Marshall Mermell
The threat of climate change is increasing at an exponential rate. It is predicted to reach an inflection point within less than eight years (the Climate Clock, Union Square, NYC). As this is recognized, understood and accepted, the pressure on policymakers and business to take action becomes urgent. As a result, the European Union mission to become a circular economy takes on a new resolve beyond fiscal recovery from the pandemic. In addition, many companies have aligned themselves with the IPCC goals of becoming climate neutral. Climate neutrality means creating carbon sinks (negative emissions) whose volume is equal to that of carbon emissions. Climate neutrality is not the appropriate goal. We require carbon negative outcomes not carbon neutral results. The potential for carbon sinks is limited and it will take years or even decades to develop them. Moreover, CO2 and methane emissions in the atmosphere is already too high and is growing at an exponential rate due to the melting of the polar caps. It is imperative that swift and uncompromising action is taken to reduce emissions and sequester carbon to achieve climate restoration. From a technological viewpoint, industrialized economies have all the solutions necessary to be able to reduce their emissions by 90 - 95% in the next 15 - 20years. We don’t have 15 years. We have less than eight years. The good newsisthat with determined and targeted action, it is possible to prevent a fundamental climate crisis by reducing emissions and creating carbon sinks.
