4 ms·
Most countries had pledged to reach net zero by 2050, China at least said to reach net zero by 2060, with few exceptions. Of course, it must be achieved. But n
by gmuslera 5y ago
Most countries had pledged to reach net zero by 2050, China at least said to reach net zero by 2060, with few exceptions. Of course, it must be achieved.
But net-zero carbon emissions means that till that year, the GHG will keep accumulating, the carbon cycle is slow enough to not significantly reduce the amount that you have in the atmosphere for decades.
So the problem won't be solved that year, nor 10 years after that goal is achieved, but when GHG are finally below of pre-industrial levels (I don't know, near half of what is it now) so we lose more heat than what we keep.
All the way till that point, the global yearly average temperature should be rising. And extreme weather events will continue to pile up.
And, of course, net zero doesn't take into account the positive feedback loops that either emit more GHG or rise global temperature.
I feel a bit overoptimistic that article. Or that they try to push that solution tried by Hyderabad as a magic wand (or a cash cow).
- orwin 5y agoSo, the effect of all excess CO2 put in the atmosphere in 2050 will have an impact between 2065 and 2070 (roughly). The atmospheric CO2 "half life" is more than a 100 year. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2915/the-atmosphere-getting-a-handle-on-carbon-dioxide/ https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2915/the-atmosphere-getting-a-...
- zarzavat 5y agoPledges for things that will happen after a politician dies are even more meaningless than pledges made before an election. Zero value should be attached to them. The only thing that matters are actions that are happening now which is... not very much.
- gmuslera 5y agoIt is what we have. A president could discard all pledges as Trump demonstrated during his mandate. Maybe different kinds of governments, with less variation of ruling parties (China, Russia) or broad agreements in their political systems (EU?) may keep their promises in this topic.