At the time of publishing this article, the Climate Clock marked: 5 years, 362 days. It is the estimated time remaining before the Earth reaches the dangerous threshold of 1.5 degrees of warming. The scientific community has been warning that, beyond that limit, the effects of climate change could get out of control.
It’s hotter than ever. In early July, the record for the hottest day in recorded history was broken. Glaciers are melting faster, half of the world’s largest lakes are drying up, and carbon dioxide emissions continue to grow. Today, due to human activity, the planet is 1.1°C hotter than before the Industrial Revolution.
The Climate Clock, a global initiative of activists and scientists, bases his estimate on research from the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change in Berlin. This, in turn, is based on data from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s most authoritative climate science body.
It is not an exact account. Calculate the time when humanity will produce enough carbon dioxide pollution to trigger 1.5°C of warming. This, based on the history, which is not encouraging. In 2022, they were issued in total 36.8 billion tons of polluting gases, another record.
To warn that there are less than six years left, the countdown was projected last Saturday in iconic places around the world. Among them, the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Activities were also held in New York, Egypt, India and 25 other countries.
The Climate Clock, in emblematic places
“We must take action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to zero as quickly as possible,” Natalie Unterstell, president of the Talanoa Institute and responsible for bringing the clock to Brazil, told EFE. “Time is getting shorter, while climate impacts are getting stronger,” added.
“Having less than six years to cut carbon emissions in half shows the urgency with which we need to act. There is no time to waste on vague promises and false solutions.
Natalie Unterstell.
To call attention to the problem, activist groups in India convened more than 7 thousand people to assemble 559 weather clocks. Last week, a summit of G20 energy ministers was held in this country. It was expected that a plan to reduce fossil fuels for these nations would be finalized during the meeting. However, the appointment ended without any result in this regard.
In New York, the Climate Clock can be seen ticking over the iconic Union Square. “The best day to have taken action was yesterday”, Becca Richie, global community manager for the organization Climate Clock, told The Verge. “But we are using the data to create a timeline that empowers governments and activists to demand change,”
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai. In this new climate summit, the commitments of the most polluting countries and their financial contribution to solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be reviewed.
