Emissions accelerating, not declining
The UN's climate chief, Christiana Figueres, has thrown down the gauntlet, calling for temperature rises due to carbon dioxide emissions caused by humans to be restricted to just 1.5 degrees Celsius, to minimise the damage from and cost of climate change.
To prevent a two-degree rise, CO2 levels must be held at or below 400 parts per million.
Last month, the US government's Earth System Research Laboratory announced that atmospheric CO2 concentrations were now just shy of 395ppm, reflecting the highest ever recorded increase of 1.6ppm over last year. In other words, our CO2 emissions are accelerating, not declining.
Aircraft and flights are a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Significant improvements in aircraft engine fuel efficiency by up to 70 per cent and reduced emission levels are nonetheless offset by the escalating number of flights and aircraft.
At the current rate of growth, under a business as usual oil-based scenario, CO2 levels are projected to be seven times higher by 2050. That will mean major climate change and living conditions vastly different from today.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority wants to build another runway to increase air traffic even further. Supporters say it will be good for economic growth, but the figures presented above indicate we are heading towards a cliff at full speed with our eyes wide shut.
