Before the damage done to the climate is irreversible, greenhouse gas production has to be non-existent. According to the UN, 45% of emissions need to be reduced by 2030 with the goal for the whole world to be net zero by 2050. Switching to renewable energy sources is the best way to become net-zero, but not all countries are doing their part
Where are Greenhouse Gasses Coming From?
Based on the UNEP Emissions Gap Report of 2023, 60% of greenhouse emissions originate from five countries– China, The US, India, the EU, and the Russian Federation. Greenhouse emissions have been on the rise since the industrial revolution. CO2 is the main contributor to greenhouse gasses from the burning of fossil fuels.The NRDC cites the United States as the country with the most emissions in the past 150 years.
Hard Goals and Missing Deadlines
The weight of reducing greenhouse emissions is not equal for all countries. Some countries, like the top 20 countries that create 76% of greenhouse emissions (according to the UNEP Emissions Report 2023), definitely have to make more of a commitment since the weight is on their shoulders.
How Can We Help Lower Emissions?
As people, we can become aware of how our country is contributing to greenhouse emissions and support those trying to switch to renewable energy. We can also limit the amount of greenhouse gasses that we emit by converting to renewable energy ourselves; solar panels, electric cars, etc. are ways that we can do this. Overall, it is the job of governments to start renewable energy initiatives and big corporations to cut down on their emissions, which is hard when businesses see money and not the people and the planet they are harming.