We talk a lot about reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Green house gasses are the major cause of climate change and therefore reduction is critical. How are we doing? Worldwide GHGs continue to increase (53.2 gigaton of CO2 equivalents in 2024), but many countries have made great progress. The EU has reduced GHGs by 35% since 1990. The USA has reduced 5%. (From GHG EMISSIONS OF ALL WORLD COUNTRIES)
Locally we have done very well by decreasing our GHGs by 50% from 1990 to 2022 according to San Francisco’s 2026 Climate Action Plan. This plan update the 2021 Climate Action Plan and the 2023 Climate Action Report. Check out these documents to see how climate action directly improves quality of life and how climate leadership goes hand in hand with economic development. They also show how we all can make a difference!