UN Report Warns of Exceeding 1.5°C Global Warming, Highlights Geoengineering Risks
A new United Nations report indicates that the world is on track to overshoot 1.5°C of global warming due to insufficient actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This marks the first time a UN agency has unambiguously reported this trajectory. Climate scientist Prof. Andy Reisinger describes the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report as a wake-up call, emphasizing that while the 1.5°C goal remains, the current path necessitates accelerated efforts to reduce emissions. The report also brings to light the potential need for global agreements to manage the unintended consequences of geoengineering, which could pose significant problems for food production and human health. Prof. Bronwyn Hayward of the University of Canterbury highlights that favored net-zero policies, such as tree planting, may not be effective in a world exceeding 1.5°C of warming, where events like fires are more frequent. The report underscores the importance of social trust, inclusive decision-making, Indigenous leadership, and local ...
