The agreement aims to limit long-term global warming to a level that avoids major climate impacts, including ecosystem loss. One or two years that pop over the 1.5 degrees Celsius level don’t constitute failure.
However, the world is getting closer to the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming level due to our continuing high greenhouse gas emissions. The forecast of a probable year that exceeds that level should serve as a warning.
YET ANOTHER SIGN OF HUMANITY’S DAMAGE TO THE CLIMATE
Past inaction on reducing emissions and tackling climate change means we have already warmed the world by more than 1.2 degrees Celsius. Global emissions remain at near-record high levels, so we are continuing to intensify the greenhouse effect and warm the planet.
If we are to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, then we must act so future generations don’t suffer a much less hospitable planet.
We have understood the solution for decades. We must reduce emissions to net zero to stop warming Earth. Countries such as Australia, with high historical emissions, have a leading role to play by decarbonising electricity supply and ramping down coal, oil and gas production in line with goals laid out by the United Nations.
Failure to act should not be considered an option. Otherwise, we are locking in more record hot years and much worse climate change impacts for decades and centuries to come.
Andrew King is Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at the University of Melbourne. This commentary first appeared on The Conversation.
