Saturday, July 30, 2022

COTW: Why Its Hotter than Ever


The chart shows that the world's most developed nations (rich) emit the most carbon dioxide per person.  Obviously China, India and the US are the big three.  China and India are heavily dependent on coal burning to produce energy. Over its history, the United States has emitted more than any other country because its industrial development began earlier. The US is attempting to transition away from coal, if the politics do not get in the way.  Right now just 12 percent of the world's population living in rich countries (US, Japan, Canada, Western Europe) are responsible for 50% of the planet warming CO₂ produced over the past 170 years. A decade ago, rich countries pledged $100 billion per year to aid poor countries to develop infrastructure to mitigate the effects of catastrophic climate change.  They are falling tens of  billions short per year.  Are you reading this, Joe Manchin?  

In fact the biggest polluters are producing even more greenhouse gases as this chart shows:


At the current rates of carbon pollution, the Paris Accord limit of 1.5℃ of warming over pre-industrial levels by 2030.  The combined profits in the second quarter for Exxon, Shell, Chevron, BP and Total were $50 billion, a new record.