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It seems that more&more (mostly non-governmental) entities are becoming serious about using the above as their GhG-emission reference point. Happy New Year!
Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 which is in:
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The next few years are critical even for the 2050 target. According to IPCC science, limiting warming to around 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030; at the same time, methane would also need to be reduced by about a third. Even if achieved, it is almost inevitable that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold but could return to below it by the end of the century. It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F). Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.
Sustainable choices
Accelerated and equitable climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is critical to sustainable development. Some response options can absorb and store carbon and, at the same time, help communities limit the impacts associated with climate change.
For example in cities, networks of parks and open spaces, wetlands and urban agriculture can reduce flood risk and reduce heat-island effects.
Mitigation in industry can reduce environmental impacts and increase employment and business opportunities. Electrification with renewables and shifts in public transport can enhance health, employment, and equity.
Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of economic production and consumption. However, if you&I decide — now — to creatively
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- TRANSCEND in action those destructive needs/wants/desires that encompass “the good life,”
- INCLUDE in action our neighbours, progeny, and planet in resolving our “unsatisfied (ego-)feelings,” and
- COMPENSATE in action the remainder with carbon removals/offsets
it is calculated that together, communities can very well achieve the 2050 goal!
Science Based Targets initiative
SBTi suggests that decarbonising our home-life&work “operations” (yes it’s that practical) should definitely go beyond scope 1 and 2 emissions to include the largest indirect scope 3 emissions. Practical steps require us to, consistently,
- Enhance our measurement and disclosure: align emissions reporting with the SBTi, and digitise our existing emissions data collection, calculations and reporting. (Start to prepare your&my 2022 invoices for an accurate Park Ecovillage, Findhorn Carbon Assessment this year.)
- Reduce our travel emissions: choose and support ever greener alternatives for necessary travel, and redesign the ineffectiveness of our home&work operation models by supporting value-adding technology.[mfn]Remember that historically, not all culinary “labour saving devices” actually did so, or added most value to beneficiaries. That depends on the values yardstick in hand, doesn’t it?![/mfn] (Glocal on Zoom; Local in body.)
- Invest in carbon removals and renewables: source as much 100% renewable electricity as possible to mitigate the emissions from electricity consumption, and support high quality carbon offset projects to cover emissions which are unavoidable, including from our owned vehicles, heat consumption, and ground/sea/air travel. (Offsetting is being honest about the true cost of satisfying our “real needs”.)
- Support our own “supply chain” decarbonisation: integrate science-based climate analysis into our home&work “operations” and encourage/prefer suppliers of products&services who really ARE decarbonising. (Thus choose to know your supply base. “You pay for what gain?”)
What’s the difference between 2030 and 2050?
20years! A large number of months, sure. But it’s still only finite! 1.5°c will be achieved or not sooner or later. It’s all up to your&my CHOICES in action…
Motivation issues?
Eileen Caddy’s “Still small voice within” restated the following: Never sit back and feel there is little or nothing you can do to help the world situation. There is a tremendous amount you can do to help by the work you do on the inner in radiating Love and Light out to individuals, to countries, to nations and to the whole world. Day by day you do this and because you do not see any outer results you wonder if the work is really any good and if it does help. Let Me assure you that this work which is being done on the inner is simply tremendous. lt is holding the whole world in balance, so never cease, never let up in any way but carry on faithfully.
See the whole Network of Light all over the world doing this inner work, see every tiny spark of Light gathering together bringing more and more Light into the whole world situation. If each individual does its part and does it in faith, without always wanting to see immediate results, so does the Light grow brighter and brighter. So shine forth My little Lights until the darkness has been transformed and all is Light.
And this Light is not so light if it’s not manifested in our deeds and results. Eileen&Peter Caddy and Dorothy MacLean (happy birthday for the 7th!) and their first followers were very practical people…
Conclusion
It’s all up to you&I ! Hence these reminders… The key is Love, the action is service, and the joy is knowing the grandeur that is God in us and in everything. ~ Dorothy Maclean.
Trusting that you’re having a blessèd holiday season, may we also be true blessings during 2023&beyond for all our fellow beings ️ …
