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Fallacy 2: Achieving net zero will avoid a climate disaster
03/11/2025
Fallacy 2: Achieving net zero will avoid a climate disaster
The goal of 'net zero' has been widely adopted by governments, the United Nations and many large corporate organisations. There seems to be broad consensus that achieving net zero will address the impending threat of global warming. At first sight, it seems logical that if we stop adding to the level of atmospheric CO2, then we will limit the rise in global temperatures. However, look a little closely, and the flaws in the strategy become apparent. The first problem is that the mechanisms for achieving net zero (carbon capture technologies and carbon offsetting, e.g. planting trees) are incapable of capturing the 37 billion tonnes of CO2 that we currently produce each year. The second and more fundamental problem is that achieving net zero by 2050 offers no assurance that global temperatures will be limited to a safe level. The third problem is that ‘net zero’ is a theoretical calculation based on assumptions that carbon emissions are offset by actions such as planting trees. Similarly, there are assumptions that biofuels and biomass are ‘green’. The failure to understand the flaws in these ideas is at the heart of the problem. However, net zero does provide the illusion that governments are addressing the threat of climate change. The fact that we are unlikely to achieve the target and even if we did, global warming could have passed catastrophic levels, is conveniently glossed over. This is delusion on a grandiose scale. NOTE: This episode refers to the following diagram.
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