Small Wins In Climate Fight Point The Way To Victory

The Guardian view on climate change: good news – but not yet good enough; Eleven of the last 12 months have been the hottest on record. Though progress on cutting carbon emissions is encouraging, more must be done

Editorial, 23 October 2016 (UK Guardian)

"The Montreal protocol is the most successful environmental treaty in history…[but some of the chemicals left in place] had an effect on the climate thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide. This month, world governments agreed to address that by eliminating the substitute chemicals – called HFCs – potentially reducing rising temperatures by as much as 0.5C in a relatively short time…The International Civil Aviation Organisation agreed this month to measures to combat the [GHG] impact of flying…[and this week international shipping will debate similar rules…These progressive moves, though belated and insufficient, must be welcomed. They represent an unprecedented run of helpful measures…[and] the Paris accord itself has now been ratified…[BUT] September was the hottest on record…making 11 out of the last 12 months record-breakers. This year is expected to set a new record – as last year did, and 2014 before it…To achieve what is needed before the window closes, we must recapture the sense of urgency that motivated the Montreal protocol…Climate change may be slow-burning…but it is no less threatening…” click here for more

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