“But note the uncertainty.”
The authors of the study point out there are uncertainties built into the modelling.
The next eight years, to 2030, are critical.
But we’re still going in the wrong direction.
The study suggests carbon dioxide emissions will rise 6% to 13% higher than 2010 levels by 2030.
Failing Paris
In the context of the Paris Agreement, the results are discouraging but not hopeless.
They provide yet another damning indictment on the pledges made by the 193 nations party to the Paris Agreement.
Theagreementstates those parties should attempt to keep “well below” 2 degrees of warming.
It also states nations should pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees.
Pitman noted that it’s “basically wishful thinking and/or gambling with the planet’s future.”
Recent IPCC reports onthe scienceandimpacts of climate changeshow that warming of more than 1.5 degrees could be catastrophic.
It would increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, threaten Pacific Island nations and jeopardize food security.
There is some cause for optimism.
