The amount of baked-in global warming, from carbon pollution already in the air, is enough to blow past international agreed upon goals to limit climate change, a new study finds. But it’s...

For decades, scientists have talked about so-called “committed warming” or the increase in future temperature based on past carbon dioxide emissions that stay in the atmosphere for well over a century. It’s like the distance a speeding car travels after the brakes are applied.

But Monday’s study in the journal Nature Climate Change calculates that a bit differently and now figures the carbon pollution already put in the air will push global temperatures to about 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming since pre-industrial times.

Previous estimates, including those accepted by international science panels, were about a degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) less than that amount of committed warming.

But it’s not game over because, while that amount of warming may be inevitable, it can be delayed for centuries if the world quickly stops emitting extra greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, the study’s authors say.

  • CoralMarks [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    But it’s not game over because, while that amount of warming may be inevitable, it can be delayed for centuries if the world quickly stops emitting extra greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, the study’s authors say.

    Cute

    Edit: Let me give you a concrete example of why I think this is insanely naive, even if a country seemingly wants to do something they always will try to find compromises with those companies running the coal plants. Take Germany, they wanted to phase out coal power plants and what did they do, the government(obv. part of that government were our SocDems) reached a compromise with energy companies which basically comes down to paying billions of Euros to them so that they can power these plants down early by 2038. Yes, you read correctly, 2038.

    We are fucked.

    • zangorn [none/use name]
      1·
      4 years ago

      This was essentially my response too. I was going to ask, is it helpful that all these climate predictions end with a glimmer of hope? “It’s still not too late. Warming can be reversed if we immediately cease all automobile transportation and electricity production globally.” How about the articles instead end with ideas for how our lifestyles are going to have to change given the changing climate?

      • CoralMarks [he/him]
        1·
        4 years ago

        I think you are making a very good point there.

        At this stage, where it is very clear that we will face global climate disaster because capitalism is inherently incapable of solving this problem and a global socialist revolution is pure fantasy, it would probably be better to change the narrative more towards climate realism.

      • Sealand_macronation [none/use name]
        ·
        4 years ago

        How about the articles instead end with ideas for how our lifestyles are going to have to change given the changing climate?

        read this is a Karen voice

    • WoofWoof91 [comrade/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Doesn't Germany also burn especially "dirty" coal?

      Edit: Lignite was what i was looking for, and apparently due to it's low efficiency, it produces far more CO2 than normal coal