Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have risen to yet another record high in 2023, leading scientists to warn that it now appears “inevitable” that global warming will exceed the dangerous threshold of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels.
Humanity released 40.6 billion tons (36.8 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2023, representing an increase of 1.1% from 2022, according to a new report by an international team of climate scientists.
When added to the emissions created by land-use changes, including deforestation, a total of 45.1 billion tons (40.9 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide was emitted in 2023. At the current emissions level, the researchers estimate a 50% chance that global warming will exceed 1.5 C consistently in about seven years.
Related: Michael Mann: Yes, we can still stop the worst effects of climate change. Here’s why.
Released on the fifth day of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, the Global Carbon Budget report highlights the urgent need for rapid decarbonization in a year that has already seen record-breaking temperatures, extreme melting events, and predictions of vital ocean currents collapsing from just 2.2 F (1.2 C) of heating.
However, in their findings, published Dec. 5 in the journal Earth System Science Data, the report’s authors highlight that the gap between the promises made by governments, investors and companies and their actions remains far too wide.
Read more: msn
