Scientists have long agreed that 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming is the threshold for avoiding the most devastating consequences of climate change. In 2023, for the first time, we passed the 1.5 degree threshold over the course of an entire year.
Though not yet permanent, the year gave us a terrifying look at what is coming if we fail to sharply bend the emissions curve downward.
How do we respond to this dire situation? We cannot delay, but we also cannot despair. As the hosts of the Outrage and Optimism podcast put it, "This is a time for absolute clarity."
Let's implore our leaders to act boldly and quickly, in every way they can, to help us meet the demands of the science and turn our planet's fate around!