Climate Change Getting Worse by the Minute
The world is not on track to reduce, or even restrain global warming. David Biello reports
SUBSCRIBE TO 60-Second Earth
What goes up and doesn't come down? Greenhouse gas emissions, apparently. The world set another record in 2012, spewing some 31.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons and other greenhouse gases into the air.
The 2012 contribution keeps us on pace for not one more degree Celsius of warming, or even two, as is the avowed goal of the international climate negotiations that saw another inconclusive round conclude this past week. We are on track for 3 degrees C of warming or more, this century.
That calculation comes from the International Energy Agency, a kind of cartel for oil-consuming rich nations. But don't despair. The U.S. in recent years has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions back to levels last seen in the 1990s. That's thanks mostly to burning less coal.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
And there are some quick and easy steps that could reduce emissions globally: more energy efficiency, less leaking methane, an end to fossil fuel subsidies and a ban on inefficient coal-fired power plants. If we did all of those, we might get on a new track that leads to a world that’s less hot and bothered.
—David Biello
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber
