Climate change has been a topic of importance in the last couple of years, especially since more and more evidence shows just how real and dangerous it could be. As a reminder for people, Union Square displays a clock that shows how much time we have left to turn things around, and it's running out.
Climate Clock Shows We Have Six Years
Several signs have already come and gone indicating that the state of the planet is getting worse. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, our carbon emissions have been damaging the Earth and since then, the planet has been 1.1°C hotter.
Union Square in New York displays a countdown from the Climate Clock for all the people to see, showing that we have about six years before carbon emissions lead to a permanent 1.5°C increase in global warming.
In their concern, world leaders agreed as part of the Paris Agreement that changes must be done to keep it from getting worse, as every increase could result in more disastrous consequences, as mentioned in The Verge.
These goals will require everyone to contribute to decreasing their CO2 emissions significantly. If the world continues to emit the same amount of pollution as we have before the pandemic (which is still the case right now), then it will really be too late.
Global Community Manager of the Climate Clock Organization, Becca Richie says that "the best day to have taken action was yesterday," adding that they are using climate data to create a timeline that urges governments and activists to "demand change."
The most important thing is to stay below the 1.5°C line. Richie claims that it is possible to enact the solutions we need in the indicated timeframe from the Climate Clock. With renewable energy sources emerging, we may just be able to, but six years might be too short of a deadline.
What Happens if We Don't Act?
The world is already experiencing the effects of our reliance on harmful energy sources like fossil fuels. Floods are now deeper and heatwaves have been growing hotter. Popular destinations like Venice are already at risk of sinking as well.
There are other potential threats that will come as the temperature rises. According to NASA, scientists believe that hurricanes will become stronger and more intense as the climate continues to warm, along with the rise in rainfall rates.
This will also cause sea levels to rise, which will worsen the aftermath of storm surges and flooding. In turn, it also means that the damages that these natural disasters bring will also be more severe than they were.
Wildfires will also spread much faster and will be harder to put out. With the warmer temperatures, wildfires will be extended and long-term droughts will up the chances of it starting in the first place.
As the planet becomes hotter, the ice in the Arctic Ocean will begin melting much faster. This will again result in higher sea levels and severe flooding, not to mention the loss of habitat for the animals that thrive in colder regions.
