Whenever you hear a politician say "carbon neutral by 2050", interrupt them. The real goal is to avoid getting too far over 1.5 degrees warming. We need to avoid reaching tipping points that will cause non-recoverable damage to the earth system. The year 2050 is meaningless. Actual global average temperatures is what should be measured.

You're still hearing politicians talk about climate change? This could be an American bubble but I haven't heard talk of climate change from US politicians, or the other global leaders that filter through our news cycle, since 2023.

2050 is not meaningless. Its close enough to feel like its achievable but far enough away that you can put off immediate action and still feel there is time to get it done. Reminds of the lyrics of the spirit of the west song:

It's a ways outside of town

But the distance has its uses

Close enough to make the effort

Far enough to make excuses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZXgl5KxUQY

Even if we stop all emissions right now, we'll exceed the 1.5C target, so...

A couple years back I saw articles about how we're basically less than a year from the tipping point.

Then nothing.

My guess is we passed the tipping point. It's inevitable by now.

That goal is no longer possible.

I don't think it's that easy to interrupt politicians, especially these days as more and more protections are justifiably given to them.

Do you have an example where you personally interrupted a politician effectively?

> We need to avoid reaching tipping points that will cause non-recoverable damage to the earth system.

Then I'd be far more worried about nuclear war than minor temperature excursions. Aside from that "non recoverable" damage happens every day. What do you think mining is?

> Actual global average temperatures is what should be measured.

On average it was 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler last year than it was the previous where I live in northern CA.