The case for urgent and radical carbon emission reductions
Channel: Scientists for Global Responsibility
Date: 08/12/2014

2014 SGR Conference "Living within environmental limits: From science to practice"
Halton Mill, Halton, Lancaster, UK; Saturday 4 October

Presenter: Dr Maria Sharmina, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester
Camera operator: Alastair Maskell
Editor: Alasdair Beal

Abstract: The continuing failure to reduce emissions globally has left us with little chance of staying below 2°C, a ‘dangerous climate change’ threshold. We are currently on a 4-6°C trajectory, and potential impacts associated with 4-6°C temperature increases imply that such futures are practically unliveable. To make a fair contribution to staying below 2°C, wealthier parts of the world (with the UK amongst them) would need to reduce their carbon emissions by about 10% per year, starting immediately. These are unprecedented reduction rates. The urgency and scale of the challenge suggests that the supply side alone (e.g., renewables and nuclear) will not be sufficient to meet the 2°C constraint. A combination of supply- and demand-side measures is the only way to start rapidly reducing emissions in the short term.
This presentation will discuss the challenge of major reductions in carbon emissions and suggest options for addressing them, with a focus on the UK.

More Info: http://www.sgr.org.uk/events/living-within-environmental-limits-science-practice