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> It very much matters if the former #1 CO2 producer slows down. That's where I'm quite skeptical. I'm very doubtful that overall fossil fuel extraction will d
by boplicity 4y ago
> It very much matters if the former #1 CO2 producer slows down.
That's where I'm quite skeptical. I'm very doubtful that overall fossil fuel extraction will decrease. This is a worldwide problem. The climate is affected by the global level of fossil fuel use, not by the amount released by individual countries. The extraction rate is still at or near record highs (worldwide). Will it slow down? Maybe? However, it seems unlikely, given the political and economic cost necessary to actually make a real dent. Governments just aren't taking the problem as seriously as they should.
- Retric 4y agoI agree that it’s a worldwide problem. My point was simply individual countries slowing down is necessary even if it’s not sufficient to solve the problem. Where I see real progress globally is more efficient processes release less CO2 so there are economic incentives even if governments do nothing. India isn’t building solar farms to look green, they are building solar farms to save money. That means even more economies of scale and thus more solar farms. As these trends continue eventually fossil fuels lose economies of scale. That’s by far a more realistic path to success than every single government making wise long term policy decisions. Will that be fast enough is kind of an arbitrary metric, it’s not going to be as fast as possible but it will avert the worst possibilities.