There are two policies that could make a change RIGHT now.
Exporting our natural gas technology to countries that burn coal. In fact, we could export our natural gas as well. With the cheap price of natural gas, and the simple fact that it burns cleaner with less C02 emissions, a mandate to convert ALL coal plants over to natural gas in 5 years would reduce emissions significantly. Yes, it is an increased timeline, but things aren't going to start changing unless we get serious about this. The US needs to get on board with this too. They have abundant natural gas resources and some of the smartest minds in the world when it comes to the field. Why this isn't priority #1 is beyond me. It is not a middle ground approach either. Even with the increase in wind & solar, and the significant technological advancements being made in both fields to increase efficiency, we are still years away from having world wide adoption which is what really matters. There is little point in the United States having a massively growing wind & solar sector when countries in Asia are burning coal at an increasing rate. In fact it is downright alarming how we think simply banning natural gas plants here at home, not building pipelines, and in a large sense crippling the energy sector will make any difference at all. The only TRUE difference that could be made is helping other countries who do not have the resources or know how available to make the switch over to natural gas. 5 year plan, get it done.
Second thing that could change is something I've already mentioned here. Increase the use of cross laminated timber in the construction industry ten fold. I believe you can safety build up to 13 or 14 stories now, so anything under 10 stories should not be ALLOWED to be concrete unless absolutely proven that CLT won't work. I don't care what the excuses are, CLT could completely change the entire outlook of our planet.
Why? Cement production accounts for 8% of all C02 emissions.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46455844
As the article states, if cement were a 'country' it would account for more C02 production than any other country in the world outside of China & the US. That means MORE than Canada. And yet nobody is talking about this because it isn't sexy, and because most people can't hate on natural gas and oil this way.
The other benefit (bigger than not using cement) is increased CLT production would result in an increased supply chain to PRODUCE the CLT. That means increased timber production, enhanced forest management, etc, etc. Nothing makes us manage our forests better than knowing we can make money doing so. And because the lumber is harvested as young growth trees, we basically allow them to sequester maximum C02, cut them down, and then use that piece of wood that is STILL storing carbon to build buildings. Lots of buildings. In the meantime we, we plant more trees in the same area, and repeat the process. Within 50 years we could have sequestered a massive amount of C02 from the atmosphere. That could reverse the climate change trend, or at the very least slow it down. It would also allow us more time to come up with much more efficient technologies such as fission and better solar & wind.
I do NOT get why this isn't being talked about and hammered away at. I have yet to hear a single politician mention it. In all 45 pages of this thread, I have been the only one to mention these two things, which to be honest, is actually shocking. It shows to me that society as decided that only CERTAIN industries or practices are a fault for what is happening, and only by getting rid of THOSE can we solve the problem.
Electric cars is not going to fix the problem. We are 50+ years away from worldwide adoption, and even if do subsidize the hell out of the purchasing process, every single person in North America driving an electric car is NOT going to reverse climate change.
The stop-gap approach of enhanced natural gas usage IS a solution. In fact, I would say it is the ONLY solution right now that can make a significant difference.
Crazy that we're not going in that direction.
And also why I don't really give a damn what is being pitched by most politicians in their 'plan.' Carbon tax? Give me a break. Politicians love using taxes to fix problems. Why not fix them the right way? Oh right, cause they're all hypocrites.
At least there is some good news in the CLT world, and hopefully more coming.
https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/n...argest-country
You know what else would help? Wooden window contruction. Go look it up. Could make an absolutely massive difference in North America alone.