We Can Fix Climate ChangeThe past 12 months have been extremely eventful in the climate space. For the first time ever, the world is over 1.5C warmer than preindustrial times (though this won’t last), emissions have climbed ever higher, and international negotiations perhaps reached their apex of ineffectiveness. But among all these negative headlines there are causes for optimism. Not enough to make the year anything other than a disaster, but enough to hold onto.
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Summary
In this comprehensive recap of 2024, Simon Clark highlights significant climate stories, reviews past predictions, and provides new forecasts for the coming year. The year was marked by unprecedented global average temperatures, reaching 1.12°C above pre-industrial levels, and record-high CO2 concentrations at 46.9 PPM. Despite minor fluctuations in emissions from the EU and the US, the overall trend remains concerning, with global carbon emissions projected to peak at 37.4 billion tons. Clark concludes with reflections on the year’s developments and a series of predictions for 2025, capturing both the urgency of the climate crisis and the potential for positive action through innovative technologies and community efforts.
Highlights
- 🌐 Record Temperatures: Global average temperatures reached 1.12°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
- 📈 CO2 Emissions Surge: CO2 concentrations hit a record high of 46.9 PPM, with energy-related emissions projected to peak at 37.4 billion tons.
- 🌪️ Intensified Climate Disasters: Major natural disasters, including heatwaves and flooding, were exacerbated by climate change this year.
- 🌊 Coral Bleaching Crisis: A historic coral bleaching event affected 77% of the Earth’s coral areas due to severe marine heatwaves.
- ⚡ Renewable Energy Milestone: More than 30% of global electricity came from renewable sources, marking a significant shift in energy production.
- 🏛️ Ineffective COP Negotiations: International climate negotiations ended in disarray, with inadequate resolutions on critical issues like climate finance.
- 🔮 2025 Predictions: The narrator forecasts a potential decline in global temperatures, ongoing challenges in U.S. climate policy under Trump, and significant developments in renewable energy.
