· 2 min read
iIluminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Hill or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Despite 2024 being the warmest year on record, significant climate wins emerged, including plummeting coal use, strides in river restoration, surging private investments in clean energy, resilient grid advancements, and slight greenhouse gas emission reductions in key regions
🔭 The context: The UK closed its last coal plant, Indigenous-led efforts saw historic dam removals on the Klamath River, and U.S. private investment in clean energy hit $71 billion in Q3 2024
• The U.S. Department of Energy allocated $473.6 million to enhance grid resilience, while U.S. emissions fell by an estimated 0.6%
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These developments showcase progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, restoring ecosystems, advancing renewable energy, and bolstering energy infrastructure resilience
• However, global emissions remain on an upward trend, requiring more urgent action
⏭️ What's next: Sustained global collaboration and accelerated decarbonization are necessary to meet climate goals
• Investment momentum and grid modernization are expected to drive further progress in 2025
💬 One quote: "Progress in all countries needs to accelerate fast enough to put global emissions on a downward trajectory towards net zero." – Glen Peters, CICERO
📈 One stat: Private investments in clean energy represented 5% of U.S. total investments in structures and equipment in 2024, up from 4.5% in 2023
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