Way Off Track

The global economy slowed down when the Covid 19 pandemic hit. New greenhouse gas emissions fell during the pandemic lockdown. World leaders hoped it was a trend.

It wasn’t.

Greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere hit a new, record high last year, according to a new study from the World Meteorological Society. In fact, they increased at a FASTER rate last year than annual averages.

Which means — we’re way off track.

To keep global warming below a potentially catastrophic rise of 1.5 C, we need to cut GHG emissions in half by the end of this decade.

“We are nowhere near where science says we should be,” said Patricia Espinosa, who heads the U.N. climate office. A failure to act “will lead to a destabilized world and endless suffering.”

Annual carbon emissions have been rising steadily for years. When they slowed during the global pandemic, there was some hope. But carbon emissions are now rising again as the economy recovers. And GHG levels in the atmosphere are still rising — quickly.

“We are way off track,” said WMO chief Petteri Taalas. “We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life.”

World leaders are meeting for a two-week climate conference in Glasgow soon. The Glasgow climate conference — COP26 — comes at a crucial moment. This new study from WMO puts immense pressure on world leaders at COP26.

Carbon and methane emissions need to start to fall — not rise steadily — by 2030. Rising GHG levels in the atmosphere need to slow down. Right now.

The WMO report is “a stark, scientific message for…negotiators at COP26,” WMO chief Petteri Taalas said.

Carbon SINKS — like the Amazon — are starting to become carbon SOURCES now. Extreme weather events, connected to climate, are becoming everyday occurrences.

We are still way off track.

And running out of time.