Watch Video: Now that we’ve reached 1.5ºC, what next?
Abstract
David Spratt is Research Director for Breakthrough National Centre for Climate Restoration in Australia.
His most recent report concludes that global warming has reached 1.5°C, the rate of warming is accelerating, and emissions reductions are unlikely to reduce the rate of warming in the near term. While much of the climate community remains committed to the 1.5°C Paris goal, this target is fundamentally flawed: it does not represent a safe boundary, will not prevent large-scale Earth system elements passing tipping points, nor does it mark a point of system stability.
Exploring the limits of current strategies, the discussion will set out an alternative: a three-lever approach combining zero emissions, large-scale carbon drawdown, and urgent research into safe short-term cooling.
About the webinar
This webinar was hosted on 27 August, 2025
It was cosponsored by Our Climate Declaration, Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand, the Wise Response Society, Engineers for Social Responsibility, Seniors Climate Action Network, and the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum.
