Yearbook of Sustainability: Global Class of 2023
As we head into 2024, it is time to take a look back at the successes and challenges of sustainability in 2023. With the recent publication of the 2023 Emissions Gap Report by the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) on November 27th and the UN’s climate conference in Dubai, it is clear we will need to do more in the coming year.
Carbon emissions and global temperatures broke all previous records. If we stay this course, we are headed for a 3–5-degree Celsius increase within the century. Countries with high emissions and wealth will need to be more ambitious and proactive in helping provide support to developing nations. Here are some of the challenges for 2023:
- Earth’s temperature hit the 2 degrees Celsius (C) mark for the first time on October 27, 2023. We surpassed all past recorded heat entries for six months in a row. The entire year on average 1.46 C increase on pre-industrial levels and very close to the threshold set for 2030.
- CO2 emissions are set to hit 36.8 billion metric tons with a 1.1% increase since 2022.
- The Whitehouse Briefing Room released a fact sheet two weeks ago pertaining to a newly formed Council on Supply Chain Resistance including clean energy technologies and monitoring climate impacts; another part of the Biden plan for reaching 2050 goals.
- The National Centers for Environmental Information stated as of today the US has had 25 severe weather disasters. With the cost of inflation factored in, the US will pay $73.8 billion and mourn the loss 464 people.
- Atlanta’s goal to achieve 100% clean energy for municipal operations and the city by 2035 is falling short of its pledge. Having a goal of being at 30% by 2025, last week, Chandra Farley Chief of Sustainability at City Hall gave grim news only 13% of the 30% has been reached.
Here are some of the successes filling us with hope:
- Solar power surpassed 1 trillion watts of installed capacity worldwide.
- Massive reforestation project in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest has recovered 500,000 acres of land.
- Switzerland voted in favor of climate laws aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- The Ocean Clean Up Project reported significant reduction in plastic waste.
- Multiple major cities planning to go carbon neutral by 2030.
- The Biden Administration is taking action to safeguard endangered species.
- Record growth of electric vehicles.
- Atlanta’s Mayor Andre Dickens relaunched the Clean Energy Advisory Board to help increase the use of clean energy and reduce climate change impact.
As the year comes to a close, evaluating where we are will get us where we need to be. We are all part of the solution.
“When day comes, we step out of the shade, Aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it, For there is always light, If only we’re brave enough to see it, If only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~ Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country
