Charles Darwin’s grave painted with dire environmental warning: ‘1.5 is dead’

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🗞️ Driving the news: Two Just Stop Oil activists painted Charles Darwin's grave in Westminster Abbey with the words "1.5 is dead," highlighting the recent breach of the 1.5°C global warming threshold
• The action calls for the UK government to phase out fossil fuels by 2030, citing climate and biodiversity crises
• The activists used spray chalk, a non-toxic material, and were later arrested for alleged criminal damage

🔭 The context: In 2024, global temperatures exceeded the critical 1.5°C limit for the first time, marking the hottest year on record
• Scientists stress this threshold as a pivotal point beyond which ecosystems and human systems face severe challenges
• Just Stop Oil has a history of high-profile protests targeting cultural landmarks to raise awareness of the climate crisis

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Surpassing 1.5°C signals accelerating climate change impacts, including extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and ecological disruption
• The protest highlights the urgency of collective action to curb emissions and avoid long-term global warming

⏭️ What's next: The activists demand immediate government action to phase out fossil fuels, aligning with broader climate goals
• Continued direct actions by groups like Just Stop Oil are likely as frustration over inaction grows

💬 One quote: “Darwin would be turning in his grave to know we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction,” said the activists.

📈 One stat: 2024 was 1.6°C hotter than pre-industrial levels, breaching the critical 1.5°C threshold.

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