Climate Law & Policy Project
Protecting the human right to a safe climate.
Protecting the human right to a safe climate.
Since pre-industrial times, we have seen a rise in atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations from around 280 ppm to over 380 ppm and a corresponding increase in global average temperatures of about .75ºC (about 1.3ºF). This warming is already having devastating impacts on vulnerable communities in the Arctic, low-lying islands, and elsewhere. For instance, the Arctic has experienced warming at twice the rate of the rest of the globe, wreaking havoc on indigenous peoples' environment, culture, and economy.
Yet many international and domestic policy processes are currently aiming to limit warming to 2º C (3.6ºF) above pre-industrial levels (which is generally deemed to correspond to stabilizing atmospheric GHG concentrations at around 450 ppm) in order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. In other words, the oft-advocated goal - often viewed as the best we can hope to achieve - is to allow nearly triple the amount of warming that has already occurred. Fortunately, now we are seeing more and more calls to limit greenhouse gas concentrations to 350 ppm or below.
Climate change is already dangerous, especially if you are among those living in vulnerable communities. Further warming and further increases in atmospheric GHG emissions must not be the goal. Even keeping temperatures and GHG concentrations at current levels should not be the goal, since global warming is already causing grave harm to human communities and ecosystems in some regions. The goal should be to get temperatures and atmospheric concentrations of GHGs below where they are now.
CLPP advocates for more ambitious emissions reduction targets that will actually protect vulnerable communities, even if this means reducing temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations below current levels.
More resources on stronger targets