TILclimate 2°C: the story of the global climate goal
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Jun 6, 2024 In this engaging discussion, Maria Ivanova, Director at Northeastern University and expert in international environmental policy, unpacks the pivotal 2-degree target established by the Paris Agreement. She explores its historical roots and significance, likening it to a speed limit for our planet's health. The conversation dives into the urgency of the 1.5-degree goal driven by the advocacy of small island nations and examines how international climate commitments propel renewable energy advancements. Ivanova highlights the complexities and challenges in gaining global cooperation.
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2°C as Climate Speed Limit
- The 2 degrees Celsius target is a temperature 'speed limit' to avoid dangerous global warming.
- It sets a clear boundary on the climate without prescribing how to slow warming down.
Economist Originated 2°C Goal
- The 2°C target originated with economist William Nordhaus, not climate scientists.
- He linked it to historical temperature variation, marking 2°C as a threshold beyond human experience.
Politics Sparked Scientific Focus
- Politicians embraced the 2°C target due to its simplicity and memorability.
- Scientific studies then followed to assess the alarming consequences of exceeding it.