Which sounds impressive, and it is, but I think there's slightly less there than meets the eye.
Their GHG emissions appear to have peaked in the mid-1970s, when it became apparent that coal just wasn't going to work any more. They had been burning vast amounts of coal. So while 1872 may sound like some kind of rural, idyllic paradise, the country was choked with smog, literally killing people.
Still, progress, and trying to do more. Many countries reduced GHG emissions by switching from coal to natural gas, but they now need to switch from natural gas to something carbon-neutral.
You'd think people would be happier that we've solved the technical problem of climate change. Even in quite northern places like the UK.
If anything the anger seems to grow as the need for subsidies and the uncertainty around tech success reduces.
Their article on the recent guidance from the Climate Change Committee on the 7th Carbon budget is also good:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-reducing-emissions-87-by-204...
Title is wonky, the UK phased out coal in 2024, GHG emissions are at 1872 levels.
Which sounds impressive, and it is, but I think there's slightly less there than meets the eye.
Their GHG emissions appear to have peaked in the mid-1970s, when it became apparent that coal just wasn't going to work any more. They had been burning vast amounts of coal. So while 1872 may sound like some kind of rural, idyllic paradise, the country was choked with smog, literally killing people.
Still, progress, and trying to do more. Many countries reduced GHG emissions by switching from coal to natural gas, but they now need to switch from natural gas to something carbon-neutral.