2023 is breaking all sorts of climate records

Illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on MIT Technology Review or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: 2023 has been a year of contrasting climate stories; while it's set to be the hottest year on record with greenhouse gas emissions reaching 36.8 billion metric tons, there's also been a significant increase in clean energy investments

🔭 The context: Despite global efforts, emissions continue to rise, with major contributors like China and India seeing around 4% and 8% growth in emissions, respectively
• However, the US and Europe have reported slight decreases

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The escalating temperatures and extreme weather events of 2023 are direct consequences of these rising emissions 
• At the same time, the record investment in clean energy, particularly in solar power, signals a shift towards more sustainable energy sources

⏭️ What's next: Analysts suggest that we might be nearing peak emissions in the next few years 
• Meanwhile, clean energy technologies and policies continue to advance, offering hope for a more sustainable future.

💬 One quote: "It’s not possible to take a look back at this year without talking about bad news. But there are some positives too, I promise!" (Casey Crownhartarchive, climate reporter)

📈 One stat: Global total spending on clean energy in 2023 reached $1.7 trillion, with solar power attracting more investment than fossil fuels for the first time

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