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What is the historical context of zero emissions policies and how have they evolved over time?

Myranda Wisedale

Well, the historical context of zero emissions policies is quite interesting. It all started back in the late 1970s when the world began to realize the negative impacts of human industrial activities on the environment. Scientists had given warnings that the rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would lead to rising temperatures and climate change. As the years progressed, the scientific evidence became too overwhelming to ignore, and nations began to take measures towards reducing their carbon emissions.

The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 was a critical breakthrough. It marked the beginning of global cooperation towards addressing climate change. Countries agreed to make efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below their 1990 levels. However, the protocol was not without its flaws. Several nations, including the US, who were some of the largest emitters, opted not to ratify the protocol, claiming that it was unfair to developing countries.

This led to the rise of regional and local initiatives towards combating climate change. Cities and towns began to make pledges to reduce their carbon footprint, and some even set a target of achieving zero net emissions. By 2005, the United States had more than 400 cities that had pledged to reduce their emissions by 7 percent below their 1990 levels by 2012.

Fast forward to 2015, and the world witnessed another significant breakthrough with the Paris Agreement. Nearly 200 nations agreed to work towards keeping global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. They also pledged to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement marked a significant step towards achieving a zero-carbon future.

Since then, countries have continued to increase their climate commitments, with some setting targets of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The European Union, for instance, has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. China has committed to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The evolution of zero emissions policies over time has been remarkable, and it is gratifying to see that the world is making progress in addressing climate change. While there is still much work to be done, these policies serve as a reminder of the vital role that we all play in preserving the planet for future generations. Whether it's as individuals or as nations, we must continue to take real action to save the environment.