climate action looks like. We recognize that we need to do things differently, and we’re beginning that journey now.

Actions that significantly reduce carbon emissions are not enough. We need to create just and equitable solutions and offer tangible benefits to the frontline communities most impacted by climate change. And, as a local government, we have the flexibility to try new approaches to the intertwined challenges of climate change and social injustice." ... See more

It’s the city’s people of color and low-income residents who are the ones on the frontlines of climate change. The city’s climate action manager explains how the city is working to make climate plans that protect them. ... See more

Utilities sign 5.3 GW wind PPAs in 2019, hitting new record: AWEA

2019 was a banner year for wind power in the US!

Utility and corporate wind deals drove 8.7 GW of wind installations in 2019, according to the wind association.

Austin Energy is proposing to run our coal and gas power plants less using them less when they are barely in the money, and taking into account whether the use makes the overal grid dirtier (don't run) or cleaner (do run). This shaves of almost 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions at very little cost. See here the difference between market dispatch and the new scenarios where greenhouse gas emissions are taken into account. ... See more

You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local

Food is responsible for 25% of our climate emissions. Best to eat plants, seasonal (so not from greenhouses) and not flown in. This also means hat local is less important than the food itself in most cases.

Worst offenders: industries that changed land use from forest to land for feed and animals the ruminate: cows and sheep and their products.

The article is a nice read! ... See more

‘Eat local’ is a common recommendation to reduce the carbon footprint of your diet. But transport tends to account for a small share of greenhouse gas emissions. How does the impact of what you eat compare to where it’s come from? ... See more

U.S. refiners, chemical makers pare insurance coverage as accidents boost costs

Insuring your petrochemical plant is getting more expensive due to more and more accidents in the industry. The industry response: ditch insurance. They could have chosen to focus on more safety and less risk. But no, short term profits and fingers crossed.....Get ready for more bankruptcies! ... See more

U.S. refineries and petrochemical plants are cutting back on insurance because s...

AE, but not drivers, charging toward renewable goals - Austin Monitor

We are on our path to a NET-ZERO greenhouse gas community wide city. How are we doing?

The City of Austin has made considerable efforts to reduce the community’s carbon emissions. Austin Energy, a City-owned electric utility, is on track to meet or even exceed its goal of generating 65% renewable energy by 2027. Austin Energy is making progress to stop energy generation from its power plants that emit large amounts of carbon. The City is also working to help the community reduce transportation emissions. However, it is unclear if the City will reduce transportation emissions enough to meet its goal for a carbon-neutral community by 2050. The City can do more to promote electric vehicles to advance the community’s progress toward carbon neutrality. ... See more

A report from the Office of the City Auditor states that Austin Energy is on track to reduce carbon emissions from utility operations so the city can meet its goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050. But auditors also found that… ... See more

Almonds are out. Dairy is a disaster. So what milk should we drink?

All milk alternatives are far better for the planet than dairy. A 2018 study by researchers at the University of Oxford showed that producing a glass of dairy milk results in almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions than any plant-based milk and it consumes nine times more land than any of the milk alternatives.

Plant milks can, nevertheless, have a dark side, as when any crop is produced in mass quantities. It’s important to consider not just whether they are grown using organic methods. Other factors include how the farming of the crop affects people and native habitats in developing countries, the carbon footprint and water use. And while each product has its trade-offs, some plant milks are more sustainable than others.

Which one is best? Meet the winner: the unassuming oat.

Retail sales of oat milk in the US have soared from $4.4m in 2017 to $29m in 2019, surpassing almond milk as the fastest-growing dairy alternative. But unlike almonds, there are already plenty of oats to go around. “Right now, 50 to 90% of global oat production goes into animal feed,” says Specht, “so there’s a huge existing acreage that we can safely steal share from without moving the needle at all on total production.”

Oats are grown in cooler climates such as the northern US and Canada, and are therefore not associated with deforestation in developing countries. The only drawback with this trendy and guilt-free option is that most oats come from mass-produced, monoculture operations where they are sprayed with the Roundup pesticide right before harvest. A study by the Environmental Working Group found glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and a possible carcinogen, in all the foods it tested containing conventionally grown oats and even in one-third of products made with organic oats. However, the popular Oatly brand oat milk company maintains its oats are certified glyphosate free. ... See more

A glass of dairy milk produces almost three times more greenhouse gas than any plant-based milk. But vegan options have drawbacks of their own

Lekkages in VS van sterk broeikasgas methaan vanuit de ruimte opgespoord

Dutch satellite maps worldwide methane emission: a powerful tool to monitor emission sources and emission control programs. 40% of US man-made emissions of methane come from oil and gas exploration. Special case study for the Permian basin if you are interested. ... See more

Het Nederlandse satelliet-instrument Tropomi meet de luchtkwaliteit en de uitstoot van methaan. In nieuw onderzoek zijn lekkages gevonden en gemonitord in de VS.