The UK−based Carbon Tracker Initiative estimates that oil, coal and gas companies have five times as much carbon in their reserves as is safe to burn. If burned, our planet would heat up at by at least 5 to 6 degrees Celsius, well beyond the 2 degrees Celsius limit agreed to by the international community in 2009. As Bill McKibben explained, we can only burn 565 gigatons more carbon before going over the UN-sanctioned 2 degree upper limit for warming. The 2 degree concept was central to the “IPCC Second Assessment: Climate Change 1995” published by the International Panel on Climate Change. In 2002, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), incorporated the concept as the focus of its formal Framework Convention policy:
“ARTICLE 2. OBJECTIVE. stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.”
Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large
and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.
Limiting the average global surface temperature increase of 2°C over the pre-industrial average has, since the 1990s, been commonly regarded as an adequate means of avoiding dangerous climate change, in science and policy making. However, the temperature rise is already close to 1.4°C, and many believe a temperature rise of 4°C by 2060 is a likely outcome of a business as usual approach. given the record to date of inaction on climate, economic realities, and short window of time remaining for limiting the average surface temperature rise to 2°C or even 3°C. A 4°C rise would likely be an unstable state, leading to further increases in following decades regardless of mitigation measures that may be taken.
We must collectively understand that to avoid the most dangerous tipping points, fossil fuels must remain underground. At least one study indicates that we are nearing dangerous tipping points that will spell disaster.
© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
Related Articles
President Clinton on What People Need to Know about Renewable Energy
Fossil Fuels are the Most Hated Industry in the US
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Totaling One Trillion Per Year
Success of the #EndFossilFuelSubsidies Campaign
Rio+20: 350.org Campaign to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Obama Striving to Put an End to Oil Subsidies
Environmental Politics: Obama Versus the GOP
GOP Fights Removal of Oil Subsidies
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Obama’s Call for an End to Oil Subsidies
Tell the G20 to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Now
The G20 and the Transition to a Greener Economy
Reigning in Irresponsible Oil Giants Chevron
Canadians Disappointed with Conservatives
Scientists Urge Government Action on Climate Including Removing Oil Subsidies
4 Principles for Climate and Energy Legislation
Air and Water in the OECD Report
Independence Day: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels
