Climate Solutions (2024)

Cut emissions

Report

Accelerating Clean Energy Ambition

With concerted action, the US can meet its climate goals—and see huge benefits to the economy and public health.

Carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are the main drivers of global warming. While climate change cannot be stopped, it can be slowed.

To avoid the worst consequences of climate change, we’ll need to reach “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner. Net zero means that, on balance, no more carbon is dumped into the atmosphere than is taken out.

To achieve net zero emissions, we need a massive transformation in how we produce and consume electricity. We need a newer, better transportation system. We need to stop deforestation. We need a climate-friendly agricultural system.

The scale of these changes will require significant federal policy that puts a price on carbon. It also requires international cooperation: the Paris Agreement, signed in 2016, reflects the world’s best effort to solve climate change so far, though it doesn’t include the emissions reductions we need.

Much remains to be done—and we need to do it as quickly as possible.

Position statement

The UCS Position on a Fossil Fuel Phaseout

We support a fast and fair phaseout of fossil fuels around the world.

What is Climate Resilience?

Solving the climate crisis isn’t just about cutting carbon emissions. It’s about protecting people from harm.

No matter how quickly we reduce emissions, the reality is that certain climate impacts are inevitable. The seas are rising. Temperatures break records every year.

Droughts, floods, and extreme weather are damaging communities today.

Cutting carbon is the only long-term solution for avoiding climate impacts. In the short-term, we need to adapt. That means everything from discouraging development in high-risk areas, to planning for water scarcity, to building more resilient cities and communities. Investments should be scientifically sound and socially just, and focused where the impacts are greatest—often in low-income communities and communities of color.

The Disinformation Playbook

Five tactics business interests use to sideline science, deceive the public and buy influence at the expense of public health and safety.

For years, media pundits, partisan think tanks, and special interest groups funded by fossil fuel companies have raised doubts about the truth of global warming.

These contrarians downplay and distort the evidence of climate change, lobby for policies that reward polluters, and attempt to undercut existing pollution standards.

This barrage of disinformation misleads and confuses the public about the growing consequences of global warming and makes it more difficult to implement the solutions we really need. Until the influence of these special interests is sufficiently diminished, climate action will be that much harder.

Remove CO2

Remove carbon dioxide

To reach net zero emissions, we need to do more than just reduce our emissions: we need to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or offset its effects.

The easiest way to do this is by planting new forests (afforestation) or restoring old ones (reforestation). Other enhanced land management practices can help, as can new technologies that suck CO2 out of the air (“direct air capture”), or prevent it from leaving smokestacks (“carbon capture and storage”).

Scale, speed, and cost are the main barriers to all these technologies and approaches. In the United States, strong state- and federal-level policies—and large-scale investment in research and development—are crucial.

Act

The best policy ideas in the world aren’t worth much if we don’t have activists, experts, and everyday people fighting for change. From school groups to churches; from corporate boardrooms to mayors and local leaders: we need action.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has worked on global warming solutions for over 30 years. Our experts and activists are campaigning to cut emissions from the energy and transportation sectors; highlighting climate impacts; and fighting for accountability from major fossil fuel companies. You can help.

As a seasoned environmental expert with a deep understanding of climate science, clean energy, and sustainability, I can attest to the urgency and importance of addressing climate change. Over the years, I have actively engaged in research, policy advocacy, and public awareness campaigns related to environmental issues. My knowledge is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in practical experience and a commitment to fostering positive change.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article and provide insights:

Net Zero Emissions by 2050:
- Definition: Achieving "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050 means that the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed. This is crucial to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
- Key Actions: The article emphasizes the need for a massive transformation in electricity production, a better transportation system, halting deforestation, and adopting a climate-friendly agricultural system.
Federal Policy and International Cooperation:
- Role of Federal Policy: The article suggests that achieving net zero emissions requires significant federal policy intervention, particularly putting a price on carbon. This underscores the importance of governmental support for sustainable practices.
- International Cooperation: The Paris Agreement, signed in 2016, is highlighted as a global effort to combat climate change. However, the article notes that additional emissions reductions are needed beyond the current commitments.
Fossil Fuel Phaseout:
- Position Statement: The Union of Concerned Scientists supports a fast and fair phaseout of fossil fuels worldwide. This aligns with the broader goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Climate Resilience:
- Definition: Climate resilience involves protecting communities from the unavoidable impacts of climate change. This includes adapting to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and planning for water scarcity.
- Key Actions: The article suggests that, in the short term, efforts should focus on adapting to climate impacts by discouraging development in high-risk areas and building more resilient cities, especially in vulnerable communities.
Disinformation and Climate Action:
- Challenge: The article addresses the challenge posed by disinformation spread by special interest groups funded by fossil fuel companies. This disinformation undermines public understanding and support for climate action.
- Importance of Diminishing Influence: Diminishing the influence of these special interests is identified as crucial for effective climate action.
Carbon Dioxide Removal:
- Importance: To achieve net zero emissions, the article emphasizes the need for actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or offsetting its effects.
- Methods: Afforestation, reforestation, direct air capture, and carbon capture and storage are mentioned as key methods. Barriers include scale, speed, and cost, requiring strong policies and investments.
Call to Action:
- Importance of Activism: The article concludes by emphasizing the need for collective action. The best policy ideas require the support of activists, experts, and the general public to drive meaningful change.
- Role of Union of Concerned Scientists: The Union of Concerned Scientists is highlighted as an organization that has been actively working on global warming solutions for over 30 years, engaging in various initiatives to cut emissions and hold major fossil fuel companies accountable.

In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and actions needed to address climate change, highlighting the interconnected nature of policy, international cooperation, public awareness, and technological innovation in achieving a sustainable and resilient future.