The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is scheduled to release its special report on the risks and benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, or 2.7°F, above preindustrial levels.
The report is expected to contain sobering findings of how difficult it will be to meet the 1.5-degree target, which is an aspirational goal contained in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Every country in the world — except the U.S. — intends to honor the 2015 agreement, and the report will help inform negotiators in the next round of climate talks, set for December.
- We are currently on track for global warming of between 2.7 to 3.7°C by 2100, according to Kelly Levin, a scientist with the nonpartisan World Resources Institute.
- To meet the 1.5-degree target, we’d need to reach net zero emissions by mid-century, and negative emissions thereafter, using carbon removal tech.
- Current emissions projections show the world is on track to increase emissions through 2030.
Some climate scientists are making clear that the 1.5-degree target, which is seen as low-lying island nations’ best hope for long-term survival, is effectively out of reach.
“Overall, the idea that we can limit warming to 1.5°C is so ridiculous that it doesn’t seem to even merit thinking about it.”
— Andrew Dessler, climate scientist at Texas A&M University
“It is technically feasible for me to fly to the moon in the next 10 years, but it is clearly not feasible in a broader sense. With 1.5°C it is potentially feasible from a technical perspective, but unless the political, social and technical aspects of feasibility are aligned, it is not going to happen.”
— Glen Peters, research director at the Center for International Climate Research in Norway
About the Author
Not sure where Julie is from but her world sounds rather grim. I'm 78, retired on a small monthly Social…
How did the poor, lost Eastern Shore folks ever make it before you people got here? I am quite sure…
Wow! You sound utterly helpless. Remember this, people with real wealth never mention their 'wealth'.
She is just as worthless as the hind tit on a boar-hog.
At first glance, you might think that wealthy retirees do not need services provided by the county, like schools. But…