Brad Plumer examines the global need to abate climate change amidst a new report showing carbon emission reductions being claimed by countries around the world can be deceiving.
A new report from the Breakthrough Institute details the ways developed nations have reduced carbon emissions between 1971 and 2006. The results demonstrate the differences in emission reductions from countries who are switching to cleaner energy sources in earnest, and those who have simply outsourced their most emission producing sectors elsewhere.
Rather than shifting to cleaner energy sources, countries such as Ireland, Britain and the United States have in reality been outsourcing their carbon pollution, by shifting their farming and manufacturing sectors abroad and increasing imports. "In the United States, manufacturing's share of the economy has fallen 45 percent since 1971 and imports' share has increased 200 percent." According to the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science in 2011, 'these "outsourced emissions" essentially cancel out any progress made under the Kyoto Protocol."
Countries like France and Sweden have become greener in more sustainable, and beneficial, ways. "France, for instance, achieved much of its decarbonization since 1971 by making a big push on nuclear power. Likewise, Sweden has been using less oil over the past four decades, while relying more on nuclear and geothermal and biofuels," states Plumer.
FULL STORY: Very few countries have cut their carbon emissions without cheating

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service