A Contribution by
While India, the world’s largest democracy, is taking drastic measures against the climate crisis by cutting off fuel for old gasoline and diesel cars, Germany continues to debate “technological openness.”
Old Combustion Engines Can No Longer Refuel in Delhi – The Smog Forces the Government to Act
In Germany, diesel is still celebrated as an “efficient technology.” While even some African countries are considering similar steps, German auto lobbyists continue dreaming of synthetic e-fuels for vintage cars.
India Demonstrates What Serious Climate Policy Looks Like
And Germany? Still debating bans as if the climate crisis had all the time in the world. The smog in India is just the visible trigger. The fact is that CO₂ levels from vehicles are too high.
Globally, humans emit around 40 billion tons of CO₂ (40 gigatons) per year (as of 2023). The majority of these emissions come from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, as well as from cement production.
A Rough Breakdown of Global CO₂ Emissions
• Energy production (electricity, heating): ~40%
• Industry (cement, steel, chemicals): ~20%
• Transportation (road, aviation, shipping): ~20%
• Agriculture & deforestation: ~15%
• Other sources: ~5%
For Comparison:
• Before industrialization (around 1750), CO₂ levels in the atmosphere were 280 ppm (parts per million).
• Today, they exceed 420 ppm – a 50% increase.
To meet the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement, global emissions must drop to near zero by 2050. The biggest CO₂ emitters? Transportation, industry, and heating.
What Share of CO₂ Comes from Fossil Fuels?
A detailed breakdown of global CO₂ emissions by source:
• Coal: ~40% of global CO₂ emissions
• Oil (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc.): ~30%
• Natural gas: ~20%
• Industrial processes (e.g., cement production): ~5%
• Deforestation & agriculture: ~5–10%
Annual CO₂ Emissions from Different Sources:
• 8.21 billion people (breathing): ~2.92 gigatons of CO₂ per year
• 980 million pigs: ~0.44 gigatons of CO₂ per year
• 1.6 billion cattle: ~3.45 gigatons of CO₂ per year
• Fossil fuels: ~36 gigatons of CO₂ per year
Important Note:
The CO₂ exhaled by humans and animals is climate-neutral because it is part of the natural carbon cycle—plants absorb this CO₂ through photosynthesis. In contrast, the 36 gigatons of CO₂ from fossil fuels come from coal, oil, and gas that were locked away for millions of years. These additional emissions drive climate change.
The Bottom Line?
Almost four-fifths of global CO₂ emissions come from burning fossil fuels. Without a massive exit from coal, oil, and gas, climate goals are unattainable.
By Daniel Mautz
Delhi Bans Old Combustion Cars – And Us? Still Talking About “Technological Openness”
India’s capital is banning old gasoline and diesel cars from gas stations to tackle air pollution. Radical? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely – unless you want people to suffocate in smog.
And in Germany?
• Debates about synthetic e-fuels for vintage cars.
• Praise for diesel as a “highly efficient technology.”
• Panic over any measure that might inconvenience drivers.
Imagine if we seriously considered phasing out old polluters or cutting off fossil fuel supplies for combustion engines. A shitstorm would be guaranteed! Then come the usual arguments about “individual freedom” and “non-ideological climate policies.”
Delhi does what needs to be done. Meanwhile, we keep discussing until we successfully “moderate” CO₂ emissions in a technologically open way. As long as there are no “bans.” Until then, we’ll just keep breathing it all in.
Link to the original article on Spiegel Online
As long as there are no “bans.” Until then, we’ll just keep breathing it all in.
Trump’s Fossil Fuel Revival: While India Fights Pollution, the U.S. Doubles Down on Oil and Coal!
While many countries are increasingly striving to reduce their CO₂ emissions, the fossil fuel lobby in the United States remains a powerful force that systematically blocks climate protection measures.
Especially under Donald Trump, policies have been and continue to be pursued that actively promote fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal.
During his first term, the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, environmental regulations were massively rolled back, and new drilling rights for oil and gas were generously granted.
In his second term, starting in 2025, he has once again withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement.
In this political landscape, the fossil fuel lobby in the U.S. holds significant influence.
Trump has already taken steps to promote the domestic oil, gas, and coal industries.
For example, new tariffs have been imposed on imports from countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China to protect American energy production. This policy has led to tensions in international trade and could cause global economic instability.
Nevertheless, the fossil fuel lobby remains a strong supporter of Trump’s actions, as they see their interests well represented by the current administration.
While other countries, such as India and even China, are taking drastic steps to reduce CO₂ emissions, the U.S. under Trump continues to rely on fossil fuels.
This could have long-term negative consequences for global efforts to combat climate change.
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