We cannot use offsets to excuse further fossil fuel burning. The aim has to be zero carbon emissions. Even if we try hard, we'll miss by a bit, and by then there might be techniques to take in carbon to reach net zero. But decarbonisation must be as complete as possible
Here are a couple of schematic graphs I posted on the birdsite last year after hearing some politicians' comments on the then newly released #IPCC Working Group III report.
They highlight that the path to #netzero envisaged by many politicians and business leaders is quite different from what the science community mean. The consequences are not the same.
Seems appropriate to raise this again today.
Scotland has launched a trial to encourage greater use of the rail network and get people out of the cars.
For 6 months there will be no peak-rate fares, only the cheaper off-peak fares.
'The ambitious project, which is a first of its kind in the UK rail industry, will support the Scottish Government’s ambition to achieve net zero, providing more people with the opportunity to use trains as their primary form of transport'
Anyone who boasts about their “net-zero by 2050” plan, but can’t say what they are doing to make steep emissions cuts this year is selling you a steaming pile of bullshit #ClimateChange#EmissionsCuts#NetZero
If you're wondering what the impact of the ever growing market share of #Chinese built #electriccars means for the UK's automotive industry, here's the BBC Faisal Islam on how it might play out;
headline; the UK-based e-vehicle sector may have already missed the boat.
As he concludes: 'The more immediate question for Britain is whether we go for cheaper Chinese imports to aid mass adoption of a key net zero technology, or prioritise domestic production'!
The absolute fucking STATE of the media in this country.
Sunak's speech (rest of the world): "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
Guardian: "Al Gore leads international chorus of disapproval for Sunak’s climate U-turn"
Meanwhile:
Fail: "I'll spare families ruinous costs of net zero, vows Rishi"
Express: Honest Rishi - nation won't and can't pay net zero bill
Telegraph: "Sunak spares public net zero pain" #UKPolitics#Sunak#NetZero #FuckTheTories#ClimateCatastrophe#GTTO
The IPCC thinks that to really address the #climatecrisis we (the world) needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% to achieve a target of #netzero.
But their latest estimate is that in the next seven years we are likely to see a 9% rise(!!) on 2010 levels.
While this is a slight improvement on last year's projections the gap between what we seem to be achieving & what is needed, is evidence this generation of political leaders is not taking #climatechange seriously!
Eigg isn't connected to the UK national grid. Instead we generate 90% to 95% of our electricity from wind, sun, & water (hydro). Community-owned Eigg Electric was switched on in 2008. Islanders are trained and employed to manage it. Electricity costs 28p per unit/kWh. Before 2008 each property had its own diesel generator. Now we have 24kW of wind, 110kW of hydro, 170kW of solar PV, storage batteries, and a back up generator. Next challenge is #netzero#renewables#eigghttp://isleofeigg.org/eigg-electric/
What does the USA have in common with Saudi Arabia & the UAE?
All three, according to the #UnitedNations are panning a ramping up of #fossilfuels production that will make hitting #climate target impossible.
While making pious claims around #netzero & measure to address the #climatecrisis these 'petrostates' #energy policies make a lie of their declarations.
No wonder poor(er) countries are not supportive of investing scarce capital in the #greetransition!
Another week, another rat leaving a sinking ship... making a complaint about #NortSeaOil & the rowing back on #netzero commitments, Chris Skidmore quits & forces another (unwelcome for #RishiSunak) #byelection.
However, as his constituency disappears next election, anyone winning will have a pretty short Parliamentary career... while Skidmore no doubt burnishes his credentials as a Right-Green, which he may be able to turn into a nice little earner (I'm sure).
You'd be working with the Centre for Collective Intelligence Design at Nesta, and helping to roll out some very interesting civic tech projects. Any questions, I'd be glad to talk your ear off about it...
Even though recent figures have shown that new filed are not contributing to #energy security as claimed (around 80% of the oil is exported), we'll still hear that tired lie trotted out.
Rather the #Tories are in the pockets of the fossil fuel lobby & aren't even trying to hide in the twilight of this administration.
We have been warned, time and time again. But ‘Net Zero' is still a political football, mitigation is unfunded. Fossil fuel companies are subsidised and given preferential treatment (electricity prices being set by the cost of gas in the UK for example).