The U.S. war with Iran has raised fossil fuel prices so much that the resulting drop in oil demand has put the world on track to see a rare dip in carbon emissions from these sources in 2026.

Between 2019 and 2025, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels grew by about 0.8 percent annually, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. But 2026 is set to buck that trend: high oil prices, as well as the continued rise of green technology—solar power, wind and electric cars—will cause a “short-term” 0.4 percent drop, according to the study.

“The high petrol prices following the war in Iran are reducing oil use and keeping emissions low,” says the study’s lead author Corinne Le Quéré, a professor of climate change science at the University of East Anglia in England. “But that’s not the whole story: The expansion of renewable energy has progressed a lot in recent years, led by China. And [along with electric vehicles], this is offsetting two thirds of the growing demand for energy.”

With all sources of carbon considered, including deforestation, total global CO2 emissions are set to continue increasing.

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[–] binarytobis@lemmy.world 21 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I’ve always been of the opinion that gas should be more expensive. This idea has been unpopular in pretty much every group I’ve exposed it to.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

You’ll find it more popular here. There are at least several of us.

[–] thedarkfly@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago

That's because they have no convenient and affordable alternative. "A developed country is where rich people take the train, not where poor people drive cars".

[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago

I'm trying to popularize the term "imagination deficit disorder".

[–] Polisheocket@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

We built a society on driving, we can’t punish people with without valid alternatives.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

We can’t make striving more expensive because it would harm more vulnerable people, but we can’t build alternatives because everyone drives.

I don’t know how to break that cycle of self-harm but maybe it starts by making driving more expensive. This is the least impactful direction because it costs only a little at a time and your own choices of vehicle and habits can make a difference.

[–] Polisheocket@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

Theres just so many areas that have no other option. The better option is force public transit in every city in America but some cities are really small. I don’t know the answer either. I work from home so it doesn’t really effect me but I feel for the people driving 100 miles a day. Also trucks that ship our food and goods will now charge more so now where effecting every person and raising prices for everything. You’d have to have a government subsidy to keep fuel cost lower for shipments