TUESDAY, May 19, 2020 -- It's not just your imagination -- with everyone avoiding travel, the air is cleaner these days. Daily global carbon emissions fell by about one-sixth during the"Population confinement has led to drastic changes in energy use and CO2 emissions.
The last time that daily carbon dioxide emissions were this low was in 2006, according to the international team of scientists. Emissions from cars and other types of"surface transport" accounted for almost half of the decrease in global emissions during peak confinement on April 7, while emissions from industry and power plants together accounted for another 43% of the decrease, the study found.There was just a slight increase in emissions from residential buildings as many people worked at home, according to the researchers.
She said opportunities exist to make real, durable changes and be more resilient to future crises. How?"By implementing economic stimulus packages that also help meet climate targets, especially for mobility, which accounts for half the decrease in emissions during confinement," Le Quéré said.