Research published on Wednesday has concluded that carbon dioxide emissions need to fall by the equivalent of a global lockdown around every two years until 2030 in order for the world to keep within safe limits of global warming.
Many will not be surprised to learn that the lockdowns around the world have led to a fall in emissions of about 7% in 2020, or around 2.6bn tonnes of CO2. Researchers have concluded that between 1bn and 2bn tonnes are needed every year of the next decade in order to meet the Paris agreements maximum increases of 2C of pre-industrial levels.
Corinne Le Quéré is the lead author of this study and has said: “We need a cut in emissions of about the size of the fall [from the lockdowns] every two years, but by completely different methods”. She went on to say: “We have failed to understand in the past that we can’t have tackling climate change as a side issue. It can’t be about one law or policy; it has to be put at the heart of all policy. Every strategy and every plan from every government must be consistent with tackling climate change”.
Julia Hartley-Brewer has reacted to these developments by tweeting: “Wow, these guys are really helping to dispel those Covid conspiracy theories, aren’t they?”.
However, Glen Peters from of the Cicero centre for climate research in Norway has said: “Emissions were lower in 2020 as fossil fuel infrastructure was used less, not because infrastructure was closed down,” he said. “When fossil fuel infrastructure is put into use again, there is a risk of a big rebound in emissions in 2021, as was seen in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2009”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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