In 2015, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, 197 countries collectively adopted the historic Paris Agreement. This pivotal climate accord, known for its “1.5℃ target,” aims to control global temperature rise within 2℃ of pre-industrial levels, striving for a 1.5℃ limit to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.
However, how are we faring in this endeavor?
The end of last year saw the release of the UN’s “2023 Emissions Gap Report,” assessing the progress of countries in their climate action. The report indicates that while some progress has been made, the current climate action is insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. Under the policies of 2015, global greenhouse gas emissions are projected to grow by 16% by 2030; however, with current efforts, the increase is expected to be only 3%.
Yet, this is still not enough to achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement. To stay below a 2℃ rise, global greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 must decrease by 28%; to reach the 1.5℃ goal, emissions need to drop by 42%. With the current plans for carbon reduction, the global average temperature is expected to rise by 2.5～2.9℃ by the end of this century!
While a 3℃ temperature fluctuation might not significantly affect our daily decisions, for the global average temperature, it spells disaster.
When the Earth warms by 3℃, glaciers melt, sea levels rise, coastal cities and islands are submerged, and unique species disappear. Most coral reefs cannot survive such warming, and many ecosystems will collapse. Studies have shown that compared to a 1.5℃ rise, a 3℃ increase in global temperatures would lead to more frequent floods and droughts, with the likelihood of extreme heatwaves soaring.
Can we only be anxious and pessimistic about global warming?
In June this year, the Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union issued a severe warning that human activities have caused global warming to reach historic highs.
From June 2023 to May 2024, the global average temperature for 12 consecutive months reached record levels. Moreover, from July last year to May this year, the global average temperature for 11 consecutive months exceeded the pre-industrial level by at least 1.5℃.
Although this does not mean that the Paris Agreement has failed—the agreement’s “1.5℃ target” refers to the long-term average warming level, not just the temperature increase of a few months or a year—it is undoubtedly a significant turning point in global climate history. The extreme heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires that have occurred over the past year are impacting our present and future.
Faced with such data, it’s easy to fall into anxiety, helplessness, or even despair. Many climate scientists share these feelings. However, an increasing number of people are calling for optimism in the face of climate challenges—optimism that is informed and cautious. Optimism can drive persistent action and change, rather than inaction in the face of despair.
Human activities are the primary driver of global warming, but humans are also the only species capable of slowing it down. Our actions can indeed bring about change, such as the 30% share of renewable energy in the energy structure last year, with record numbers of solar and wind energy facilities. This indicates a gradual reduction in dependence on fossil fuel-generated electricity and a corresponding decrease in carbon emissions.
While these efforts may not enable us to meet the 1.5℃ goal, nor may they achieve the 2℃ target, it does not mean that all efforts are in vain. Every 0.1℃ matters, and we may ultimately have to face a world where temperatures rise above 1.5℃. However, 1.5℃, 2.0℃, and 2.5℃ are different. We may not reach the most ideal outcome, but action can still help us strive for a relatively better result.
In the context of global agriculture, how can we practice low-carbon living?
In global agriculture, the following measures can be taken to practice low-carbon living:
- Farming Practices: Adopt precision agriculture, promote organic farming, implement conservation tillage.
- Energy Use: Switch to renewable energy sources, optimize machinery efficiency, use energy-efficient irrigation systems.
- Waste Management: Compost agricultural waste, recycle packaging materials.
- Supply Chain and Consumption: Shorten supply chains, educate consumers about the importance of choosing low-carbon agricultural products and sustainable farming practices.
Every individual’s climate action is crucial
In climate action, the most important changes are those made by nations and businesses—through legislation, policy-making, and industry standard improvements, ultimately achieving an upgrade in industrial and energy structures.
In contrast, the actions of ordinary people may seem insignificant, but the impact of these small actions is substantial. The United Nations Environment Programme has pointed out that family greenhouse gas emissions account for about 2/3 of the global total. This means that when we start to pay attention to climate change and make lifestyle changes towards a low-carbon direction, we are using our own power to support global climate action.
