cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/54245880
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.
Moving is extremely expensive. Besides passing for a truck and fuel, you pay first, last, and often an additional month’s rent, if renting, plus utility deposits, but any deposit refunds usually lag a month. Assume you also are still working trying to get all this done, or aren’t and on a fixed income.
It totally is expensive, but it’s cheaper than driving 2 hours a day for 2-4 years (insurance, maintenance, registration, gas). Besides that, the health of the matter is that driving that much is terrible for you physically.
Cars have become this albatross across everyone’s neck in the US, and it makes me super sad that people don’t naturally try to get away from being chained to one.
Okay but f the poor who can’t and most need to do that. 🤷♀️
It’s like I said, it is possible to save up money by extreme measures, considering that 2+hours of driving is already in that camp (especially as a student). The sad thing is that even with a bachelors degree, that’s not even enough to “solve” one’s financial problems in the short term. It took me 7 years after college to start to become financially independent. All I’m saying is that it’s generally easier to rip off the bandaid sooner and move to the city and just not have a car.
What extreme measures? Selling drugs or oneself, stealing and fencing, robbery?
Delivery apps, boiled chicken and rice meals twice a day, live in your car (or with family/roommate). Start networking early for jobs while in school. Sell everything you own. Have nothing but your laptop+phone and personal items.
I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do always, and I’m not saying it’s morally right, but that’s what I did (save for living in a car; I didn’t have one). It really was painful at times, but it was the only way to save money when I was making 10$/hour.
To be clear: I’m all for standard free public housing for the poor, but it just isn’t going to happen in rural America, let alone every major city.
I got you. I guess I was more thinking of people with medical conditions or older people, because there’s a lot of that in my rural community. In fact, I don’t know anyone of any age who doesn’t need regular medical care.