Five Signs of Hope: How the World Is Moving Towards Limiting Global Warming
Many people may not care enough about climate change to do something about it, but there is hope. The German research institute _NewClimate _assures that several changes in behavior have occurred in the last decade, reflecting growing awareness and policy momentum. For example, reports like the Climate Change Performance Index reveal that while the world still faces major challenges in limiting global warming, many countries have made progress in adopting renewable energy and setting climate targets, even if more drastic changes are needed.
While global action remains insufficient so far to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement 2015, countries and sectors are increasingly focusing on policies, research, and actions that can reduce emissions. This progress is unfortunately uneven, and many governments are still not on track to meet the necessary targets. But for the authors of a recent study on social and technological progress in implementing the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, some trends give confidence that global warming can still be limited to 1.5ºC.
Climate Awareness The report states that before the Paris Agreement, awareness of the risks of global warming was limited. Since then, the issue has gained popularity and is discussed in all segments of society. In addition, the media is providing more information on climate issues, even as fake news has increased.
One consequence of this shift in consciousness is a steady increase in climate protests. In particular, young people involved in activist movements such as Fridays for Future, Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil and Letzte Generation are calling for immediate action. These calls are ultimately forcing politicians to respond.
And then there are the lawsuits against states and corporations, which are becoming increasingly frequent. The proponents of the lawsuits are demanding the implementation of national climate and environmental protection laws, and have been successful in several cases. As a result of a climate lawsuit in 2021, the German Supreme Court ordered the federal government to reduce emissions more rapidly by the year 2030.
At the same time, scientific studies on climate attribution help to understand the extent to which extreme weather events—and the damage they cause—can be associated with climate change.
Zero-Emissions Target Before the Paris Agreement was signed, the main focus was on reducing emissions. Today, there is general agreement that “all nations should have zero emissions,” according to the NewClimate Institute. The goal of achieving a climate-neutral economy is the new norm for nations, regions, and cities, including in the Global South – a significant step forward.
This zero emissions target shows there has been a “significant change”. Currently, national climate targets are quite ambitious and could contribute to slowing global warming in the medium term. These goals are not yet supported by sufficient action. Overall, however, it is clear that the world is moving in a much more promising direction than before the Paris Agreement.
Sustainable investments Global warming is now an increasingly risky business. Environmentally-friendly investments have become more attractive not only in economic terms, but also because companies are facing greater social pressure.
Many companies are disclosing their own climate risk, partly on their own initiative and partly in response to new regulations. According to the rating agency Standards and Poor, more than 70% of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the United States disclose their emissions. "While sustainable investing used to be a segment, it is now the norm in the financial world," the researchers conclude.
Expansion of Solar and Wind Energy Two decades ago, wind and solar energy were considerably more expensive, especially in the Global South, where they were often perceived as an unattainable and uncompetitive luxury. This has undergone a complete transformation; renewable energy has become the new standard. It is no longer a question of if, but when. At the same time, energy production from solar, wind, and biomass is becoming increasingly decentralized, enabling more adaptable models, including for domestic use.
Renewable energy is increasingly becoming the most cost-effective choice. Operating wind turbines and newly commissioned solar projects are currently 40 percent more cost-effective than fossil fuel installations. According to the analysis, the growth of solar energy has been much faster than expected globally. However, there are still barriers to expanding wind power in many places.
Electric Cars and Heating Electricity is becoming increasingly important in the transport and heating sectors. And unlike before 2015, the industry is now also involved in creating "models to prevent the release of CO2".
According to the European Heat Pump Market Statistics Report, heat pumps that use electricity are becoming the "key technology for the decarbonization" of building heating systems. There was 38% growth in Europe in 2022.
Global sales of electric vehicles have grown faster than anyone had predicted a decade ago. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2023, 18% of all new vehicles sold will have an electric motor. In some countries, it is already considered a market standard. All major automakers plan to make electric cars the norm in the coming years, and countries and regions such as the European Union, California, Canada, and Chile have already set dates for phasing out combustion engines in new vehicles.
To date, the growth in the number of electric vehicles has been mainly in developed countries and China. In these countries, the use of electric trucks and buses is increasing. However, the expansion of battery charging stations is lagging behind in many places, and in many countries.
And the lowest polluting forms of transportation, such as walking, biking, and public transit, have lots of room to grow in many parts of the world.
Finally, it is important to highlight that significantly greater efforts are needed globally to implement the climate agreement. However, in the face of major global challenges, we can “build on the many positive changes” that the world has already made to remain united in this fight.
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