Global Fossil Fuel Emissions Climb, Threatening Climate Goals
DUBAI, UAE – November 10, 2023 – A critical juncture in the fight against climate change has arrived as new data reveals a resurgence in global fossil fuel emissions, jeopardizing international efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The findings, presented at the COP28 climate summit, underscore a stark paradox: despite unprecedented technological advancements offering pathways to decarbonization, the world remains on a trajectory toward possibly catastrophic temperature increases.
The dilemma,as articulated by Dr. Bill Hare of the Climate Action Tracker team, is ”diabolical.” While the chance exists to accelerate the transition to clean energy and capitalize on emerging technologies, a failure to act decisively could lock in decades of reliance on fossil fuels – specifically gas and oil – and propel the planet toward 2.5C or even 3C of warming. This escalation would trigger more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and widespread ecological damage, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations worldwide.
Dr. Hare emphasized the unprecedented nature of the current situation, stating, “It’s very clear that we have never had a better chance to do this. It’s also clear that we’ve never been in a worse situation.” The outcome of COP28, therefore, is pivotal. A commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and scaling up renewable energy sources is essential to avert the moast severe consequences of climate change, but a lack of ambition could cement a hazardous future.
