Notes on Climate Change in Light of IPCC SR-15

In October of 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. (aka IPCC SR-15).

The report examined

key consequences of exceeding global warming of 1.5°C
the shifts in emissions need to stay below that limit
mitigation pathways to reduce and eliminate emissions
adaptation pathways to reduce harm from global warming

The IPCC report has profound implications that are not widely appreciated. There is an existential need for immediate action of unprecedented scope and scale. None of our current responses to global warming are nearly adequate.

I ~~wrote~~ am writing these 10, one-page notes as a guide for Berkeley policy makers and my local community, and also to share with a wider general audience.

#1: "The push for zero"
(pdf) (docx)

Within a single lifetime, humans must stop all CO₂ emissions and begin removing excessive CO₂ from the atmosphere.
#2: "The carbon budget"
(pdf) (docx)

Continuing to emit CO₂ at current rates will cross a point of no return within a few years. Steep reductions in emissions must begin this year and continue for years to come.
#3: "How soon until zero"
(pdf) (docx)

Emissions must be reduced, beginning immediately, faster than "green alternatives" can be fully implemented. This poses a significant social challenge for how adapt, in the short run."
#4: "Massive die-offs and possible extinction: really?!?"
(pdf) (docx)

Delaying action even just a few years would have devastating consequences.
#5: "Your lifestyle or your life - physical and economic limits"
(pdf) (docx)

Business as usual is not an option. We must make immediate changes or be in a much worse situation later. The catch is that these changes are likely to be economically disruptive
#6: "Can't we just make our infrastructure green?" (pdf) (docx)

Many public policies related to climate change were formed without awareness of the urgency of the emergency. Consequently, they assume a world that doesn't exist and aim for a world that can not and therefore will not exist.
#7: "What is to be done?" (pdf) (docx)

Perhaps the greatest political taboo is that against any threat to economic growth. Policy interventions must aim to stimulate, or at least not impede economic growth. Yet, all necessary paths to address the climate crisis require immediate, substantial reductions in economic output.

coming...

#8: "The genocide problem."

Are we monsters?
#9: "Simple plans of action."

A little courage is all we need to act.
#10: "Rejoice."

A personal reflection.

Notes on Climate Change in Light of IPCC SR-15

See also