In November 2021, several reputable news outlets, including the Washington Post and the New York Times, highlighted a concerning fact: despite the global economic shutdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere remained unchanged or even slightly increased. These reports were based on data from the official U.S. government source for measuring carbon dioxide.
The findings suggested that the extensive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the shutdown of economies worldwide had little to no impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Surprisingly, even with significant decreases in activities like automobile traffic, flights, and industrial operations, carbon dioxide levels continued to rise.
These findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of President Biden’s climate agenda, which includes significant investments in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, solar panels, and building retrofits. Critics argue that the billions of dollars spent on combating global warming might be wasted, as human activity may not be the primary driver of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Scientists have proposed various explanations for the lack of a noticeable change in carbon dioxide levels during the pandemic. Some suggest that natural variations in carbon emissions from vegetation and soil, in response to seasonal changes, may be responsible. However, this challenges the prevailing belief that human activity is the main cause of climate change.
Furthermore, the acknowledgment by President Biden that the United States is responsible for less than 15% of global carbon emissions, while the rest of the world contributes 85%, raises concerns about the effectiveness of U.S. climate initiatives if other nations do not take similar actions.
Critics argue that the climate agenda needs to be reassessed, with a shift towards a more balanced approach that considers natural factors like vegetation and soil. They also emphasize the importance of international cooperation to address global emissions.
Overall, these reports have sparked a debate on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of climate policies, urging policymakers to reevaluate the focus and impact of their initiatives in light of the latest scientific findings.