Climate change target of 2C is ‘dead’, says renowned climate scientist
Climate change target of 2C is ‘dead’, says renowned climate scientist
Prof James Hansen says pace of global heating has been significantly underestimated, though other scientists disagree
Summary
Renowned climate scientist James Hansen warns that limiting global warming to 2°C is no longer possible due to underestimated climate sensitivity and reduced sun-blocking pollution from ships.
His study suggests warming could hit 2°C by 2045, increasing extreme weather and accelerating ice melt. The research challenges IPCC models, arguing for a higher climate sensitivity estimate.
Hansen calls for carbon taxes, nuclear energy, and geoengineering research.
He warns of an Atlantic ocean current collapse within 20-30 years.
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Some good news:
emission rates have plateaued; we are still destroying the planet, but no longer accelerating the rate at which we do it- Solar panels (unsubsidized) are the cheapest method of electricity generation as of 2022
- there is a fundamentally limited amount of fossil fuels, so as long as we don’t turn to Venus 2.0 by 2100 we will deplete most coal and oil and it will be possible for our ancestors to repair the planet over the following centuries.
Yeah I know even this “good news” is bleak, but it’s worth celebrating. There is some hope.
Are those emission rates per capita or absolute?
I saw it originally watching Simon Clark. Reviewing, it looks like the chart shown is actually a great example of a terrible graph; it uses 5 year periods then switches to 1 year periods without clear indication, making it look flatter than it would otherwise. If I adjust for this in a photo editor, emissions have barely slowed. I was misled, sorry for passing that on and thanks for questioning it.
Good on you to have integrity.
But yeah, that's what I gather, too, whenever I check. Nothing we do has an impact. I'm hoping the huge renewables push in China over the last few years might finally have an effect, but :(