Ocean floor deposits and model calculations have confirmed that in the past 3 million years, the global mean temperature has never been more than two degrees above pre-industrial levels, with fluctuating CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Since the beginning of industrialization, more CO2 has accumulated in the atmosphere through the burning of coal, oil and gas than probably ever before in the past 3 million years. Thus, in our current century, there is real threat that without effective climate policy the 2-degree limit of global warming will be breached for the first time – with far-reaching consequences.

Limiting human-made global warming in this century to 1.5°C, if possible, but in any case to less than 2°C (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperature levels: this goal was ratified under international law in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement of 2015. Nearly all countries of the world agreed on this target, as a warming of over 2°C would have drastic consequences: heat waves would increase significantly and put pressure on global agriculture. In the long term, sea levels would rise significantly, which could threaten coastal regions. In short: the risks would increase.

Around a quarter of the greenhouse gases emitted worldwide are from agriculture and forestry including, for example, deforestation. This makes land use one of the biggest sources of emissions, like especially methane and CO2, and thus a driver of climate change. However, it is also itself strongly affected by climate impacts, because, for example, there are more frequent regional crop failures due to droughts or heavy rainfall. Land use is therefore an important part of the solution to the climate problem. Better land use management – for example through more efficient use of fertilizers, reforestation or the renaturation of peatland soils – as well as a reduced demand for animal products can help to stabilize our climate.