9.2 Climate Change

Anthropogenic climate change is driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. Global warming has already reached ~1.1°C above pre-industrial.

Observed Changes

+1.1°C

Global warming (2011-2020 vs 1850-1900)

420 ppm

CO₂ (vs 280 ppm pre-industrial)

+20 cm

Sea level rise since 1900

Future Projections (IPCC AR6)

SSP1-1.9 (Very low emissions)

+1.4°C by 2100. Net-zero by 2050.

SSP2-4.5 (Intermediate)

+2.7°C by 2100. Current policies trajectory.

SSP5-8.5 (Very high emissions)

+4.4°C by 2100. Fossil-fueled development.