Climate Cabal

World powers have made some progress toward the goal of containing global average temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, the target that experts have said will avoid the risk of utter environmental disaster. Before 2015, the world was on track to warm by four degrees Celsius.

But will it be enough? Today, the world is on track for two to three degrees Celsius. Even that modest amount could prevent more frequent and severe wildfires, heat waves, floods and other disasters, saving hundreds of thousands of lives and untold millions of dollars of personal property.

Still, no big polluter is yet doing enough to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Some experts also argue the target would require such drastic action that it is now unrealistic, prompting renewed discussions about whether it should even be the goal of international climate summits.

The talks demonstrate the mixed results that come up time and again at world climate conferences. Countries have indeed made progress and promised to do more, but they have also fallen short of previous goals. But they must keep trying because, albeit slowly, their efforts are having an impact.