Blink:

I find it extremely alarming the number of people I communicate with tell me: “I do not follow the news anymore, it’s too depressing.” D’accord – Ukraine, Middle East, antisemitism, mass shootings, dysfunctional American politics, etc. However, I think everyone is too distracted, thus missing the major news story: climate overshoot!

Read On:

In English, what is climate overshoot? Climate change experts predict we will surpass the global threshold goal 1.5° Celsius established by the United Nations’ Paris climate agreement within this century to prevent irreversible climate damage. The Paris climate agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Warning: Experts have indicated overshooting the increase in global temperatures by half a degree would have serious environmental and societal consequences. Recently the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds published updated research detailing their concern if humanity continues to emit CO2 at current levels. Their research calculated   there is a high probability we will exhaust by the end of the decade our carbon budget (the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere) within the 1.5° C threshold established at international climate talks.

I do acknowledge news regarding the impact of higher global temperatures occasionally makes the headlines. Especially this past summer’s record temperatures which intensified weather events around the world – extreme wildfires, heat waves, and severe flooding. However, I am concerned whether numerous segments of humanity which are not directly impacted by these climate catastrophes truly understand the long-term ramifications planet earth is overheating. Fortunately, thanks to LinkedIn, the online platform I utilize to aggregate science-based information via special interest groups (e.g., environmental, sustainability), I am informed of the relevant facts regarding the climate crisis we are experiencing. An example would be an article I read last week. It detailed the accelerated rate (potentially by the end of the century) glaciers are melting in Switzerland and globally (Andes, Himalayas) which will negatively impact the agricultural sector, hydropower production, water reserves, as well as increase the risks of natural disasters (e.g., floods, landslides, and debris flows) wiping out homes and other infrastructure. Numerous projects have been launched by Switzerland to counter glaciers melting.

The good news: The Leeds study underscored the fact we are still deeply reliant on fossil fuels, thus injecting enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere each year. However, the study indicated it is unlikely, but not impossible, for humans to hit the lower temperature target set by the landmark 2015 Paris agreement. Humans still have a lot of power to limit warming due to the ongoing implementation of greenhouse emissions reduction solutions across all business sectors. The international group of research scientists believe we have a fifty per cent chance of staying within the 1.5 °C threshold established at the international climate talks. I am encouraged the conversation on climate change has expanded. Rather than focusing on limiting the end-of-century warming at 1.5°C, the real news is the environmental and societal risks associated with global temperatures peaking before that point – climate overshoot!

Opinions Welcomed!