The war in Iran has put 2026 on track for a dip in annual fossil-fuel carbon emissions

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/54245880

The U.S. war with Iran has raised fossil fuel prices so much that the resulting drop in oil demand has put the world on track to see a rare dip in carbon emissions from these sources in 2026.

Between 2019 and 2025, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels grew by about 0.8 percent annually, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. But 2026 is set to buck that trend: high oil prices, as well as the continued rise of green technology—solar power, wind and electric cars—will cause a “short-term” 0.4 percent drop, according to the study.

“The high petrol prices following the war in Iran are reducing oil use and keeping emissions low,” says the study’s lead author Corinne Le Quéré, a professor of climate change science at the University of East Anglia in England. “But that’s not the whole story: The expansion of renewable energy has progressed a lot in recent years, led by China. And [along with electric vehicles], this is offsetting two thirds of the growing demand for energy.”

With all sources of carbon considered, including deforestation, total global CO2 emissions are set to continue increasing.

  • Bluedragon012@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    9 hours ago

    Gonna be real, you’d have practically give electric cars away if we want people to not use gas. My disabled ass cannot afford nor have the energy and motivation to go buy a used one,let alone a new one. it is out of reach.

    And even then gas huffers will literally kill if you try to force them to use electric. They need to hear the gas exploding to offset thier small parts, and how else are you going to impress your redneck buddies down by the creek.

    And don’t even get me started on the fucks who actually nut when a engine roars, they will do… Terrible things to keep thier fetish alive.

    • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      7 hours ago

      Not sure where the sarcasm ends here so

      • prices are getting closer every year, and that’s what the incentives were meant to counter. If not for protectionism, US would have comparably priced EVs like a lot of the rest of the world does
      • operating cost of EVs is much lower, especially now
      • as charging infrastructure is built out, more and more people will realize a new cheaper and easier option. No need to force anyone
      • I still have my car in “Halloween mode” where it roars. It actually startled me a few times, even though I should be expecting it

      Funny anecdote …… last night I drove to a shopping center to replace a headlight bulb on my kids car while they’re at work. Picture me parking next to an older Subaru, popping the hood, bending low over the engine compartment, contorting my upper body to maneuver my hands to the back of the headlights when suddenly behind me “ROAR”. Fucking a, even a little jump hurts when you’re tangled into an engine

      • Bluedragon012@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 hours ago

        I bring in less than 12k a year, find me an electric car I can afford on top of rent and food. :D I did not ask about charging infrastructure, it’s there, no argument. Motor heads -NOT I make fun of fake engine noises.