Essay by Eric Worrall
Australian climate scholars demand better international compliance with their diktats.
No more excuses: restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions completely
Published: July 4, 2022 4.09 p.m. AEST
Kate Dooley Research Fellow, College of Climate & Energy, University of Melbourne
Zebedee Nicholls PhD Researcher at the College of Climate & Energy, University of MelbourneRestoring degraded environments, such as by planting trees, is often seen as a solution to the climate crisis. But ours new research shows that this, while important, is no substitute for blocking fossil fuel emissions to limit global warming.
We calculated the maximum potential for responsible nature recovery to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. And we found that, combined with ending deforestation by 2030, this could reduce global warming by 0.18°C by 2100. Meanwhile, current commitments from countries keep us on the right track 1.9-2 warm up.
This is a far cry from what is needed to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change and far exceeds the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 target. And it poured cold water on the idea that we could compensate our way from ongoing global warming.
The priority remains the rapid phasing out of fossil fuels, which have contributed 86% of total CO₂ . emissions In the century. Deforestation must also end, along with land use, deforestation and forest degradation contribute 11% global emissions.
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Maintaining the ability to limit warming to 1.5℃ requires rapid reductions in fossil fuel emissions by 2030 and global net-zero emissions by 2050, with some research even calling for 2040.
Wealthy countries, such as Australia, should achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions earlier than their higher past global averages based on emissions.
Now we need new international cooperation and agreement stop the expansion of fossil fuels globally and let governments solidify their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement Corrosion Mechanism. Promises of soil removal of carbon dioxide cannot justify the delay in these necessary actions.
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I’m afraid I’ve got news for you about the University of Melbourne scholars. The Paris Agreement is dead in every way. Germany and the rest of Europe are frantically looking for as much coal as possible.
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