Live data from Hacker News

Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

nature.com

1–10 of 147 posts

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#4
So, is there any convincing reason to think that any emissions targets will be met? Does anyone buy the line in the article about India? Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China.

Isn't our money better spent preparing for the inevitable effects of climate change?

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#5
post #4

So, is there any convincing reason to think that any emissions targets will be met? Does anyone buy the line in the article about India? Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China. Isn't our money better spent preparing for the inevitable effects of climate change?

There is no reason to think they will be met, on current trends -- global output is still increasing, and new "green" energy seems to just come on top of fossil fuel energy, not replacing it.

But it makes no sense to spend money on the effects while the rate at which they're getting worse is still increasing. Like starting to repaint the house while the fire is still blazing.

We just need to do a lot more, keeping fossil fuel in the ground forever will always be more effective than any measures to live with the consequences.

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#6
post #4

So, is there any convincing reason to think that any emissions targets will be met? Does anyone buy the line in the article about India? Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China. Isn't our money better spent preparing for the inevitable effects of climate change?

even if we miss a target, more emissions beyond that target still make things much worse. it's not like we can just declare bankruptcy or something.

ultimately we have to reduce emissions as much as possible while preparing for their impact -- and I am not an expert, but I suspect reducing emissions is cheaper in the long run than dealing with the effects.

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#7
post #4

So, is there any convincing reason to think that any emissions targets will be met? Does anyone buy the line in the article about India? Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China. Isn't our money better spent preparing for the inevitable effects of climate change?

What's wrong with the line about India? It's absolutely correct - per capita emissions from India are very small.

> Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China.

Looking at a country's total emissions makes no sense because the population needs to be taken into account. India will eventually have the largest total emissions, which is fine because per capita is really low.

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#8
>A set of troubling charts shows how little progress nations have made toward limiting greenhouse-gas emissions.

When countries have made real progress "toward limiting greenhouse-gas emission" one would not need charts to see it: it would be immediately evident in everyday lifestyles, consumer habits, and energy use...

Re: Charts show how little progress has been made in limiting greenhouse emissions

#9
post #4

So, is there any convincing reason to think that any emissions targets will be met? Does anyone buy the line in the article about India? Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China. Isn't our money better spent preparing for the inevitable effects of climate change?

What's wrong with the line about India? It's absolutely correct - per capita emissions from India are very small. > Surely they will become an emitter at least as significant as China. Looking at a country's total emissions makes no sense because the population needs to be taken into account. India will eventually have the largest total emissions, which is fine because per capita is really low.

>India will eventually have the largest total emissions, which is fine because per capita is really low.

Earth doesn't care about "emission per capita" though, it just cares about the total sum of emissions...

So "India eventually [having] the largest total emissions" means a huge extra tonnage of emissions will be added to the already troubling amounts...

So, the per capita number is mainly relevant in regards to fairness...

Post reply on HN