EarthOne Takes a Stand for the Planet
AsiaOne has rolled out a fresh, eco‑focused section called EarthOne—because we’re passionate about our planet and back every bit of science. Dive into in‑depth pieces like the one shared below.
When the Pandemic Heals, the Planet Hurts
LONDON, July 20 – The global economic rebound post‑COVID is set to push greenhouse‑gas emissions to record highs, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned in a report released Tuesday.
“If all recovery measures hit the mark, CO₂ levels will surge into new territory in 2023 and keep climbing thereafter,” the IEA noted.
Green Energy Funding: A Tiny Drop in a Huge Lake
Governments worldwide have earmarked a combined US$380 billion (S$520 billion) for clean‑energy projects in Q2. That’s just 2 % of the total stimulus funds poured into recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, the IEA estimates that the world needs about three times this amount to put the planet back on track toward net‑zero emissions by mid‑century.
Fatih Birol, IEA chief, flagged the shortfall: “Both public and private funds mobilized for recovery are far from what’s necessary to hit climate goals.”
He added a call to action: “Countries must scale up clean‑energy investment beyond the recovery period—if we’re going to shift to a net‑zero pathway by 2050, it’s a narrow but achievable corridor, and it demands decisive action today.”
The IEA’s Harshest Take Yet
In a May report, the IEA issued a stark warning: the world cannot afford new fossil‑fuel projects if it wants to stay on the net‑zero track.
Emissions projections show a staggering 3.5 billion tonnes higher than the threshold needed to meet the 2050 target.
How The Money Slides Through Decades
- Two‑thirds of the US$380 billion earmarked for clean energy will hit the ground by 2023.
- Nearly all the remainder will unfold by 2030.
- By 2030, spending is projected to slump to less than one‑twentieth of the 2021 levels—an alarming accelerate‑down trajectory.
TL;DR – We’re investing a tiny fraction of the money we need, and even that is dwindling fast. It’s time to ramp up clean‑energy funding or we’ll just watch the planet burn.
For More Insight
Check out the IEA’s additional hit‑list: “World must remove 1 billion tonnes CO₂ by 2025 to meet climate goal.”
Stay tuned with EarthOne for wild, hopeful stories on taking real action for the earth.
