Researchers used 42 indicators to assess the world's progress towards the 2030 climate targets; 41 are not on track. Six of these indicators are even heading entirely in the wrong direction, and about half of these indicators are so far off track that the efforts must accelerate at least twofold this decade. Brace yourselves for a few shocking conclusions
“We have the knowledge, technology, and financial means to stop this nightmare in its tracks before it gets much worse. What lacks is a sense of priority and the will to cooperate among those in power. In their book about today's global madness, future historians will refer to this first stocktake report and wonder why there was hardly a sense of alarm while the facts were so clear for all to see.”
Of all the alarming facts you’ve presented, these words may be the most disturbing. We can see clearly the evidence as you have detailed, point by point. Yet with the capability to do what’s necessary, as a global society, we fail to take adequate, committed and urgent action to save our planet.
Each week seems to bring more news, more photos of disasters. We are awed by what we see and turn the page. How many pages are left to be turned?
I can't help but be suspicious that someone is profiting from the increase in climate disasters in the United States (and elsewhere). The Guardian published an article about private equity firms buying up privately held, disaster recovery and clean-up firms and cutting costs for worker wages and safety equipment while pulling in lucrative government funding for clean-up efforts. Some of this is unproven allegations, however, I fear there must be money-driven reasons (in addition to those who profit from continued business as usual) why we cannot get business and government to align behind the clear evidence that we need to do much more and much more quickly to confront this disaster of our own making. Can people be so callous towards future generations (including their own offspring) that acquisition of personal wealth in their lifetime is paramount to all else?
In any case, thanks for your alarming summary of these latest reports. Some continued soul-searching is in order to see what more can be done - personally, at the local level, and through greater advocacy.
Thank you for sharing this most disturbing information. It seems to me that addressing the fascist leanings in governance, the MSM focusing on the scourge that is Trump, wars in Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Israel 🇮🇱 and Palestine, the immigration disaster at the border.....and multiple weather disasters every three weeks seem more urgent . We the informed realize that climate is an existential threat but how do we get the media to turn attention to extinction level futures when they seem so very involved in only slightly more immediate threats? It is so difficult to get the attention needed for action. Some progress has been made by steady handed Biden but you don’t see it reported. And some of his efforts seem questionable although his rationale is unclear. We are aware. Now what? 💔🇺🇸🌎💦🔜
It's a question I often ask myself too. Writing and raising attention is part of what I do. Some 80.000 people demonstrated this weekend in the Netherlands, asking to scale up climate action and I also have joined climate demonstrations in the past. But other news from the Netherlands tells us that efforts by the government to cap the number of flights at the main airport of Schiphol have failed due to international (and that is first of all the U.S.) pressure. It was aimed to reduce the noise pollution but would of course have contributed to less emissions.
Well, I'm feeling a sense of alarm. This is quite a sobering paper you wrote today. And 41 of 42 indicators not on track and that's just skimming the information. I'm proud to live in a community working on infrastucture - extending rail to underserved parts of our community, adding protected bike lanes all over the city, creating boulevard gardens to aid with flooding, talk of removing natural gas from apartments. And more. Certainly doesn't feel like enough. And it isn't enough. I don't know how we're going to get the oil companies in hand, but we must, and fast. Sigh. Thank you for this.
Not one person on this planet can do enough, but if we all do our share the way you do, and vote for the leaders that care about our future, than we can get it done. Thank you for what you do for this planet!
“We have the knowledge, technology, and financial means to stop this nightmare in its tracks before it gets much worse. What lacks is a sense of priority and the will to cooperate among those in power. In their book about today's global madness, future historians will refer to this first stocktake report and wonder why there was hardly a sense of alarm while the facts were so clear for all to see.” The words have been written.
“We have the knowledge, technology, and financial means to stop this nightmare in its tracks before it gets much worse. What lacks is a sense of priority and the will to cooperate among those in power. In their book about today's global madness, future historians will refer to this first stocktake report and wonder why there was hardly a sense of alarm while the facts were so clear for all to see.”
Of all the alarming facts you’ve presented, these words may be the most disturbing. We can see clearly the evidence as you have detailed, point by point. Yet with the capability to do what’s necessary, as a global society, we fail to take adequate, committed and urgent action to save our planet.
Each week seems to bring more news, more photos of disasters. We are awed by what we see and turn the page. How many pages are left to be turned?
And in the runup to COP28 expect more reports to come out every day.
What Lizzie, Judith and Rena said!
I can't help but be suspicious that someone is profiting from the increase in climate disasters in the United States (and elsewhere). The Guardian published an article about private equity firms buying up privately held, disaster recovery and clean-up firms and cutting costs for worker wages and safety equipment while pulling in lucrative government funding for clean-up efforts. Some of this is unproven allegations, however, I fear there must be money-driven reasons (in addition to those who profit from continued business as usual) why we cannot get business and government to align behind the clear evidence that we need to do much more and much more quickly to confront this disaster of our own making. Can people be so callous towards future generations (including their own offspring) that acquisition of personal wealth in their lifetime is paramount to all else?
In any case, thanks for your alarming summary of these latest reports. Some continued soul-searching is in order to see what more can be done - personally, at the local level, and through greater advocacy.
Thanks MIke, I needed a bit more space to respond to your comment; you find it here: https://theplanet.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/138901025/share-center
It is one of the finest responses anyone has ever written. 🙏
Thank you for sharing this most disturbing information. It seems to me that addressing the fascist leanings in governance, the MSM focusing on the scourge that is Trump, wars in Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Israel 🇮🇱 and Palestine, the immigration disaster at the border.....and multiple weather disasters every three weeks seem more urgent . We the informed realize that climate is an existential threat but how do we get the media to turn attention to extinction level futures when they seem so very involved in only slightly more immediate threats? It is so difficult to get the attention needed for action. Some progress has been made by steady handed Biden but you don’t see it reported. And some of his efforts seem questionable although his rationale is unclear. We are aware. Now what? 💔🇺🇸🌎💦🔜
It's a question I often ask myself too. Writing and raising attention is part of what I do. Some 80.000 people demonstrated this weekend in the Netherlands, asking to scale up climate action and I also have joined climate demonstrations in the past. But other news from the Netherlands tells us that efforts by the government to cap the number of flights at the main airport of Schiphol have failed due to international (and that is first of all the U.S.) pressure. It was aimed to reduce the noise pollution but would of course have contributed to less emissions.
Well, I'm feeling a sense of alarm. This is quite a sobering paper you wrote today. And 41 of 42 indicators not on track and that's just skimming the information. I'm proud to live in a community working on infrastucture - extending rail to underserved parts of our community, adding protected bike lanes all over the city, creating boulevard gardens to aid with flooding, talk of removing natural gas from apartments. And more. Certainly doesn't feel like enough. And it isn't enough. I don't know how we're going to get the oil companies in hand, but we must, and fast. Sigh. Thank you for this.
Not one person on this planet can do enough, but if we all do our share the way you do, and vote for the leaders that care about our future, than we can get it done. Thank you for what you do for this planet!
“We have the knowledge, technology, and financial means to stop this nightmare in its tracks before it gets much worse. What lacks is a sense of priority and the will to cooperate among those in power. In their book about today's global madness, future historians will refer to this first stocktake report and wonder why there was hardly a sense of alarm while the facts were so clear for all to see.” The words have been written.
Thanks Maria!
Thank you for this reporting!