This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/516064-pandemic-usa-paris-climate-goals/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pandemic put US back on track to meet Paris climate goals, report finds, but at huge human cost Pandemic put US back on track to meet Paris climate goals, report finds, but at huge human cost
(7 months later)
In what researchers have dubbed a “remarkable” reversal of fortunes, pandemic-induced lockdowns across the US have brought the country back on track to meet targets in the Paris climate accord, but at a grim human cost.In what researchers have dubbed a “remarkable” reversal of fortunes, pandemic-induced lockdowns across the US have brought the country back on track to meet targets in the Paris climate accord, but at a grim human cost.
According to an independent report released Thursday, US renewable energy capacity broke new deployment records in 2020, thanks to numerous tax incentives and initiatives, while coal consumption dropped concurrently.  According to an independent report released Thursday, US renewable energy capacity broke new deployment records in 2020, thanks to numerous tax incentives and initiatives, while coal consumption dropped concurrently.  
The proportion of electricity generated by renewables hit a record 20 percent of overall capacity, eclipsing coal, which dipped to 19 percent. Emissions from electricity use also fell 3.8 percent as office spaces lay fallow with people working from home.The proportion of electricity generated by renewables hit a record 20 percent of overall capacity, eclipsing coal, which dipped to 19 percent. Emissions from electricity use also fell 3.8 percent as office spaces lay fallow with people working from home.
Meanwhile, vehicle emissions dropped, greenhouse gas emissions from the power grid decreased and the greatest amount of renewable energy capacity in a single year came online, despite what one expert called a “dire” first six months.Meanwhile, vehicle emissions dropped, greenhouse gas emissions from the power grid decreased and the greatest amount of renewable energy capacity in a single year came online, despite what one expert called a “dire” first six months.
“Things were not looking great halfway through the year,” said Ethan Zindler, head of Americas at BloombergNEF, a research organization.“Things were not looking great halfway through the year,” said Ethan Zindler, head of Americas at BloombergNEF, a research organization.
The report, produced by BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, also found that greenhouse gas emissions were down nine percent from 2019, and down 20 percent from 2005 levels. The report, produced by BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, also found that greenhouse gas emissions were down nine percent from 2019, and down 20 percent from 2005 levels. 
This brought the country back on track to meet its obligations laid out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement, from which former president Donald Trump withdrew, a decision which was reversed by his successor Joe Biden on his first day in office. This brought the country back on track to meet its obligations laid out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement, from which former president Donald Trump withdrew, a decision which was reversed by his successor Joe Biden on his first day in office. 
Despite the “pretty remarkable” gains, Zindler cautions that “Transportation will not necessarily get there without new policies and regulations.”Despite the “pretty remarkable” gains, Zindler cautions that “Transportation will not necessarily get there without new policies and regulations.”
While the news is great for the environment, and the wider cause of bringing climate change under control, there was a significant human cost to the pandemic which cannot be forgotten. While the news is great for the environment, and the wider cause of bringing climate change under control, there was a significant human cost to the pandemic which cannot be forgotten. 
According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the US has suffered 493,000 deaths, while recording over 27,898,000 cases of Covid-19. According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the US has suffered 493,000 deaths, while recording over 27,898,000 cases of Covid-19. 
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the true economic impact of the pandemic will likely take years to calculate fully. The US’ unemployment rate peaked at 14.8 percent in April 2020, the worst since records began in 1948, before receding to 6.7 percent by December.Beyond the tragic loss of life, the true economic impact of the pandemic will likely take years to calculate fully. The US’ unemployment rate peaked at 14.8 percent in April 2020, the worst since records began in 1948, before receding to 6.7 percent by December.
Countless small businesses face a likely greener and yet more uncertain future than ever before. Countless small businesses face a likely greener and yet more uncertain future than ever before. 
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.