Summary
The global goal to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C is now deemed “deader than a doornail,” with 2024 likely to surpass this threshold, marking the hottest year on record.
Despite agreements under the Paris accord, emissions continue to climb, pushing the world toward 2.7°C warming and increasing risks of catastrophic climate impacts.
Experts warn of nearing irreversible climate tipping points, such as ice sheet collapse and Amazon dieback.
While progress in clean energy offers hope, scientists emphasize urgent emission reductions, as every fraction of a degree matters to limit damage.
At least we got billionaires out of it, phew
Literally, this is a good point that I haven’t thought of.
Notice the increase since 2015, which is when the 1.5C target was introduced.
At best, the target was completely ignored by the people who are both causing the most damage, as well as have the easiest means to mitigate it. At worst (and most cynical) , these unenforced “targets” are just a means of creating new billionaires. Our regulatory agencies and governments have been captured by special interests, and it should be clear to everyone that asking nicely is not working.
We are about to drive this car off the cliff, and billionaires are pressing down harder on the gas. At some point, we are going to have to explain to our children why we doomed them by failing to break out the guillotines.