GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Commitments to reach net-zero emissions have been made from small businesses like Grand Rapids Madcap Coffee to companies such as DTE Energy, and even by 189 countries in the Paris Climate Agreement.
But what exactly does "net zero" mean and why does it matter? Let's break it down.
The term net-zero means that any greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere are balanced by an equal amount being taken out of the atmosphere.
In the most basic terms: what goes in, must come out.
Currently, the earth is not at net-zero emissions. There are more greenhouse gasses being admitted from humans and by natural causes than are being removed from the atmosphere. Therefore, our planet needs to go on a carbon diet to reach that net-zero status. This will allow the temperature of our atmosphere to increase at a much slower rate. Scientists believe that if we can make that happen we will help curb the impacts of climate change.
This is because, if you think of our atmosphere like a bucket, holding all the greenhouse gasses released by humans and nature, you can see that since the industrial revolution our bucket continues to fill with greenhouse gases quicker. Once that carbon bucket is full it's believed that the impacts are irreversible.
All that being said, to bend the curve of climate change, global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut in half by 2030. That means creating carbon-free electricity, electrifying transportation, adopting energy efficiency measures, transforming our farming and food habits can help lead to net-zero earth.
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