This is it.
The earth’s warming is set to breach the one degree Celsius threshold in 2015. This frightening statement comes to us from the UK’s Meteorological Office. The world would then be halfway towards two degrees C, the gateway to dangerous warming.Fourteen of the last 15 years have been the hottest in recorded history, and 2015 is not just breaking records, but smashing them.
The new data is certain to add urgency to political negotiations in Paris later this month aimed at securing a new global climate treaty.
So far 150 nations have pledged to “do something” about climate change. It won’t be easy. Limiting warming to two degrees Celsius, to avoid the most dangerous effect of climate change, will require big changes on multiple fronts: a meaningful price on carbon pollution, greater efficiency in use, faster growth of renewables, reduction in deforestation, and improvements inland use.
The moment is upon us, we must act, every one of us to ensure a future for our children.
Dona Grace-Campbell, Kaslo
