Future carbon emissions: is optimism realistic?
February 26th, 2010 by Jim JustStuart Staniford at Early Warning has posted some revealing graphs showing past carbon emissions – and projected future carbon emissions from China.
First, a history of carbon emissions. Notice emissions didn’t really start to take off until the 1950s.
Next, a closer look at emissions since 1965, broken out by major contributors.
Future Chinese emissions make doubtful any prospect of avoiding dangerous or even catastrophic global warming, whether or not the Chinese economy continues along its current growth path.
Exactly how is the world going to achieve 20% cuts (from 1990 levels) by 2020, much less 80% by 2050? Copenhagen sure doesn’t leave much room for optimism.