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The Paris Climate Pact Is in Effect, but It’s Not Enough
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602804/the-paris-climate-pact-is-in-effect-but-its-not-enough/[font face=Serif][font size=5]The Paris Climate Pact Is in Effect, but It’s Not Enough[/font]
[font size=4]Emissions goals put forth by most nations will come up short of saving the planet, unless governments double down on their commitments.[/font]
by Jamie Condliffe | November 4, 2016
[font size=3]Less than a year after its inception, the Paris climate change agreement is officially in force—but the United Nations has warned that governments must dramatically reduce carbon emissions to meet its goals.
The agreement, drawn up last December, was formally ratified by enough nation-states last month. As of November 4, it’s binding for the countries that decided to sign up, which includes the U.S., China, and the members of the EU. Those countries must now endeavor to reduce their fossil-fuel use in order to limit average global temperature rises to less than 2 °C above preindustrial levels.
…
In fact, a new UN report warns that the emissions pledges put forward by the countries to date don’t go far enough. It suggests that the emissions targets between now and 2030 will actually put the world on track to warm 3.4 °C by 2100. The report says that a further 25 percent reduction in emissions will be required to keep warming below 2 °C.
If officials seek a visceral reminder of how big an impact carbon dioxide emissions have on the planet, they have one in the shape of a new study published in Science about the impact of the gas on Arctic ice. Calculations suggest that three square meters of ice are lost for every ton of carbon dioxide emitted. That means the addition of another 1,000 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere—about the amount that can be emitted before temperature rises exceed 2 °C—would render the Arctic ice-free during the summer.
…[/font][/font]
[font size=4]Emissions goals put forth by most nations will come up short of saving the planet, unless governments double down on their commitments.[/font]
by Jamie Condliffe | November 4, 2016
[font size=3]Less than a year after its inception, the Paris climate change agreement is officially in force—but the United Nations has warned that governments must dramatically reduce carbon emissions to meet its goals.
The agreement, drawn up last December, was formally ratified by enough nation-states last month. As of November 4, it’s binding for the countries that decided to sign up, which includes the U.S., China, and the members of the EU. Those countries must now endeavor to reduce their fossil-fuel use in order to limit average global temperature rises to less than 2 °C above preindustrial levels.
…
In fact, a new UN report warns that the emissions pledges put forward by the countries to date don’t go far enough. It suggests that the emissions targets between now and 2030 will actually put the world on track to warm 3.4 °C by 2100. The report says that a further 25 percent reduction in emissions will be required to keep warming below 2 °C.
If officials seek a visceral reminder of how big an impact carbon dioxide emissions have on the planet, they have one in the shape of a new study published in Science about the impact of the gas on Arctic ice. Calculations suggest that three square meters of ice are lost for every ton of carbon dioxide emitted. That means the addition of another 1,000 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere—about the amount that can be emitted before temperature rises exceed 2 °C—would render the Arctic ice-free during the summer.
…[/font][/font]