Paris Negotiations: How Does Colorado Fit in?

In this infographic, CEA takes a look at how Colorado’s actions (or inaction) to mitigate climate change fit into the global framework of a 2 degree Celsius limit on global average temperature rise. In the context of this goal at the heart of the Paris negotiations: how does Colorado fit in? Specifically, how do Colorado’s projected emissions from electricity fit in?

As the Paris conference of parties begin this week, there has been much discussion about the 2 degrees Celsius limit on global temperature increases at the center of international negotiations. Yet it is clear that the pledges made by nation state leading up to Paris will not be enough to keep global temperatures from rising less than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, many scientists and citizen advocates, including the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, have prudently argued that the 2 degree increase in global temperatures is “highly dangerous.” Even a 2 degree increase could lead to sea level rise of “at least several meters” in this century.

Still, the international target of 2 degrees is a focal point of negotiations and has come to function as a widely-referenced measuring stick by which to judge the climate action commitments of nations, states, cities, and localities. Indeed, it’s come to serve as the measuring stick for the entire international community. Let’s see how Colorado stacks up!