NewsWorld on brink as CO2 emissions near critical threshold, study warns

World on brink as CO2 emissions near critical threshold, study warns

The CO2 emissions trend remains unchanged.

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2:41 PM EDT, March 29, 2024

The researchers' urgent message in their study, featured in "Nature Climate Change," is unmistakable: to arrest the advance of global warming and keep the average global temperature rise below 2.7°F, we must significantly slash carbon dioxide emissions. They outline the critical emission threshold, cautioning that surpassing this limit could trigger dire climate repercussions for our planet.

Experts say there is a 50-percent chance of capping global warming at 2.7°F. The world can afford to emit no more than 275 billion tons of carbon dioxide. This stark warning is highlighted on sciencealert.com. Considering the current annual global CO2 emissions stand at 44 billion tons, simple math shows we have less than six years before hitting this cap.

The report's authors align their findings with an assessment from fifty top climate scientists in June, enriched by the latest climate insights from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shared in August 2021.

While zero carbon emissions might seem an ambitious goal, environmentalists argue it's compelling. Nonetheless, it's important to remember that CO2 isn't the sole villain; many other greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants also exacerbate climate change.

Future emission trajectories suggest a likely decrease in aerosol emissions, regardless of whether fossil fuels are phased out incrementally or CO2 emissions are further curbed. Even scenarios predicting a rise in CO2 emissions anticipate stricter air quality standards and cleaner combustion technologies.

Experts warn that time is running out to limit global warming to 2.7°F above pre-industrial levels. Despite revisiting the "budget" for CO2 emissions, the conclusions from previous analyses remain pertinent. They underscore that a marked decrease in greenhouse gas emissions is crucial—a viewpoint shared on sciencealert.com.

Who are the world's largest CO2 producers?

China is the world's top CO2 emitter, responsible for more than a quarter of global emissions. Its output significantly shapes worldwide emission metrics.

The United States ranks second, with its 18% share in global emissions, a significant figure given the country's economic and industrial magnitude.

India also plays a major role in global emissions. Owing to its large population, it remains a top emitter despite its relatively low per capita emissions.

At a global scale, Asia is the predominant emitter, responsible for 53% of global emissions. North America and Europe follow with 18% and 17%, respectively. The emission gap is stark: China, the United States, and India contribute 42.6% of total emissions, while the bottom 100 countries account for a mere 3.2%.