Norway has recorded a clear reduction of carbon emissions, down 3 percent from 2018 to 2019. Temperatures this fall, however, have risen far above normal and Arctic ice keeps melting, meaning the climate crisis is far from over.
News bureau NTB confirmed that Norway’s emissions, which have risen over the years because of the country’s oil industry, amounted to 50.6 million tons. That’s the lowest level since 1992 and equivalent to a reduction of 1.6 million tons of carbon equivalents.
This year’s emissions are likely to be even less, because of the huge reduction in airline and vehicular transport tied to the Corona crisis. Another key climate indicator isn’t as bright, however: Drammen recorded an unusually high temperature of 17.4C on Monday, setting a new warmth record for the large southern region of Norway now known as Viken.
NRK reported on Wednesday that Drammen’s dubious record may already be beaten on Thursday, when forecasts call for unseasonably warm weather and some sunshine after many weeks of rain. The wet weather this autumn has also led to more rain in Oslo than in traditionally rainy Bergen, for the first time in 27 years.
newsinenglish.no staff
