Sunday, 14 November 2021

Perhaps I'm a Bit Thick?

There has been diverse comment on whether Cop26 and its 'watered down' final statement, brings the world any closer to avoiding the full ravages of the climate crisis (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2021/nov/14/cop26-live-leaders-hail-glasgow-climate-pact-but-activists-say-summit-failed). The mantra 'Keep 1.5 alive' has featured repeatedly. This is inspite of the fact that, given the undertakings (nevermind, the actual actions), we are not even on course to achieve this limited ambition. What I don't understand is that, why would anyone think that 1.5C above pre-industrial levels of heating is going to be 'safe'? The planet's mean temperature is currently just under 1.2C above pre-industrial levels (https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature). 2021 has seen droughts, extreme heat, floods, icecap/permafrost melting and wildfires, in many parts of the globe. This seems to me to be climate change! Why would anyone think that an extra 0.3C on top of current levels, is going to be the planet's salvation?
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