US emissions fell 2.1% in 2019. Here's why

[Recursion]

https://electrek.co/2020/01/08/us-emissions-drop-2019/

The US saw a 2.1% fall in greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, according to a new report titled “Preliminary US Emissions Estimates for 2019” by independent research company Rhodium Group.

This was due to a decrease in coal plants, which resulted in an emissions drop of 190 million metric tons.

The 2019 fall is good news, seeing how there was a rise of 3.4% in 2018. Further, renewables were up 6% in 2019. But the bad news is, it’s not enough.

There has been little progress in reducing CO2 in other sectors. For example, industry is now a larger source of emissions than coal-fired power, and growing.

I will take such good news as I can get.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Within one years time

four of the dirtiest Power Plants were shuttered here in the Southwest. And if one understands the Prevailing Winds and Jet Stream Patterns,well hey the rest of the USA,you are now going to see a Healthier Wind Pattern flowing in your direction.

[jimmy the one]

2. But the bad news is .......

I think that's just a reduction in a somewhat steady growth of greenhouse gas emissions. Like if you turn your thermostat down in winter to 65 at night from 70, you are still heating your house and using energy despite your 'reduction' of 8% or so (fahrenheit scale 0 degrees - 100).

Your link: But the bad news is, it’s not enough. There has been little progress in reducing CO2 in other sectors. For example, industry is now a larger source of emissions than coal-fired power, and growing.
Unfortunately, far less progress was made in other sectors of the economy. Transportation emissions remained relatively flat [drop by 0.3%]. Emissions rose from buildings [2.2%], industry [0.6%], and other parts of the economy [agriculture, waste, land use, oil and gas methane, etc. — 4.4%], though less than in 2018. All told, net US [greenhouse gas] emissions ended 2019 slightly higher than at the end of 2016.

At roughly 12% below 2005 levels, the US is at risk of missing its Copenhagen Accord target of a 17% reduction by the end of 2020, and is still a long way off from the 26-28% reduction by 2025 pledged under the Paris Agreement [which of course, the Trump administration withdrew the US from].

The worser news is, we all doomed.

[gratuitous]

3. Imagine how much better we could do if we tried

I keep hoping it's not too late for us to act, I fear it is too late, but the need for action gets greater every year.