We can forget the 1.5 degree C target – it isn’t going to happen.
I realize that stretch goals are important, but at some point, it becomes clear that a goal is unattainable. At that point, rather than risk demotivating people through disappointment, it’s best to reset expectations and attempt to establish an achievable stretch goal.
That’s where we’re at with climate change. With global emission hitting a record in 2022, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius just isn’t going to happen. According to the International Energy Agency emission grew 0.9% to 36.8 gigatons in 2022.
The largest emitter remained China followed by the U.S. But on a per capita basis there was a surprising emissions leader: Canada. The U.S. was second.