End of fossil fuels after Covid?

[Ellener]

'Britain's electricity grid will not have burnt any coal for 60 days - as of midnight on Wednesday 10 June. That is by far the longest period since the Industrial Revolution began more than 200 years ago.

When I spoke to the National Grid, they said they weren't expecting a coal generator to be turned back on anytime soon.

In the US, more energy was consumed from renewables than from coal for the first time ever this year,' 

I have noticed the clearer air here, apparently it's global.

 

[Tamfana]

It's great. It shows us how easily we can address climate change.  

[Ellener]

I will be writing to Biden about Green New Deal! 

[Ellener]

https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres109/BILLS-116hres109ih.pdf is the bill

[schlumpy]

10 hours ago, Ellener said:

'Britain's electricity grid will not have burnt any coal for 60 days - as of midnight on Wednesday 10 June. That is by far the longest period since the Industrial Revolution began more than 200 years ago.

When I spoke to the National Grid, they said they weren't expecting a coal generator to be turned back on anytime soon.

In the US, more energy was consumed from renewables than from coal for the first time ever this year,' 

I have noticed the clearer air here, apparently it's global.

 

Worldwide I don't see how that's possible. China is building hundreds of coal fired plants. Not all of us have the privilege of living in Houston.🙂

https://www.wired.com/story/china-is-still-building-an-insane-number-of-new-coal-plants/

 

[elaine567]

Is not the clear air mainly due in the lockdown to decreased air and car traffic?
Once the planes and cars get going again we will all be back to "normal"

[chillii]

Yeah , dunno how people can't put that together nothings normal anywhere in the world of course pollution's way down. ln all that way though l'm kind of hoping this has all been a blessing and might speed renewable up afterward ,

ln some ways it's quietly like countries have already taken a huge hit anyway so they may as well go all the way make other changes , gonna be a lot of restructuring in all kinds of ways after all this l think.

Edited June 11, 2020 by chillii

[Ellener]

@chillii I was reading an interview with Dalai Lama last week, two issues he has personally watched unfold are imposed government from China and climate change- the mountains don't have the snow like they did apparently.

The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate released last year said

even if carbon emissions are dramatically and rapidly cut and succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5 degree C, 36 percent of glaciers along the Hindu Kush and the Himalayan range will be gone by the year 2100. If emissions are not cut, the loss will increase to two-thirds.

The dangers and impacts are compounded by China’s policies in Tibet, which seal off the Tibetan Plateau from regional cooperation and exclude and marginalize Tibetans as stewards of their own fragile high-altitude ecosystem. 

I'll post his message to the world from March below, so far it seems that high altitude populations globally have not been heavily affected by Covid-19.

A Special Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama

My dear brothers and sisters,

I am writing these words in response to repeated requests from many people around the world. Today, we are passing through an exceptionally difficult time due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to this, further problems confront humanity such as extreme climate change. I would like to take this opportunity to express my admiration and gratitude to governments across the world, including the Government of India, for the steps they are taking to meet these challenges.

Ancient Indian tradition describes the creation, abiding and destruction of worlds over time. Among the causes of such destruction are armed conflict and disease, which seems to accord with what we are experiencing today. However, despite the enormous challenges we face, living beings, including humans, have shown a remarkable ability to survive.

No matter how difficult the situation may be, we should employ science and human ingenuity with determination and courage to overcome the problems that confront us. Faced with threats to our health and well-being, it is natural to feel anxiety and fear. Nevertheless, I take great solace in the following wise advice to examine the problems before us: If there is something to be done—do it, without any need to worry; if there’s nothing to be done, worrying about it further will not help.

Everyone at present is doing their best to contain the spread of the coronavirus. I applaud the concerted efforts of nations to limit the threat. In particular, I appreciate the initiative India has taken with other [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] countries to set up an emergency fund and an electronic platform to exchange information, knowledge and expertise to tackle the spread of Covid-19. This will serve as a model for dealing with such crises in future as well.

I understand that as a result of the necessary lockdowns across the world, many people are facing tremendous hardship due to a loss of livelihood. For those with no stable income life is a daily struggle for survival. I earnestly appeal to all concerned to do everything possible to care for the vulnerable members of our communities.

I offer special gratitude to the medical staff—doctors, nurses and other support personnel—who are working on the frontline to save lives at great personal risk. Their service is indeed compassion in action.

With heartfelt feelings of concern for my brothers and sisters around the world who are passing through these difficult times, I pray for an early end to this pandemic so that your peace and happiness may soon be restored.

With my prayers,

Dalai Lama