Katherine Hayhoe is a well known climate scientist who is focussed on the opportunities that we as humans have to change our climate for the betterment of all humankind. Her newsletter always includes a "Good News" segment and it is always worth hearing some good news on this subject.
Her May 29, 2024 news letter is curated by a guest writer this month. Dr. Joellen Russell is on of the founders of Science Moms a group of mothers who are also climate scientists. The below extended quote is from that newsletter that came out today.
"Despite what you might think from listening to political advertising and more than a few media reports, US carbon emissions dropped last year at the same time that the economy grew.
Yes, that’s right! Last year, the US economy grew by 2.5 percent while the total carbon emissions by decreased by 2-3 percent, according to the US Energy Information Administration. US emissions are now down 20 percent from the all-time high in 2007, according to the EIA.
That’s not the only good news. Americans, on their own, are consistently choosing to save money by reducing their own energy costs, whether it is through more efficient lighting, electric cars, better windows, etc. Although per-capita emissions are still at the high end of the global scale, the US has gone from emitting around 20 percent of the global total of CO2 annually in 2000 to less than 12 percent of the global total in 2023."
It really appears that the changes both small and large are starting to make a measurable impact on the forces that are driving climate change. This is "Good News"! So share it with a friend or neighbor if you get a chance. Thanks for reading!
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