After over a decade of small but steady declines in CO2 emissions, powered by freight and coal, we are back to our pre-pandemic levels. Sure, we all like to see economic growth, especially after two tragic years, with an economy kept afloat by government stimulus - but not to the detriment of the environment.
US greenhouse gas emissions grew 6.2 percent in 2021 as its economy largely recovered from pandemic lockdowns, as estimated by a report by independent research firm, the Rhodium Group. Compare that with emissions falling nearly 1 percent every year between 2005 and 2019, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Why? There's a few reasons, the main one being, a 17 percent jump in coal-fired power generation, the first annual inrease since 2014. Demand for coal rose party from a surge in natural gas prices (stemming from domestic and geopolitical reasons), making coal relatively more attractive. Second was a rapid rise in road transportation as people gradually got out of their homes to travel and demand for goods rose.
Climeworks - World’s First Commercial CO2 Capture Plant
Source: ClimateCentral.org
What we can do immediately is invest in carbon capture and renewable energy. In the meantime, check out these charts which will explain the above visually HERE.