The IPCC report gives cause for optimism, I think, in two ways.
- Delegates from all 195 national governments signed off on the report. So we now know that every national government in the world at least UNDERSTANDS how serious cc is, and that rapid, global reductions in ghg emissions is essential, ultimately getting to at least net zero.
- The report outlines some very different projections for average global temperature rise, depending on how quickly and how much we reduce ghg emissions. The lower projections are (to me) surprisingly low – average global temperature only rising to slightly above +1.5°C and then falling as a consequence of net reduction of CO2 levels due to massive CO2 removal. Now I realise that this lowest projection is going to take an enormous, concerted effort that we are not at all close to currently, and that massive CO2 removal is dependent on as yet unscaled technology (unless one believes that tree-planting/ rewilding can do this, which is questionable) BUT it does show what is possible if we get our act together. We COULD keep the rise to “not too bad”. We COULD avoid tipping points (feedback loops). We COULD leave a world to our successors (and currently living young people) that is eminently liveable. We COULD be decent custodians of the planet for the future.
On the other hand, the worst projections are horrendous. So let’s make the right choice. And let’s make our leaders make the right choice. Accept nothing less. 🌐
David Stakes 