Current Affairs 13 November 2024
1.5°C Goal & Climate Crisis
Environment and Ecology
The climate crisis remains one of the world's most urgent challenges today. The Paris Agreement set a target to limit global warming to well below 2°C and ideally to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, recent trends show that the world is far from meeting this target. As leaders gather for the climate conference in Baku, the focus is on emission reductions, climate finance, and urgent actions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Unabated Rise in Emissions
Global carbon emissions reached 57.1 billion tonnes in 2023, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Emissions have risen consistently, except for a brief dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To meet the 1.5°C goal, emissions must peak by 2025 and then decline by at least 43% by 2030. Current trends, however, show that emissions are on track to fall far short of these targets, increasing the risk of severe climate impacts.
Why There's No Quick Relief
Greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, accumulate in the atmosphere for centuries. In 2023, CO2 concentrations reached 420 ppm, more than 150% higher than pre-industrial levels. Even if emissions were to peak and decline immediately, the warming effects would persist for decades due to the long lifespan of these pollutants. Methane and nitrous oxide, other potent greenhouse gases, have also reached record levels, exacerbating warming.
Missing the 1.5°C Target
In 2023, global temperatures were 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, the highest on record. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that global temperatures could breach the 1.5°C threshold within the next few years. The IPCC has called for a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030, but current projections show a mere 2.6% reduction, far from the necessary target. This gap underscores the urgency of stronger actions to avoid irreversible damage.
Way Forward
Accelerate Clean Energy Transition: Rapid shifts to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro are essential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut emissions.
Climate Finance: The upcoming Baku conference should finalize a climate finance agreement to support developing nations in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
Enhance Emission Reduction Commitments: Countries must revise their 2030 targets, aiming for more significant emission cuts to meet the 43% reduction goal.
Carbon Capture Technologies: Expanding carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can help remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, addressing emissions that are difficult to eliminate.
Focus on Methane Reduction: Reducing methane emissions, especially from the fossil fuel and agricultural sectors, can provide immediate climate benefits.
Conclusion
Achieving the 1.5°C target requires immediate, coordinated global action. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "The climate crisis is a code red for humanity." To avoid catastrophic consequences, nations must urgently commit to stronger climate policies, invest in green technologies, and ensure financial support for vulnerable countries. Without such efforts, the window to prevent irreversible climate damage will soon close.
Related Previous Year Questions
- Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (UPSC-2022)
- Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC-2021)
