Why 1.5ºC is a big deal
Higher temperatures worsen droughts, wipe out crops and cause flash flooding. Winter storms and Summer heatwaves become more extreme and threaten more lives. The list goes on. Exceeding 1.5ºC global average warming makes these repercussions significantly worse and throws natural systems off balance, permanently, impacting millions of lives and devastating livelihoods.
Deeds, not words
In the 2016, nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pledged to limit their emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050. Despite the promises, it’s not happening fast enough. We only have a few years left before global warming reaches 1.5ºC, and based on the current lack of speed in moving to net zero, in all probability we will exceed this global red line by the end of the decade.
It’s an average, not a limit
The average temperature rise is a general indicator of where our natural systems reach a dangerous turning point. However, global warming is not a uniform process and some areas are warming much faster than others. The climate crisis does not begin at 1.5ºC, neither does the world end when we exceed it. But we want to act while we still have the chance and keep the emergency from becoming a catastrophe.
Take the next step
Most of the solutions already exist; what’s really needed is more people to join in right now. Changes in personal behaviour make a difference but collective action makes a much bigger difference. Local community action addresses carbon consequences faster if more people join the climate-related initiatives that also help strengthen their local communities and make better places to live. For ideas and inspiration about what you can do next in your local area, explore our community actions:
