Climate Projections
If humankind continues its current fossil fuel use the world is heading for a 4-5°C temperature rise by 2100. This will devastate the planet. The UNs Emissions Gap Report provides an urgent warning that we must limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and for this to be possible global emissions must drop rapidly to 25 gigatons a year by 2030. To do this we must reduce global emissions by 7.6 percent every year for next decade. Every year we delay makes it harder and harder to meet a 1.5°C target. We will miss our last opportunity to save ourselves and our beautiful planet.
We have the technology and policy knowledge to transform our global behaviour but we must act now. The G20 Nations account for 78 per cent of all emissions, but 15 G20 members have not committed to a timeline for net-zero emissions, including Australia. Current governmental plans for fossil fuel production fall far short of the required targets.
Governments are planning to produce about 50% more fossil fuels by 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 2°C and 120% more than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.
Australia is a major fossil fuel producer. We are the worlds leading exporter of coal and recently became the largest exporter of natural gas. Our government supports increased fossil fuel production through tax based subsidies of AUD 12 billion per year and various policies that allow expansion of the coal and gas industries.
2020 is a critical year for climate action, with the UN climate change conference in Glasgow aiming to determine the future course of efforts to avert crisis. Every country must significantly step up their climate commitments, including Australia.
references
https://newclimate.org/2019/11/26/emissions-gap-report-2019/