<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/big-cars-red-meat-household-gas-consumers-still-have-crucial-role-to-play-in-cutting-emissions/>
"In 2023-24, the global temperature was more than 1.5℃ higher than in 1940,
resulting in more than 10 record extreme weather events. The climate is now
hotter than any time in the 3 million years human ancestors have existed.
We are on a trajectory for 4 degrees temperature rise by 2100; it has not been
that hot since the Eocene epoch 35 million years ago.
To prevent a global temperature rise of more than 2℃ by 2040, carbon emissions
will have to be reduced by 50% by 2035. The world’s 1.8 billion high to upper
middle income people need to take responsibility for achieving 2/3 of this –
more than 30% of global emissions – by changing their high emitting consumption
habits.
Governments have been focused on emissions reduction targets and strategies for
industrial production sectors, which have so far not reduced emissions
globally. The crucial 50% emissions reduction is achievable, but only if strong
consumer-side policies are enacted.
The reason emissions will have to be halved quickly is that the Earth’s oceans
and biosphere can only assimilate about half of global carbon emissions, which
were 53 billion tCO2e in 2023.
Atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are now increasing at such a rate
that the climate will be at least 4℃ hotter than the 1950 – 80 temperature norm
by 2100. Furthermore, the greenhouse gases already in the air won’t just
disappear; 1/3 to 1/2 of every ton of fossil CO2 emitted will still be in the
air in 1000 years.
Household emissions account for 55% (Australia, goods only) to 72% of global
carbon. Here we assume an estimate of 64%, as we do not include commercial
services.
Only 50% of current global emissions from all consumption sectors – household,
government corporate and commercial – can be emitted if atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases are to stop rising. That means household
emissions must fall from 64% to 32% of global emissions."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
