Stanford study shows carbon emissions nearing pre-pandemic levels as economy rebounds
PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Fewer cars on the roads and fewer planes in the skies during the pandemic helped reduce carbon emissions. However, Stanford's annual emissions study shows we're fast returning to pre-pandemic levels.
We're back on the move, commuting and traveling. As the economy rebounds, so is the level of carbon emissions. Stanford researchers say it's up nearly five percent from last year and close to pre-pandemic levels.
RELATED: Ways you can help fight climate change at home
"When you park a car in a driveway or mothball a plane or steel plant, as soon as that infrastructure comes back into service, it's the same polluting infrastructure that was there before," said Prof. Rob Jackson Ph.D., chair of the Stanford Global Carbon Project.
Economic growth doesn't have to mean more carbon emissions. Before the pandemic, he points out the U.S., Japan and Mexico were reducing emissions.
"There are lots of countries, too, where emissions have decreased over the last decade, but economies grew, so I don't think there's a tight coupling between economic growth and emissions," Jackson said.
WATCH: Study predicts sea level rise could swamp Bay Area cities at high tide
However, China could be a major exception. Due to tight power supplies, coal mining and coal burning have increased to ramp up manufacturing.
Nationally and in California, EV sales are breaking records. However, electric vehicles represent only about 10 or 11 percent of the market. And it will take years before today's gas-powered vehicles go out of service.
"When we clean up the power sector, when we clean up the transportation sector, we don't just solve the climate problem. We save lives and make our air cleaner and healthier to breathe," Jackson said.
RELATED: SF's iconic fog slowly disappearing because of climate change, experts say
Even with ambitious pledges being made at GOP26 in Scotland, progress can be difficult in Washington.
"The clean energy bill is mired in Congress, and we haven't done much for clean energy," noted Jackson.
Read the full report below:
Having trouble loading the study above? Click here to open it in a new window.
