Human-induced global warming increasing by 0.26°C per decade: Report
Human-induced global warming increasing by 0.26°C per decade: Report Hindustan Times
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The second annual Indicators of Global Climate Change Report
By Jayashree Nandi
Jun 05, 2024 11:11 AM IST
The second annual Indicators of Global Climate Change Report, compiled by over 50 climate scientists under the supervision of the University of Leeds, highlights the increasing human-induced global warming. The report reveals that human-induced warming has risen to 1.19°C over the past decade (2014-2023), marking a significant increase from the previous decade’s figure of 1.14°C (2013-2022).
The report highlights that human activity has caused a warming of 1.3°C last year, with the total being 1.43°C above the average temperature between 1850 and 1900. The analysis also reveals that the remaining carbon budget, which represents the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted before committing to 1.5°C of global warming, is only around 200 gigatonnes. This is equivalent to approximately five years’ worth of current emissions.
In 2020, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C to be in the range of 300 to 900 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, with a central estimate of 500 gigatonnes. However, since then, CO2 emissions and global warming have continued, resulting in a reduced remaining carbon budget of 100 to 450 gigatonnes, with a central estimate of 200 gigatonnes.
Piers Forster, the director of the University of Leeds Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, emphasizes that their analysis demonstrates the ongoing increase in global warming caused by human activities, despite efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He states, “Global temperatures are still heading in the wrong direction and faster than ever before. Our analysis is designed to track the long-term trends caused by human activities.”
The report acknowledges that natural climate variability, particularly El Niño, has also contributed to the record temperatures observed in 2023. However, it emphasizes that the long-term trend of human-induced global warming remains the primary driver of rising temperatures.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The findings of this report align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Goal 13: Climate Action – The report highlights the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the increasing human-induced global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Addressing global warming requires a transition to clean and renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions.
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Reducing carbon emissions and staying within the remaining carbon budget necessitates responsible consumption and production practices.
The release of this report coincides with the Bonn Climate Conference, which aims to set the agenda for climate negotiations and discuss new finance goals to support climate action in developing countries. UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to prevent catastrophic levels of global heating. He states, “We are now headed for around 2.7 degrees. This is still ruinously high, and there’s a long and steep road ahead to get to our shared goal of 1.5 this century, but we should be energized that we are approaching a halfway point.”
Joeri Rogelj, a climate science and policy professor at Imperial College London, highlights the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas pollution over the next 5 to 10 years to prevent further warming. He states, “Global warming stands at 1.3°C; significantly lowering greenhouse gas pollution over the next 5 to 10 years is the only way to ensure that the planet is not warming by another quarter of a degree by 2035.”
Conclusion
The Indicators of Global Climate Change Report underscores the alarming increase in human-induced global warming, with temperatures rising at a rate of 0.26°C per decade. The findings emphasize the need for immediate and decisive climate action to mitigate the impacts of global warming and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is crucial for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize sustainable practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition to clean energy sources to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
- Target 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
The article discusses human-induced global warming, which is directly related to climate change. The targets mentioned above are relevant to addressing the issues highlighted in the article.
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
The article mentions the need to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which can be achieved by increasing the share of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. Therefore, these targets are relevant to the issues discussed.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | N/A |
| Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | N/A | |
| Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | N/A | |
| Target 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible | N/A | |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | N/A |
| Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | N/A |
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Fuente: hindustantimes.com
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