Politicians who cannot accept climate change is humanity’s greatest threat should have no place in the Australian parliament. 

So the deed is done, midst much sound and fury signifying nothing other than the fact that the Federal Coalition remain firmly in the climate denialist camp, as the Liberal Party has finally joined the National Party in dumping the Net Zero 2050 (NZE2050) emissions target. Ironically the right decision — made for entirely the wrong reasons — as it was clear years ago that NZE2050 was far too late; it must be reached as soon as possible, ideally by 2030-35.

Why? Because the risks of climate change even then were rapidly accelerating and today are far worse. As the authoritative State of the Climate 2025 report summarised last month:

“We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet’s vital signs are flashing red. The consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer future threats but are here now. This unfolding emergency stems from failed foresight, political inaction, unsustainable economic systems and misinformation. Almost every corner of the biosphere is reeling from intensifying heat, storms, floods, droughts or fires. The window to prevent the worst outcomes is rapidly closing. —-”

The 1.5oC temperature increase relative to pre-industrial conditions — the lower band of the Paris objective — is to all intents and purposes,

© Pearls and Irritations