Nature Podcast

Why COP28 probably won't keep the 1.5 degree dream alive

Nov 29, 2023

Discussion on the challenges of keeping warming below 1.5°C at COP28. Highlights include falcons' problem-solving skills, California wildfires affecting cloud formation in Europe, and the mystery of powerful cosmic rays.

25:30

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Quick takeaways

The goal of keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees is a key focus at COP 28, but there is a need for further research and development in carbon extraction technologies to meet this challenge.

Extracting large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere later this century is a major challenge, and more R&D, investments, and government policies are required to develop scalable and effective carbon extraction methods.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Keeping Warming Under 1.5 Degrees

The goal of keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees is a key focus at COP 28. However, emissions are still rising and there is no easy pathway to achieve this target without extracting large amounts of CO2 later in the century. Projections estimate that we are currently on track for around 2.5 degrees of warming by the end of the century, which shows progress but falls short of the 1.5 degree goal. There is a need for further research and development in carbon extraction technologies to meet the challenge.

Introduction

2min

Challenges in Achieving the 1.5 Degree Target and Possibility of Overshoot

2min

Methods of Carbon Extraction and Challenges

6min

The Challenges of Transitioning to Clean Energy and Recent Research Highlights

3min

Unraveling the Mystery of Cosmic Rays

12min

In this episode:

00:49 What to expect at COP28.

The UN’s annual climate change conference is starting soon in Dubai. This time will be the first time that humanity formally assesses its progress under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, so we ask if this challenge of keeping warming below 1.5 ˚C can be met and what needs to happen at COP28 to make it a reality.

News Feature: Is it too late to keep global warming below 1.5 °C? The challenge in 7 charts