Exclusive: Planet is headed for at least 2.5C of heating with disastrous results for humanity, poll of hundreds of scientists finds

Planet is headed for at least 2.5C of heating with disastrous results for humanity, poll of hundreds of scientists finds

Hundreds of the world’s leading climate scientists expect global temperatures to rise to at least 2.5C (4.5F) this century, blasting past internationally agreed targets and causing catastrophic consequences for humanity and the planet, an exclusive Guardian survey has revealed.

Almost 80% of the respondents, all from the authoritative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), foresee at least 2.5C of global heating above preindustrial levels, while almost half anticipate at least 3C (5.4F). Only 6% thought the internationally agreed 1.5C (2.7F) limit will be met.

Many of the scientists envisage a “semi-dystopian” future, with famines, conflicts and mass migration, driven by heatwaves, wildfires, floods and storms of an intensity and frequency far beyond those that have already struck.

Numerous experts said they had been left feeling hopeless, infuriated and scared by the failure of governments to act despite the clear scientific evidence provided.

      • blazera@lemmy.worldEnglish
        610·
        6 months ago

        Its because people are buying more larger SUV’s. Cars are still cheaper than SUV’s but consumers are choosing to buy bigger.

        • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          14·
          6 months ago

          I don’t think you’re listening. Small vehicles are not sold in America anymore. When was the last time you saw a new two door car? Americans are buying larger vehicles because that’s the only option. That’s the only option because the fuel economy rules in this country are broken.

          • blazera@lemmy.worldEnglish
            24·
            6 months ago

            Ah no, see i specified SUVs. By a large margin most new vehicles sold are large SUVs https://www.motortrend.com/news/best-selling-cars-trucks-suvs-in-america-2023/

            I know about the emissions standards exception for trucks and SUVs, its shitty. But there are still new cars being sold, cars that dont qualify for the more relaxed emissions standard, cars with a much higher mpg as a result, that cost less than the larger SUVs they are buying instead. Mitsubishi mirage or nissan versa are 2 that pop up. If consumers wanted smaller cars, that’s what we would have.

            • SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone
              3·
              6 months ago

              Keep in mind that the limited variety of smaller vehicles sold is an issue.

              For example, I drive a Prius. I decided I’d like to upgrade to a nicer PHEV car, so I looked at Lexus’s offerings. It’s almost all SUVs, with the only PHEV being an SUV. The luxury equivalent to the Prius exists, it just isn’t sold in the United States due to low demand for smaller vehicles.

              We’re not ready to jump to an electric vehicle yet, so I continue to drive my Prius and will drive it into the ground, despite it being pretty loud on the freeway.

              • [email protected]@sh.itjust.works
                2·
                6 months ago

                Trying to find an AWD, non-SUV vehicle that doesn’t require high octane (let alone a PHEV) was like a pipedream when I needed to replace our old Impreza.

            • tmsbrdrs2@lemmy.world
              31·
              6 months ago

              Having driven a Nissan Versa, they aren’t fun on the freeway, country roads or anywhere you’d be around anything the size of a standard SUV or current truck.

              • blazera@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                6 months ago

                I think thats a lot of how we got here in the first place, the problem isnt the versa, its the big ass trucks and SUVs. People dont wanna get crushed by these monsters, so they get their own suburban tank. And every year the arms race of SUVs big enough to feel safe in gets worse. Thats just the American way, making life dangerous for everyone else so you can feel safe.

                • [email protected]@sh.itjust.works
                  1·
                  6 months ago

                  Grown-ass adults barely clear the hood of the huge trucks they sell these days.
                  A few years ago, a pedestrian getting hit by a truck would have a somewhat decent chance of rolling on top of the sloped frontend, which is much less deadly than taking all that momentum in the chest from a square wall of steel.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
      52·
      6 months ago

      Well, also, increased trans-oceanic shipping (lots of old ships still use bunker fuel, some of the nastiest fossil fuel on the market) and increased air travel and also plus too a bunch of wars keep happening.

      I should note that we do have a solution to the first problem. But it’s predicated on the rapid deployment of a very modern kind of nuclear engine.

      And that means replacing tens of thousands of old ICE engines. Which means spending money. Which private industry hates.

      So don’t hold your breath waiting for any of this shit to change. But do hold you breath around bunker fuel, because jesus fucking christ that shit is gross.