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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Overview
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence program CLICCS (Climate, Climatic Change and Society) have assessed the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C higher than preindustrial levels. They find that social and natural-world trends make achieving that goal unlikely. They analyze climate threats, including deforestation and melting ice sheets, and offer detailed analyses of trends in fossil-fuel divestment, consumption and climate protests. CLICCS offers steps to limit warming to below 2°C, an achievable goal.

Take-Aways

  • Nations will not meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets.
  • Social drivers play essential roles in attaining climate goals.
  • Physical processes will have at most a moderate impact on meeting temperature goals.

About the Author

Researchers from an array of fields at the Cluster of Excellence CLICCS (Climate, Climatic Change and Society) study the relationships between climate and society. Universität Hamburg’s Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN) coordinates the CLICCS program in conjunction with partner institutions.