The funny thing about tipping points, I always say, is that nothing seems to happen until you reach one, and then everything seems to happen all at once. This is an illusion, of course. The world has been working on Global Warming for decades, including technologists, policy makers, the public, and of course paid denialists. The world does not realize that we have reached the critical tipping point, but 2024 is on track for that to happen, and therefore for everything to seem to happen at once: renewables, storage, EVs, trees, agriculture, heat pumps, manufacturing...
Analysis: Global CO2 emissions could peak as soon as 2023, IEA data reveals
The outlook reiterates the IEA’s ideas for five “pillars” to keep the path to 1.5C open at COP28, including targets to triple renewable capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use and industry could peak as soon as this year, according to Carbon Brief analysis of figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
COP28 will be a big topic for next Tuesday.
CO2 leaps. Will COP28 finally get it together or will it just be one more round of Carry On Pumping?, by Meteor Blades
Weekly spotlight on climate & eco-diaries (11/12/23) EV misinfo; dark forces behind food pyramid, by Meteor Blades
Energy (and Other) Events Monthly - December 2023, by gmoke
Heat pump water heaters are a win for the climate and your wallet, from From the GNR newsroom, its the Monday Good News Roundup
Water heaters toil away, often unseen in basements and garages, to keep our showers hot, clothes cleansed and pets bathed — and in the U.S., almost all of these machines are voracious energy hogs.
But there’s a technology that can heat water more efficiently, cheaply and without burning fossil fuels: electric heat-pump water heaters. These appliances are two to four times as efficient as the gas and electric-resistance models that are ubiquitous in the U.S. While the heat-pump variety makes up less than 2 percent of the country’s water-heater sales, the New Buildings Institute reports that the tech is ascendant: In 2022, sales grew by 26 percent. Gas-powered water-heater sales, by contrast, fell by 17 percent.
SEIA: Solar State By State
Explore the latest solar market insights and policy updates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. All market data is current through Q2 2023.
Total solar capacity installed nationwide. 155.2 GW
Americans working in solar. 263,883
Solar energy systems installed nationwide. 4,437,750
Electric Cars
Electric vehicles and hybrids grow to a record-high 18% of U.S. light-duty vehicle sales
That’s 9% pure electric, 18% electrics + hybrids.
Car and Driver: Future Electric Vehicles: The EVs You'll Soon Be Able to Buy
These EVs aren't for sale yet but are in various stages from concept to production—and perhaps a few may never see the light of day.
Everything from now into 2028, from Acura to Volvo. I put all of the pictures into my EV porn board on Pinterest.
Used Electrics
Can you beat this listing from Carfax?
Used 2012 Nissan Leaf SL
$3,500 | 87,000 mi
Range: 73 mi
I also see 2018 models under $10,000.
Hall of Shame
Carbon Brief: In-depth Q&A: What do Rishi Sunak’s U-turns mean for UK climate policy?
In a shock announcement, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak revealed earlier this week plans to abandon or delay core parts of his government’s climate strategy.
Under Sunak’s “new approach”, a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars has been delayed by five years, the 2035 phaseout of gas boiler sales has been loosened and landlords will not be obliged to insulate their rental properties to higher standards.
The U-turns have been widely condemned by hundreds of companies, climate leaders and politicians from across the political spectrum.
Although the prime minister has rejected accusations of “watering down” climate policies, his actions will undoubtedly throw the UK even further off course from its legally binding emissions targets.
Ron Johnson calls climate change policy 'a fantasy', by Laura Clawson