What Does the 1.5°C Temperature Increase Refer to in Climate Change?

Climate change is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the world today. It is caused by a variety of human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the earth’s temperature to rise.

One of the key goals of the Paris Agreement, a global agreement on climate change, is to limit the increase in global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, many people wonder: 1.5°C above what? In this article, we will explore what 1.5°C refers to and why it is an important goal.

The pre-industrial era

To understand what the 1.5°C temperature increase refers to, we need to define what is meant by “pre-industrial levels”. The term refers to the period before the Industrial Revolution, which began in the mid-1800s and marked a significant change in the way people lived and worked. Before this time, human activities had a relatively small impact on the environment, and the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere was relatively stable.
To determine what the temperature was during the pre-industrial era, scientists use a variety of methods, including ice core samples, tree rings, and historical records. Based on these sources, they estimate that the global average temperature during the pre-industrial era was about 0.8°C to 1.2°C lower than the temperature in the late 19th century, which is often used as a reference period.

The importance of the 1.5°C goal

The 1.5°C temperature increase target is important because it represents a threshold above which the impacts of climate change are expected to become much more severe. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels could significantly reduce the risks of sea level rise, heat waves, droughts and other climate-related impacts.

In addition, the 1.5°C goal is considered more ambitious than the previous goal of limiting temperature increases to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This is because even a small increase in temperature can have significant impacts on the environment and human societies. For example, a temperature increase of 1.5°C could lead to the loss of coral reefs, which provide habitat for many marine species, as well as increased water scarcity and food insecurity in many parts of the world.

The challenges of meeting the 1.5°C target

While the 1.5°C goal is important, achieving it will not be easy. It will require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and changes in the way we live and work. According to the IPCC, limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C would require global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to be halved by 2030 and to reach net zero by around 2050.

Achieving these goals will require rapid and far-reaching changes in many sectors, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry. It will also require international cooperation and coordination, as well as significant investments in clean energy technologies such as wind, solar, and geothermal.

Conclusion

The 1.5°C temperature increase target is a critical threshold in the fight against climate change. It represents a level of warming beyond which the impacts of climate change are expected to be much more severe. Meeting this target will be challenging, but it is essential if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. By taking action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can help limit temperature rise and build a healthier, more resilient planet.

FAQs

What does the 1.5°C temperature increase refer to?

The 1.5°C temperature increase refers to the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels. Pre-industrial levels are typically defined as the period before the Industrial Revolution, which began in the mid-18th century.

Why is the 1.5°C target an important one?

The 1.5°C target is an important one because it represents a threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change are expected to become much more severe. Limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels could significantly reduce the risks of sea level rise, heat waves, droughts, and other climate-related impacts.

What are some of the impacts of a 1.5°C temperature increase?

A 1.5°C temperature increase could lead to the loss of coral reefs, which provide habitat for many marine species, as well as increased water scarcity and food insecurity in many parts of the world. It could also cause more frequent and intense heat waves, storms, and other extreme weather events.

What are the challenges of meeting the 1.5°C target?

Meeting the 1.5°C target will require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as changes in the way we live and work. According to the IPCC, to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C, global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to be halved by 2030 and reach net-zero by around 2050. Achieving these targets will require rapid and far-reaching changes in many sectors, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry.

What is the difference between the 1.5°C and 2°C temperature increase targets?

The 1.5°C target is seen as a more ambitious goal than the previous target of limiting temperature increases to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This is because even a small increase in temperature can have significant impacts on the environment and human societies. For example, a 1.5°C temperature increase could lead to the loss of coral reefs, while a 2°C temperature increase could lead to more significant risks of sea level rise and other climate-related impacts.

How can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the 1.5°C target?

To meet the 1.5°C target, we will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power. We will also need to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and promote sustainable land use practices. In addition, we will need to change the way we live and work, by adopting low-carbon lifestyles and investing in sustainable infrastructure and transportation systems.