· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: In 2024, global climate trends indicate both deep alarm and cautious optimism
• 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2024 is projected to be even hotter, potentially surpassing the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels
• Despite these alarming trends, there is hope as global greenhouse gas emissions may peak this year, signaling a possible end to the fossil fuel era
🔭 The context: The record-breaking temperatures have led to extreme weather events worldwide, including heatwaves, wildfires, and heavy rain
• The warming oceans, a significant heat store, indicate an accelerating warming rate
• Meanwhile, COP28 discussions and technological advancements in clean energy provide a counterbalance to these alarming trends
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Crossing the 1.5°C threshold poses enormous dangers, including irreversible tipping points like the loss of polar ice sheets and collapse of major ocean currents
• The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is crucial for mitigating these risks and preventing catastrophic climate change
⏭️ What's next: The shift towards clean energy needs to accelerate to avoid catastrophic warming
• Although emissions may have peaked, they must be reduced by half by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement targets
• This shift requires massive global efforts in renewable energy adoption and phasing out fossil fuels
💬 One quote: "The task [to reduce emissions] is monumental, but possible" (Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute)
📈 One stat: In 2023, the world added 510 billion watts of renewable energy capacity, 50% more than in 2022
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