The Cost of "Not Zero"

Based on our current trajectory we’re going to breach the 2°C threshold by 2037 (just 12 years from now) at a cost of $11 trillion of lost GDP, and 3°C by 2060 at a cost of $18 trillion. This can be considered the cost of Not Zero as this is what we can expect if we don’t act. And this is optimistic in that it ignores the impact of crossing climate tipping points and planetary boundaries. This gives an idea of how much it’s worth spending to reduce our carbon emissions.

Sources:
Comparing climate impacts at 1.5°C, 2°C, 3°C and 4°C | UN Climate Summit News - COP29
Global Warming has Accelerated Significantly, Grant Foster and Stefan Rahmstorf (2025 preprint)
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Original post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tony-duckenfield_climatechange-netzero-notzero-activity-7361330627352174592-7CYa?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAEjLEIB1e5oumvzClP0uo5HJMONEXj7JOY