A sobering report from the United Nations World Meteorological Organization, just prior to the Glasgow summit:
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a “stark, scientific message” for climate change negotiations at the upcoming UN climate conference, known as COP26, in Glasgow, said Petteri Taalas, head of the UN agency.
“At the current rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, we will see a temperature increase by the end of this century far in excess of the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels”, he explained. “We are way off track.” [snip]
Concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2020 was 149 per cent above the pre-industrial level; methane, 262 per cent; and nitrous oxide, 123 per cent, compared to the point when human activitity began to be a destabilizing factor.
And although the coronavirus-driven economic slowdown sparked a temporary decline in new emissions, it has had no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases or their growth rates.
As emissions continue, so too will rising global temperatures, the report maintained.
Moreover, given the long life of CO2, the current temperature level will persist for decades, even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero.
From intense heat and rainfall to sea-level rise and ocean acidification, rising temperatures will be accompanied by more weather extremes – all with far-reaching socioeconomic impacts.
How likely do you think it is that world governments (especially China and the United States of Manchin) will be able to muster the resolve and clear vision to improve on the inadequate goals of the Paris Agreement while there's still time? Yeah, we don't think so, either.
Ignorance, greed, and short- sighted self- interest win out every time. But don't worry. If the bastards responsible are still alive in 20 or 30 years, they'll have taken care of themselves and theirs.
(Photo: WMO/ Caio Greco)
