Global warming, temperatures rising despite coronavirus

In the next 5 years there is a 70% risk that the threshold one and a half degrees above pre-industrial levels be overcome one or more times, with dramatic consequences for humans. Yet another alarm about the state of health of our planet is launched by theInternational Meteorological Organization (WMO), which warns: the halt in human activities due to the coronavirus pandemic will not have repercussions on temperature levels in 2020.

CORONAVIRUS TEMPERATURE INCREASE

An even more disturbing prospect if one considers that what should become a decisive phase for the transition to sustainability, in fact, will only make the situation worse in the name of economic recovery. National governments are planning a spending of 9 trillion dollars, globally, of which only 12 billion approximately they should finance low-carbon industry. On the other hand, for Bloomberg, more than 500 billion will be invested in high-emissions industries (33 billion to support airlines alone, among the most polluting in absolute terms).

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TEMPERATURES 2020

The commitment to not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels was made by governments in 2015, when they signed the Paris Climate Agreement. The threshold is not merely symbolic; on the contrary, exceeding this limit is crucial. will lead to increasingly violent extreme events which will have very serious repercussions on ecosystems, endangering the very existence of humanity. Currently, compared to 1850, the average annual temperature on Earth it is one degree higher. And from now until 2024 there is a 20% risk that every year the mercury column will record values ​​higher than 1,5 degree compared to the pre-industrial era level.

INCREASING GLOBAL WARMING

Among the parts of the planet most affected by the increase in global warming is theArctic, which in recent years has become twice as warm as the global average, and Western Europe, which will be hit by growing storms, children of the inevitable sea ​​level rise“WMO has repeatedly stressed that the industrial and economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 is no substitute for coordinated and decisive action on global warming,” said Petteri Taalas, who added: “While COVID-19 has caused a serious global health and economic crisis, failing to address climate change risks threatening human well-being, ecosystems and economies for centuries.”

POLLUTION: RISKS AND DANGERS

• Environmental noise: one in five Europeans is affected by noise pollution.
• Clean air at home: plants that can help keep air pollution at bay.
• Pollution-related deaths account for 7 million worldwide. And 7 percent of deaths each year occur in Italy.
• Fossil fuel pollution costs $8 billion a day
• Fishermen fight pollution: in Campania, they're fishing for waste, helping the environment.
• Free books in exchange for bottles: cultural recycling against pollution arrives in Portici.
• Straw-houses: excellent insulation, savings of 15 to 20 percent. And zero pollution (photo)
• The plastic-eating robot crab cleans our seas of pollution.
• Pollution makes people sad and unhappy. In China, they know this well and are trying to fix it. But has anyone here really understood this? (photo)
• Air pollution: when smog is high, protect yourself by closing your car windows. Moisturize your skin and walk in green spaces.