Mar 11, 2024
1.5°C Target and Climate Change
What is the 1.5°C target?
The 1.5°C target is a global goal set under the Paris Agreement to limit the average global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It aims to significantly reduce the risks and impacts associated with climate change.
Why was the 1.5°C target set?
The target was established to minimize the severe effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and biodiversity loss. Limiting warming to this threshold is considered crucial for protecting ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods.
Is the 1.5°C target scientifically based?
While the 1.5°C target is grounded in scientific research indicating the benefits of limiting warming to this level, the specific target was politically negotiated during the COP21 Paris climate conference. It serves as a critical, though not absolute, threshold for global climate action.
Have we already crossed the 1.5°C threshold?
In 2023, global surface temperatures temporarily exceeded the 1.5°C mark, largely due to the combined effects of human-induced global warming and natural phenomena like El Niño. However, this does not mean the target has been permanently surpassed.
What happens if we exceed the 1.5°C target?
Crossing the 1.5°C threshold is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme weather events, posing challenges to ecosystems, human settlements, and the ability to adapt. However, surpassing this limit temporarily does not eliminate the benefits of continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Can we still achieve the 1.5°C target?
Achieving the 1.5°C target remains possible with rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban, and industrial systems, including significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The window for action is narrowing, and global efforts must intensify to remain within this limit.
How does El Niño affect global temperatures?
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that leads to temporary increases in global temperatures by causing the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean to become unusually warm. It can enhance the warming effect of human-induced climate change, contributing to record-breaking temperatures.
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