Rising Temperature, Ticking Time, Running in Circles.

The template is to limit the global temperature decrease at 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. The statement rings the loudest bells in everyone’s minds

The plan is to limit temperature increase at 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. The statement rings the loudest bells in everyone’s minds when they stumble across posts or articles on social platforms that discuss global warming, climate crisis, and environmental issues. The commitment to limit global temperature not rise below 2°C transpired in 2015 United Nations Climate Conference, universally known as The Paris Agreement. It was a major stepping stone to combating climate change and widely praised for the ‘bravery’ of signatory countries to curb their rapacious, harmful actions that generate greenhouse gas emissions.  

Despite the seemingly comprehensive and ambitious climate agreement signed by hundreds of world leaders, Michael E. Mann, one of contributing authors of 2001 IPCC’s report, has said, “We have zero years left to avoid dangerous climate change, because it’s here.” His statement is supported by publicized words from scientists and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the global temperature has increased 1.1°C higher compared to pre-industrial level.  The little difference in number brings numerous raised hands from the people, what difference can 0.5°C make? And the answer is everything. The number may appear small, trivial, the consequences it brings are tremendous, innumerable. Zero point five brings heat waves to drag longer across the countries, worsening clean water scarcity, more unpredictable climate patterns, and natural disasters. Significant difference of 0.5°C. Credit: Rosamund Pearce at Carbon Brief. Not only will it affect people profoundly and leave multidimensional socio-economic problems, the Earth’s massive and rich biodiversity is threatened to exponentially deteriorate, endangered animals edge to the brink of extinction, rising sea levels; these impacts bring a myriad of impacts that put people’s lives at stake. 

These are what the zero point five brings to humanity, there will be more impacts that befall upon those who do not commit treason against the Earth. Time is ticking and we are running, but in circles. The legally binding agreement provides a clear outline, encourages monitoring, report, accountability for developed and developing countries, as well as a gentle pat in the back to appease environmentalists and social activists all around the globe. And in theory, the agreement was a masterpiece. In practice, it is still a work in excruciatingly slow progress. Moreover, the actions taken by global leaders since the genesis of the agreement have only been placing the world on the track to warm above 3°C.  

The world needs more than conferences, meaningless commitments of global leaders, and climate deadlines that are constantly postponed. The world needs real, tangible, and sustainable commitment to survive. The debate of achievability is way overdue and gives out a sense of flexibility to those responsible to prolong the exploitation of natural resources. The time has come where the words of scientists and climate activists no longer remind us of what will happen, but the manifestation of the consequences will. 

References: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/09/world/global-climate-change-report-un-ipcc/index.html https://www.carbonbrief.org/scientists-compare-climate-change-impacts-at-1-5c-and-2c/  https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement