Science communicator John Lang has launched Climate Trunk, a new project utilizing interactive infographics to distill complex climate change data into digestible information for the general public.
- Global heating is currently occurring 27 times faster than the rate of warming following the last Ice Age.
- Global investment in clean energy now outpaces investment in fossil fuels by a ratio of two to one.
- New Zealand’s emissions have risen 9% since 1990, contributing to the nation receiving the “Fossil of the Day” award at COP30.
Understanding the Climate Trunk Approach
The project uses a visual metaphor of a tree to represent the multifaceted nature of climate science. The Climate Trunk website features interactive “tree rings” that radiate from a core of scientific data.
The initial “Big Picture” series includes four infographics: “It’s Real,” “It’s Us,” “It’s Bad,” and “It’s Fixable.” A new infographic and concise explainer will be released weekly for the next two years.
Lang, a law graduate and member of the non-profit Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, designed the tool to separate credible emission strategies from “greenwash.” He previously founded the Net Zero Tracker in 2019 to analyze pledges from nations, cities, and companies.
Global Energy Shifts and Economic Volatility
Data indicates an uneven but significant transition in global energy. Solar capacity has exceeded 2015 forecasts by approximately 1,500%, and electric vehicles accounted for 20% of new global car sales in 2024.
China’s solar power industry grew by 45% last year, more than the rest of the world combined. However, emissions from petrochemicals are increasing due to rising plastic production.
The United States presents a complex landscape. While more coal-fired plants have closed under Donald Trump than under any other president, clean energy investment plummeted following the repeal of nearly US$550 billion in government funding.
The Net Zero Distinction
Lang emphasizes the distinction between “net zero”—cutting emissions as far as possible and counterbalancing the remainder with durable removals—and “carbon neutral,” which often relies on carbon credits.
He argues that carbon credits are often unreliable, noting that planted trees used for offsets can be destroyed by fire, such as in California, after the emissions have already been counted.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, CO2 emissions must reach net zero by the early 2050s to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
New Zealand’s Climate Performance
New Zealand’s climate trajectory contrasts with other developed nations. Between 1990 and 2022, the UK halved its emissions while its economy grew by 79%.
In contrast, New Zealand’s emissions have increased by 9% since 1990. The country is projected to face a shortfall of 84 million tonnes against its 2021-2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
This trend led New Zealand to receive the “Fossil of the Day” award at the COP30 summit for weakening methane policies. This marks the fourth time the nation has received the award in five years.
Despite these challenges, modelling suggests New Zealand could avoid more than $3 billion per year in fossil fuel imports by the early 2030s, potentially rising to $10 billion per year by the early 2040s through electrification.
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