· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Japan Times or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The scientists who coined the term "net zero" in 2009 warn that nations are misusing the concept due to flawed carbon accounting
• A new paper reveals that treating all carbon emissions as equal—whether stored in forests or underground—ignores fundamental differences in the carbon cycle
• This miscalculation could undermine efforts to meet climate targets, such as limiting warming to 1.5°C
🔭 The context: Natural processes like forests and oceans absorb past emissions but cannot also offset future fossil fuel emissions
• This double counting has led countries to claim credit for natural absorption while continuing to emit
• The study calls for a shift to "geological net zero," where carbon is permanently stored underground, not just absorbed temporarily by nature
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Misusing natural carbon absorption risks worsening climate change, especially as ecosystems like forests are increasingly unstable due to wildfires and extreme heat
• True "net zero" requires reducing fossil fuel use and permanently storing carbon, rather than relying on nature's finite capacity
⏭️ What's next: Governments must separate natural and industrial carbon ledgers to prevent double counting and set uniform standards for "managed land"
• Rich nations bear responsibility for funding both carbon sequestration and conservation of natural carbon sinks
• Without reforms, climate targets may be further out of reach
💬 One quote: "Achieving ‘net zero’ no longer means what we meant by it.” – Myles Allen, University of Oxford professor and co-author of the study
📈 One stat: In 2023, the hottest year on record, trees and land absorbed virtually no carbon, highlighting the risks of relying on natural systems
Click for more news covering the latest on net zero
