#SUS101: Understanding the Critical 1.5°C Climate Threshold 🌱

Why Does 1.5°C Matter?

Welcome to #SUS101—a beginner-friendly series where we break down key sustainability concepts in a simple way!

If you're interested in the world of sustainability, you'll hear about the 1.5°C climate threshold all the time—it’s one of those key numbers that one should know about to understand policymaking and global warming measurement better! But what does it actually mean, and why is it so important?

The countries that signed the Paris Agreement agreed to set a global limit on warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial averages to avoid gravely damaging the environment. But what counts as "pre-industrial"? Scientists typically use 1850-1900 as a reference period—the earliest time with consistent global temperature records, before human activities significantly altered the climate.

So, where do we stand today? 🌡️ In 2024, global temperature exceeded the pre-industrial (1850–1900) average by 1.46°C. This means we’re dangerously close to this critical limit.

So why was 1.5°C chosen as the global temperature target? Because both models and paleoclimate data show that beyond 1.5°C, the risk of severe impacts—including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and damage to ecosystems—becomes unacceptably high. Many of the worst consequences will be felt by those least responsible for the problem.

For a deeper dive into the 1.5°C climate threshold, check out the original article from climate.gov: "What's in a number? The meaning of the 1.5°C climate threshold."

This is what #SUS101 is all about—breaking down complex sustainability topics into easy-to-digest insights. If you found this helpful

, drop a 🌍 in the comments, and let’s chat! I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this series. 💬

#SUS101 #SUSItOut #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateScience #ParisAgreement