There Are 1.5 Degrees Celsius Standing Between Us and the End of Us.

1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) global temperature rise is the internationally agreed upon point of no return. We are quickly approaching that milestone since 2023 was the warmest year on record since temperatures began to be recorded in 1850. According to climate.gov, the 10 warmest years in the history of record-keeping happened in the last decade. This temperature increase has issued an increase in extreme weather events such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, storms and droughts.

Once that global average temperature threshold is reached, scientists believe that a one way door will open to negative consequences that will be out of our control. Of course these events will not happen overnight. But as far as we know right now, we will not be able to stop them from occurring.

Here is a short list of what most scientists agree will happen once we cross the threshold:

1. The melting of water currently locked ice sheets will melt uncontrollably (Ice is already melting at both poles). This will cause the sea levels to rise 10-12 meters. Many islands and coastal lands will be underwater. The pH balance of the oceans will change, causing acidification and much sea life will not be able to survive. Coral reefs will die causing 25% of marine life to lose their habitat and many fish will become extinct. All this equates to biodiversity loss.
2. The Amazon rain forest will dry and the plants that keep our air clean and oxygenated will die.
3. Many countries will be too hot for humans to survive.
4. We will experience a reduced crop yield worldwide as a result of drought, floods, wildfires and heat waves. This will mean food insecurity for many people.
5. Infrastructure like roads, buildings, and drainage that were not designed to handle the increased heat, floods and other extreme weather events of the future and may not be able to survive. https://www.npr.org/2021/11/08/1052198840/1-5-degrees-warming-climate-change
6. We can expect an increase in the frequency and intensity of the extreme weather events we have experienced over the last 10 years.

Largest contributors to greenhouse gas levels

1. Animal agriculture and associated land use: “Raising livestock for human consumption generates nearly 15% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. It also uses nearly 70% of agricultural land contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss and water pollution. https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2022/03/15/it-may-be-uncomfortable-we-need-talk-about-it-animal-agriculture-industry-and-zero-waste
2. Electricity production (electricity and heat) to produce energy for our homes, industries and transportation. “The burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas contribute to 75% of the total global greenhouse emissions and 90% of the total global carbon dioxide emissions.” https://www.earthday.org/4-contributors-to-climate-change/
3. Waste = methane and other greenhouse gasses produced from food, trash, the livestock industry and other waste as it breaks down.

Recommendations to lower greenhouse gas and slow temperature rise

1. Realize and admit that human activity negatively affects the earth.
2. Replace fossil fuels for renewable, non- polluting energy sources as soon possible.
3. Produce less waste on a wide scale.
4. Reforestation- planting trees and other plants throughout the globe.
5. Decrease the production and consumption of livestock.

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