Good news for the climate this week

I'm happy to share some good news for the climate with you! Here are a few positive developments from this week:

  1. Renewable energy hits record high: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy accounted for 26% of global electricity generation in 2020, a record high. This is a significant increase from 2010, when renewables made up just 20% of global electricity generation.
  2. Carbon emissions decline in the US: The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the US decreased by 2.8% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This is the largest annual decline since 2012.
  3. Global coal consumption drops: The IEA also reported that global coal consumption declined by 3.5% in 2020, marking the largest annual decline on record. This is a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
  4. New climate-friendly technologies emerge: Researchers have developed a new type of solar panel that can convert 26.7% of sunlight into electricity, a record high. Additionally, scientists have created a new material that can absorb and store carbon dioxide more efficiently than existing technologies.
  5. Climate-resilient infrastructure investments increase: Governments and companies are investing more in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as sea walls, levees, and green roofs. This is crucial for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and severe weather events.
  6. Global cooperation on climate action: The European Union, China, and the United States have all announced new climate targets and initiatives in recent weeks. This increased global cooperation is essential for addressing the scale and urgency of the climate crisis.

These are just a few examples of the good news for the climate from this week. While there is still much work to be done, it's encouraging to see progress being made in reducing emissions, developing new technologies, and building climate-resilient infrastructure.