Emissions continue to rise: Human-caused warming of the planet continues: both carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the global temperature average are continuing to climb. So far, 2026 is experiencing a super El Niño and record-breaking heat waves.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide. World Meteorological Organization, State of the Global Climate 2025, p.6.	Increase in global temperature from the 1850-1900 average. Berkeley Earth, May 2026 Temperature Update.

The low-carbon future is under construction: Renewable low-emission energy is growing fast globally, not only providing all growth in electricity generation demand in 2025, but also generating more electricity than gas for the first time ever and flattening growth in fossil fuel use. While the war in Iran has forced many Asian countries back to using coal temporarily, they are also accelerating building solar and wind power.

In April 2026, wind and solar generated more electricity than gas globally for the first time. Ember, Global electricity generation by source, April 2026.	Clean power growth has disconnected global electricity demand from growth in fossil fuel use. Ember, Cumulative change in electricity generation since 2000.

The end of the story is not determined: Our future depends on the choices we make today.

Business as usual? Or Net Zero: achieving dramatic declines in emissions to stabilize the climate. M de Podesta, Protons for Breakfast.