Summarised by Centrist
In “1.5°C – An Unethical Aspiration,” Barry Brill discusses the unrealistic goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Brill argues that this goal, as advocated by the United Nations’ COP28 conference, is unattainable and unethical. Its pursuit would cause widespread economic and social hardships while failing to address the root causes of climate change.
He points out that the world has already experienced 1.44 degrees Celsius of warming since 1850, leaving only a small fraction of the 1.5-degree target achievable.
Brill also cites predictions from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) suggesting that the 1.5-degree goal is unlikely to be met, with a significant chance of failure.
Furthermore, the Brill questions the feasibility of achieving the 1.5-degree target due to the limitations of negative emissions technologies (NETs) and the impracticality of drastically reducing emissions by 2030.
He contends that the 1.5-degree goal has been manipulated and misrepresented to push for stricter climate policies, resulting in economic burdens and energy poverty for many, especially in developing countries.
