Global emissions have hit a seven-year high, according to BP’s annual energy review, putting the world behind on efforts to curb the effects of climate change.

  • A rise in the number of days that are hotter or colder globally increased human consumption of energy for heating or cooling, said BP chief economist Spencer Dale.
  • Global energy demand jumped at its quickest rate since 2010, despite modest economic growth and efforts to stem climate change, according to Reuters.
  • China, India, and the U.S. accounted for two thirds of the increased usage, according to Bloomberg.
  • On a positive note, the report found that China is a world leader in the use of renewable energy, ahead of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (a 36 country coalition), which includes the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.

Extreme weather is the main cause. Unpredictable weather patterns in 2018 drove an increase in energy consumption, according to BP, with the U.S. experiencing the highest number of very hot or very cold days since the 1950s. Russia and China likewise experienced a higher variation of hot and cold weather last year.

Coal use and production at five-year high. Asia’s need to connect people with reliable electricity drove demand for the fossil fuel. Burning coal increases greenhouse gas emissions, which last year increased by 2%. Forbes

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