Friday 31 December 2021

from Bob Whitehead - stop burning fossil fuels, now

Good morning Tim,

We can argue with each other about the level of emissions, but we cannot argue with the laws of nature of of physics. Even if all CO2 (and other GHG emissions) were stopped now, the amount already in the atmosphere will be causing warming for years, if not decades to come. Yet, the goal of keeping below the 1.5 degree limit would be attainable, and that is the important point. That is the reason for having zero carbon policies and opposing the still increasing level of emissions.

Let us be specific, the use of fossil fuels for burning should be rapidly ended. A certain amount of oil could be used for lubrication, non-single-use-plastic  or pharmaceuticals, for example, but as an energy source its time is over. That would also end leaks of gas (methane) leaks from refinery and delivery systems and would be allied to the shift from cattle rearing and landfill in further reducing methane emissions.

This would entail turning the economy upside down, producing a lot less and only producing things which are strictly necessary, useful and and sustainable. In particular, the largest polluters on the planet, the rich, should be targeted. Hence the need for a just transition - ecosocialism.

Bob

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