There is good news.

But nothing exists in a vacuum.

Not even Covid-19.

Not even good news.

The context: Global Co2 emissions need to fall by around eight per cent per year for the next decade to limit warming to less than 1.5°C.

Guess what the fall is now expected to be in 2020, due to Covid-19?

Eight per cent.

That was the good news.

It was brought to you by clear skies, birdsong, and humpback whales in Wellington harbour.

Now for the bad news.

That eight percent drop in Co2 emissions is with half the planet sitting at home, shops shut, cafés and restaurants doing take-out (at most), no tourism, and nearly all international passenger flights cancelled.

So, tell me, how do we take off another eight percent next year?

On top of that.

Do we become subsistence farmers?

Is there some middle ground?

Methinks this story doesn’t end well.

[These happy thoughts were brought to you by palm oil infused with charred orangutan. You’re welcome!]