Scientists warn that we can rely too much on natural carbon sinks
The world cannot focus all its decarbonization efforts on natural carbon sinks because their future contribution is “uncertain” as they are also affected by the climate crisis, which is why “a rapid and controlled elimination of fossil fuels is necessary.”
This emerges from the report “10 new scientific perspectives”, prepared by a group of renowned scientists such as, among others, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Johan Rockström, the IPCC scientist Oliver Geden or the CREAF researcher Marcos Fernandez.
This study, the result of collaboration between Future Earth, the Earth League and the World Climate Research Program, has been presented at UN climate summits every year since 2017 and its latest version was presented at COP28, currently taking place in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
The document presented this Sunday, for example, warns that exceeding the safety threshold set by the UN group of climate experts is almost “inevitable”: a one and a half degree increase in the average temperature of the Earth above pre-industrial values.
It also highlights other strong impacts that have worsened in recent years, such as the accelerated loss of mountain glaciers or the increasing immobility of people in areas with high climate risks.
It also examines some of the strategies countries should implement to stop warming: starting with a “rapid and controlled phase-out of fossil fuels” and reforming food systems.
They point out that all this must be supported by “sound policies” and a model of “common governance” with new tools that make the judiciary “functional”.