One Number

Though we are constantly bombarded with data, about the dropping cost of renewables or the number of universities that have divested from fossil fuels, there's really just one number you need to know: 419 ppm. Kind of says it all. No matter how many billions the inflation reduction act wants to throw at carbon capture and sequestration or direct air capture or green hydrogen, those 419 ppm are staying put for a long long time. And that's just the CO2. Methane and nitrous oxide have their own numbers. In other words, the lengthening handle of the "hockey stick" is still straight. Lots of numbers. The Arctic is warming four times faster than other regions. The oceans are trapping 90% of the heat. The growth rate in EV sales had frop[ped from 54% to 29%. Etc etc. I don't need more numbers, thanks. The U.S. response is to attack China for being too productive when it comes to green energy. They need to "curb" their enthusiasm because they have "excess industrial capacity". And here we were being told the "free market" would save us from climate chaos. But now they want "fair trade", that the U.S. needs to be cut some slack for being lame and falling behind in production. It's no fair that China knows how to get stuff done and make bank while we are busy listening to Kanye West and Marjorie Taylor Green. So Janet is asking them to cool it for a while. Does anyone really need more proof that the system is insane?