A recent article from MIT Technology Review, entitled, “There was some good climate news in 2023. Really” presents an optimistic outlook about the future of climate science amid the overwhelming doomsday headlines that have surrounded us this year. I appreciated this piece because it simultaneously points out strengths and shortcomings of 2023 climate policy and engineering, emphasizing the work that still needs to be done without draining readers of their hope that circumstances will improve. On my blog, I like to focus on positive news and technological advancements in the climate sector because I want my readers to feel inspired and to know that we can all be part of the solutions the world is working toward. The article highlights three main points of growth this year: electric vehicles, methane policy, and funds to compensate for climate-related damages. We are seeing a trend of increased use of electric vehicles, which are predicted to constitute 15.5% of total automotive sales in the coming year. The batteries used to power these vehicles are becoming more accessible to the general public, and some governments, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and several US states have adopted policies to mandate the sale of only zero-emission new vehicles by 2035. My family took part in the movement this year, replacing two gas-powered cars with electric alternatives. Additionally, the recent UN climate conference brought good news for reducing methane emissions – the United States EPA announced that it will be requiring oil and gas companies to closely monitor their methane emissions, and several major enterprises, including Exxon, BP, and Saudi Aramco have pledged to decrease emissions by a minimum of 80% by 2030. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and accounts for about a quarter of overall global warming, so a significant cut in emissions could make a major difference. The COP28 also saw preliminary efforts by wealthy countries, which have historically contributed the most to global emissions, to create a fund that will aid developing nations, which are most vulnerable to climate-related impacts despite having played a very minor role in their creation. Although the amounts of money pledged so far seem microscopic compared to the estimated need, it is great to see this important first “step toward equitable climate resilience.” Reading this article felt like seeing a small flicker of light amid a sea of darkness, which reminds me that there is still hope for significant progress in the face of climate disaster, as long as we are dedicated to sacrifice and collaboration.
