🔎 What’s going on?
A study published by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, IIASA and University Institute of Lisbon has concluded that small-scale technology can deliver net-zero quicker.
💡Cool, tell me more!
The study reviewed 45 technologies across nine categories such as cost, accessibility, performance and innovation to test whether they can help meet global climate targets.
They found that smaller-scale technologies such as solar panels, electric vehicles, storage batteries, heat pumps, smart thermostats, electric bikes, and shared taxis can speed up the transition to net-zero emissions. Mainly because they were proven technologies, widely available, less complex, have lower investment risks, and create new jobs.
In contrast, large-scale technologies that the scientists reviewed, included nuclear power, carbon capture and storage, high-speed transit systems, and whole-building retrofits. All of these technologies were found to be “politically seductive” but instead they take up huge amounts of public resources without speeding up the transition to net-zero emissions.
The study does note however that small-scale technologies on their own will not deliver net-zero by 2050. This is because, for some industries like air travel and manufacturing of cement, steel and iron they still do require large scale solutions to reduce carbon emissions. At present, small-scale solutions do not exist for those industries.
❓Why should I care?
An analysis published by scientists from the IPCC has revealed that despite agreeing to the Paris Agreement, 75% of countries are not even close to hitting their climate goals for 2030. The economic costs alone are huge if countries don’t hit their climate goals for 2030 - a minimum of $2 billion per day in economic losses. The cost to human health and wildlife would be on top.
🚦 Where do we need to be?
Collectively, we need to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In terms of how we get there - the answer is pretty simple. Often we think we need shiny new technologies to help us reduce our carbon footprint but as this study shows, that’s not true. Existing technologies can more than get us beyond halfway.
👤 What can I do about it? #theblueplanetposttips
As an individual invest in the small-scale technologies, because they are widely available and usually within budget:
- Switch your energy supplier and/or invest in solar panels
- Switch your vehicles and bikes to electric
- Invest in storage batteries, heat pumps, and smart thermostats
- Take public transport where possible and share taxis