Introduction
In September 2021 a significant miscalculation was corrected on the global warming countdown “Climate Clock [1] ” displayed in New York. It’s now estimated our civilization only has until 28th July 2028 to curb our skyrocketing carbon emissions to merely increase the likelihood of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We have this short window to take decisive action and reduce our carbon emissions, otherwise we face irreversible ice sheet loss, catastrophic weather patterns and rising sea levels. This correction was presumably in response to land protection of indigneous peoples and the research behind the Paris Agreements’ [2] follow-up conference in Scotland, called COP26: The “Glasgow Climate Pact [3] ‘’, which was recently signed by nearly 200 countries.
To give some perspective on how soon 2028 will arrive, each child conceived after today may not even have a developed enough brain to know if things are “right” or “wrong” when the countdown reaches zero. For those of us who can tell the difference, let us focus for a second on our elected representatives and the corporations empowered by our consumer spending choices. In 2009 our developed nations promised to mobilise $100+ billion for vulnerable countries by 2020, a promise that was reaffirmed during the midway point Paris Agreement. During COP26 when held to account, our elected representatives responded by asking for more time to honour this promise. The Glasgow Climate Pact also only says we must “phase down” unabated coal and only phase out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies [4] . For those who smell a rat or sense red flags, 2022 is absolutely the year to get involved and take direct action ourselves. Those already active in this space might also want to ask themselves two simple questions: how can we do better and what more can we do?
The critical time window to reach zero emissions (our “Deadline”) could be the most extraordinary day in human history. Should we succeed the day will surely feel like the afterparty of a well played and spirited game of Welsh rugby, where fans from all teams fill the capital city’s pubs and stadium, enjoy a few cold drinks and hot foods, sing songs, dance and cuddle and kiss anyone who’ll allow it. Post-game days in Cardiff City centre are a wave of joyful celtic fans and the nicest, most heartfelt good energy to be around. Everyone’s so absolutely merry that no pandemic, war, injustice or terror attack in history has ever managed to, nor ever will, stop this long standing tradition and great experience and feeling [5] . The countdown clock effectively schedules a fixed date in all our calendars, for what could be the greatest planet-wide celebration in human history.
Climate Countdown Clocks are now being erected in every major city worldwide [1] . This whitepaper serves as an Act of Union and call-to-action for everyone in agreement with the concept described in this paper, so we begin self-organising into a global community of unified, diligent and original influencers, teams and supporters. By taking on responsibility and exercising a reasonable degree of commitment and loyalty to this cause, CEoT will quickly grow strong in numbers, secure our children’s future in the critical window we have remaining and do so without further delay.