Current:Home > InvestThese 4 charts explain why the stakes are so high at the U.N. climate summit-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
These 4 charts explain why the stakes are so high at the U.N. climate summit
View Date:2025-01-13 22:29:12
Leaders from around the world are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, to hammer out new pledges to fight climate change. The stakes are high. Scientists warn that heat-trapping emissions must fall dramatically by 2030. Otherwise, the world faces more extreme hurricanes, floods and droughts, likely displacing millions of people. Still, negotiations at the COP26 meeting are expected to be tough. Here are four reasons why.
#1 The world is not on track to avoid extreme climate change
Countries have already made pledges to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by moving away from burning fossil fuels. But added together, those pledges don't reduce emissions enough to avoid the worst damage from climate change. Current policies put the world on track for around 4.8 degrees of warming by 2100, compared with global average temperatures in the mid-19th century.
Globally, the goal is to limit warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, which scientists say is a crucial difference. The world would still experience worsening heat waves and storms, but not as intense and dangerous. Coral reefs would have a shot at avoiding a massive die-off. But to achieve that, emissions need to fall about 45% by 2030, compared with 2010 levels. That means countries will need to commit to far more ambitious goals.
#2 Wealthiest nations contribute the most to climate change
The global goal is to reduce emissions, but questions remain about which countries should enact most of the reductions. Developing countries contribute a small fraction of the emissions from cars and power plants. But they're enduring some of the worst damage from climate change, like island nations that face being erased by sea level rise.
The United Nations is calling on countries to be carbon neutral by 2050, which means if a country is still emitting greenhouse gas emissions, they're being absorbed by forests or other means to keep them from entering the atmosphere. The world's largest climate polluter, China, has committed to becoming carbon neutral only by 2060. The country plans to have emissions rise until 2030.
#3 U.S. bears the biggest historic responsibility for climate change
China holds the top spot for highest emissions currently, but history matters. Once emitted, carbon dioxide can last in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, trapping heat that raises global temperatures. That means emissions from burning fossil fuels over the past 150 years are responsible for the warming happening today. Over that period, the U.S. has cumulatively emitted the most of any country.
The U.S has committed to a 50% to 52% reduction in emissions by 2030, which would come about through a significant shift to renewable energy and electric cars. Some environmental groups say that falls short of the U.S.'s fair share. Even a 50% cut depends heavily on policies that Congress is currently hashing out in a budget deal. If an agreement isn't reached, the U.S. will arrive at COP26 without a credible path to achieve its emission goals, potentially hurting the negotiations.
#4 Wealthier nations are falling short on promises for climate change funding
With hundreds of millions of people vulnerable to extreme weather like severe storms and droughts, developing countries secured a promise for $100 billion in climate finance annually from developed nations. The funding goes to projects like sustainable transportation and renewable energy, as well as helping communities prepare for more extreme events. Still, as of 2019, developed countries are still below the goal, which will be a point of contention in the COP26 negotiations.
veryGood! (9843)
Related
- Record-setting dry conditions threaten more US wildfires, drinking water supplies
- Defending champion Novak Djokovic is shocked at the US Open one night after Carlos Alcaraz’s loss
- Michigan Supreme Court says businesses can’t get state compensation over pandemic closures
- Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge shows price pressures easing as rate cuts near
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Memphis City Council sues to reinstate gun control measures on November ballot
- Korban Best, known for his dancing, sprints to silver in Paralympic debut
- Poland eases abortion access with new guidelines for doctors under a restrictive law
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- Move over, Tolkien: Brandon Sanderson is rapidly becoming the face of modern fantasy
Ranking
- Climate Advocacy Groups Say They’re Ready for Trump 2.0
- First look at 'Jurassic World Rebirth': See new cast Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey
- Here's why pickles are better for your health than you might think
- Contract security officers leave jail in Atlanta after nonpayment of contract
- Mississippi man charged with shooting 5 people after not being allowed into party
- A former slave taught Jack Daniel to make whiskey. Now his company is retreating from DEI.
- Lea Michele Gives First Look at Baby Daughter Emery
- Target's viral Lewis the Pumpkin Ghoul is sneaking into stores, but won't likely lurk long
Recommendation
-
Tom Brady Admits He Screwed Up as a Dad to Kids With Bridget Moynahan and Gisele Bündchen
-
Family of man killed by SUV on interstate after being shocked by a Taser reaches $5M settlement
-
New Grant Will Further Research to Identify and Generate Biomass in California’s North San Joaquin Valley
-
Artem Chigvintsev Says Nikki Garcia Threw Shoes at Him in 911 Call Made Before Arrest
-
Review: 'Emilia Pérez' is the most wildly original film you'll see in 2024
-
What to watch: Not today, Satan! (Not you either, Sauron.)
-
Arizona office worker found dead in a cubicle 4 days after last scanning in
-
Top Brazilian judge orders suspension of X platform in Brazil amid feud with Musk