[Coral-List] 1.5 C not plausable anymore

[Franziska Elmer]

Dear Coral list,

We were part of the first groups fighting for 1.5 C, when it meant loss of most coral reefs and the other dire consequences for humanity were not yet discovered. Since the IPCC report in 2018, 1.5 C became everyone focus and goal, unfortunately we didnt follow the emission reduction path the IPCC put out and now 4 years later, we need a miracle to still stay below 1.5 C. That is why only 4% of living IPCC authors believe that we will still stay below 1.5 C, most of them think we end up somewhere around 3 C warming. However, while scientist openly talk about this amongst each other, when facing the public we keep the 1.5 C goal alive, pretending that the inactions of the last years didnt lead to this goal being no longer attainable.

Almost 1000 scientists signed a letter for our government warning them that 1.5 C while still physical possible is not anymore attainable. If you think our governments and citizens should know where we truly stand in the fight for climate, then please sign the letter below.

Letter: https://tinyurl.com/7x4r496e

If you are not able to sign the letter because you believe that we should keep 1.5 C alive , then that is ok. It took me several months of reflection and grief to get to a point where I was able to say that I agree that we cannot attain 1.5 C. I fought so hard for this goal and didnt want to be defeated. I also worried if we would lose peoples interest to act on climate if they hear that we arent able to stay under 1.5. However with the current  "1.5 C is attainable but needs urgent action" we also dont get people acting. The big action point happened when our messaging got bolder and more serious, back in 2018 when it was communicated how important 1.5 C was. Changing our messaging now and telling the truth that 1.5 C is lost can trigger again a wake up call. After all the clock cant stay stuck at 5 until 12 forever at one point we have to cross 12 o clock and mourn the losses of inaction.

With love for the ocean and coral reefs and rage about government inaction,

Dr. Franziska Elmer