Global temperatures: World is struggling to keep global temperatures from rising. Global Carbon Project has warned of a disastrous future and states that global carbon emissions in 2022 are reaching record high levels with emissions at 40.6 billion tons, which is highest ever. World temperatures are already at 1.1°C above the post-industrial revolution levels. The goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement was to keep temperatures well below 2, preferably to 1.5°C.
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However, there is fear if emissions continue at the same rate, global temperatures may cross the 1.5°C limit in nine years, resulting in the most dangerous and irreversible effects of climate change.
Following are the key highlights of ‘Global Carbon Budget’ report:
Fossil fuels
In 2022, carbon emissions from fossil fuels are on course to rise by one percent from 2021. This is mainly driven by the increased use of oil by the aviation industry. Emissions in 2020 had declined by 5.4 percent from 2019 levels mainly due to the pandemic.
While CO2 emissions for 2022 are projected to decrease in China and in the European Union, they are set to increase in the United States and India.
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Carbon sinks decrease
Several patches of land and oceans act as carbon sinks, that absorb CO2, like forests. In the gone decade, 53 percent of CO2 was absorbed by such natural sinks. However, due to climate change, the absorption capacity of these natural sinks has reduced. The capacity of land sinks has gone down by 4 percent and of ocean sinks by 17 percent between 2012-2021.
Atmospheric CO2
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is likely to rise by 51 percent above pre-industrial levels in 2022.
Paris Agreement
The world is left with a limited capacity to emit more carbon. To simplify, this capacity can be called ‘carbon budget’. The carbon budget required to limit global warming to 1.5°C, 1.7°C and 2°C has reduced. If the 2022 emission levels persist, these levels will be crossed in 9 years, 18 years, and 30 years, respectively.
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