Global Future: Low-Carbon Economy or High-Carbon Economy?

This study critically examines the decarbonization of development in the context of the Anthropocene at the global level. A literature review is conducted that emphasizes the rationality of human beings to harmonize with the planet due to the low capacity of their human agency in the framework of the Anthropocene. The analysis recognizes that the possibility of transitioning to a decarbonized global economy or zero carbon emissions is not encouraging. Global energy production and CO2 emissions are concentrated in a dozen countries: China, United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, India, Australia, Indonesia, and Brazil. These countries are part of societies with an advanced social metabolism that negatively impacts the production of CO2. In context, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided some level of environmental health for the planet, but the CO2 reduction levels are still insufficient to consider a positive impact towards 2030.