Vicious circle in climate issue

Energy group BP said in its annual market review that the demand for energy consumption rose 2.9 per cent last year, led by the US and China, since the carbon emission also rose 2 per cent, there could be a link between carbon emission and energy demand. BP's chief economist, Spencer Dale, warned there could be a potential worry vicious cycle.

This cycle is not difficult to understand. When the weather becomes more extreme, we often need more air condition and/or heating, air condition and heating both needs more energy. Especially when we still largely rely on unsustainable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, the increased demand for energy will worsen the climate issue, leading to even more extreme weather.

This cycle can go on and on; it is extremely necessary and urgent to have a tipping point where the unsustainable energy is mostly replaced by renewable energy. There have been several major changes which have the potential to be the tipping point. The high speed electric trains the electric vehicles have such potential to be the tipping point. In the US, cars are the main transport, if they are replaced by electric vehicles, the carbon emission will drop dramatically. In addition, when more people can travel in high speed trains, the carbon emission from cars and planes will drop dramatically.

Overall, we need to pay more attention to our environment, but luckily there have been some impressive progresses done.