This is an interesting, somewhat technical thread, on optimal climate policy. Nordhaus argued that some degree of mitigation above the current amount is “optimal” (always), not that there is an optimal pathway with a break even point in the future. Summary: Mitigate now!

It is quite remarkable to look at what has happened in the US since 2010... Coal is nose diving, gas is flying. Economics can shift an entire energy system in a decade (what was Vaclav Smil saying?) Imagine if a bit of climate policy was thrown in...

Here is a longer discussion on the Norwegian forest sink and what may drive it. sciencenorway.no/enviroment-for… 4/4

There is a lot of confusion about carbon budgets and how quickly emissions need to fall to zero to meet various warming targets. To cut through some of this morass, we can use some very simple emission pathways to explore what various targets would entail. 1/11

"We estimate that 30 years of natural forest regrowth across 349 Mha & 678 Mha could [lead to uptake of 5.9 to 8.9 GtCO₂/yr]". This includes some below ground carbon. Plenty to unpack, but how does it compare to emission scenarios? 1/ nature.com/articles/s4158…

“If China’s emissions didn’t go to zero, then 1.5°C would not have been an option” Which is true of all countries, but China emits >25% of global emissions, so it can make or break Paris! Now, make sure China delivers... Akshat Rathi bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Our new study on plug-in hybrid #ElectricVehicle usage is out now (The ICCT & Fraunhofer ISI)! Data from over 100,000 PHEV from China, Europe, & the US. Key results: 1. fuel consumption and co2 emissions two to four times higher than test cycle

There is ~40MtCO₂ of CCS 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 (different to storage), but most of this is gas processing where the CO₂ 𝐡𝐚𝐬 to be removed. There were 2 coal power plants with CCS, but the newest just closed! CCS has a long way to go... iea.org/reports/ccus-i…

The huge scale of investments required for China to reach net-zero by 2060 could raise China’s GDP by as much as 5% later this decade, with a modest ongoing positive impact due to reduced fossil-fuel imports. Climate mitigation as a win-win... carbonbrief.org/analysis-going…

Modeled out to net-zero CO₂ emissions in 2070, the International Energy Agency Sustainable Development Scenario needs substantial CCS. In the early decades most is directed towards fossil fuels (brown), but this later shifts to CO₂ removal (green). iea.org/reports/ccus-i…

To kick off the Halloween season, I want to remind you, there isn't much I find scarier than market failures. I see deadweight loss people... 🧟😱👻

Yesterday was our official NEONreseach.nl KICK-OFF! tagline: NEON 'lights the way to zero emission energy and mobility' Here are 5 PhD positions on the program. Apply if they appeal to you and you want to work in a multi-disciplinary team (thread)

Weight of all land mammals 🌍 30% Humans 👨🏼‍🦰👩🏽👨🏾👵🏿👴🏻 67% Human Livestock 🐄🐂🐏🐖🐐 and pets 🐩🐈🐇 3% Wild animals 🐘🦏🦛🐆🐅🦓🦍🦒 We slaughtered the megafauna Now we are entering the 7th mass extinction ☄️ Welcome to our #Anthropocene

It is often assumed that the International Energy Agency scenarios must require huge amounts of CO₂ removal. In fact, the IEA scenarios (green) use far less CO₂ removal then the equivalent scenarios assessed by the IPCC (blues). iea.org/reports/ccus-i…

Any #biodiversity #conservation #land and/or #food people with #interdisicplinary interests is passionate about an editorial career? One Earth is hiring & you can apply here: relx.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/ElsevierJobs/j…

Register for the free online LabLinks: Circular plastics economy – linking across scales on March 17 Northwestern hubs.ly/H0G64Gk0

📣🤩🌍👏👍

Interested in reading, commissioning, & curating #interdisciplinary research & perspectives to advance #sustainability solutions in #FoodSecurity, #BiodiversityConservation, & #LandUseChange? Apply to join our editorial team - applications close March 12th relx.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/ElsevierJobs/j…

Ten more days to apply for a PhD position on climate and energy targets in developing countries in my European Research Council (ERC) project on the feasibility of climate action! We're building an amazing research group. Come be a part of it! bit.ly/3vROKsO

Read the science behind this TIME article here: cell.com/one-earth/full…. Increasing Arctic Fires Are Melting Permafrost That Keeps Carbon Underground ti.me/3oPSbQ7