The threshold symbol of 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been exceeded. The Wmo, the United Nations meteorological agency, has sounded the alarm, according to which the situation is destined to worsen further: for many generations it will not go below this altitude.
But what does this number mean? It means ever higher temperatures and ever greater risks for the planet and for our health. A risk, 97% of scientists agree on this, linked to human activities, which cause the release of ever greater doses of greenhouse gases (above all CO2) into the atmosphere.
Since the Industrial Revolution, when there was only 278 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the average temperature has increased by a grade and another degree is expected by the end of the century. A climate change that risks causing the disappearance of ice, an ever greater drought and the spread of new diseases.
Something is moving, to avoid being overwhelmed by an unmanageable climate transformation. At the Paris Cop, greenhouse gas cuts are established for 2030 of 40% compared to 1990 for Europe and 28% for the United States. A provision, however, which risks not being enough to avoid the two-degree increase established in the French capital.
Cutting emissions is a goal to be achieved by working on various fronts, such as the electrification of industrial production, transport and homes, possible through the use of nuclear energy or renewables.
To avoid the uncontrolled growth of emissions, it will also be necessary to touch on the "taboo" theme of the issue, the famous elephant in the room, i.e. the transport, which are not yet covered by the climate agreements. Emissions from cars and heavy vehicles represent, in fact, 23% of total CO2 emissions. The other major open front is that of heating systems, one of the major sources of greenhouse gases.
An individual and collective effort will therefore be needed to prevent the next few years from beating, as happened in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the hottest year ever. To limit the damage, it will be necessary to change one's habits and focus as much as possible on innovation.
Even the Governments, albeit among many compromises, are doing their part, with agreements such as the one reached in Kigali. Indeed, in the capital of Rwanda, an agreement was found to eliminate the use of dangerous gases such as HFCs. Other agreements have also been found to limit aviation and ship emissions.
Faced with such a strong warning on the issue of pollution and climate change, some large Italian groups belonging to the most sensitive sectors in terms of emissions, such as Eni, Enel and FCA, have released press releases clarifying their position in the fight against climate change.
Both groups have been placed by the international non-profit organization CDP in the Climate “A” Listreserved for leaders in the fight against climate change. In this case, Eni is the only major oil & gas company to have achieved this result, while FCA and Enel have once again been recognized as leaders on a global level for their commitment and the significant results achieved in combating climate change. Only 9% of the companies analyzed in the last year were included in the "A" List.
