Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to drop by at least 4% to 7% this year, thanks to the coronavirus lockdowns implemented worldwide. In April, experts said that it dropped by 17% but began to rise again once lockdowns were eased but are still as high as the levels in 2006.
Despite this good news, the UN World Meteorological Organization, "United in Science," warns that climate change continues even during the months of lockdowns. Signs of climate change were evident in heatwaves in Siberia and the melting of ice in Antarctica.
The UN report noted that the world has not been making much effort to limit global warming to rising below 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit to expect the worst impacts of climate change. They noted that at least a sustained 7% cut in pollution is needed over the next decade is required in order to keep temperatures below the target.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Declining in 2020
Although carbon dioxide emissions have declined this year, researchers said that it is not enough to reduce the total amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere.
According to Pep Canadell, one of the authors, there is about one in four chance that temperature will rise above 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit at least one year in the next five years.
Moreover, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases continue to rise in 2019 and 2020. According to records, the years 2016 to 2020 were the hottest five-year period.
Other evidence of continuous climate change is the shrinking of ice sheets in the Arctic region, rising global sea level, and extreme weather events.
In the next five years, from 2020 to 2024, there is a 24% chance at least one year will see global temperatures will exceed the threshold of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. A research scientist from CSIRO, Eva Plaganyl, said that these temperature changes would have catastrophic impacts on human populations.
She added that the world is unprepared for higher temperatures, more floods and droughts, melting ice sheets, and rising sea levels. The pandemic is hard for everyone, and it should serve as a wake-up call that the future planetary shocks are best avoided with a globally coordinated action.
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Consider Climate Change in Investment Decisions Today
The year 2020 has been a challenge to everyone in the world as it disrupted the lives of people worldwide. But global warming and climate change continue. Experts urge everyone to take the lessons this year and turn it into an opportunity to build a better future.
Met Office's polar climate science manager, Ed Blockley, said that September 2020 is the second time that sea ice had dropped below 2.5 million square miles in the modern record Arctic.
This year's summer has seen rapid sea-ice loss partially linked to the heatwave happening in Siberia.
The Arctic is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world affected by global warming and climate change. But because of the 'inertia in the climate system,' Dr. Thomas Mortlock from Risk Frontiers said that even if carbon dioxide emissions are stopped tomorrow, it will still not matter for at least a decade.
Due to that, he urged everyone to consider climate change in making investment decisions today.
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