Net Zero and Beyond: A Scientific Perspective

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, and addressing it requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Net Zero plans have emerged as a key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the worst impacts of climate change. However, some skeptics argue that these plans are dangerous and unsupported by science.

The paper has been co-authored by three experts in their respective fields, namely Drs. William Happer and Richard Lindzen, who are retired professors from Princeton University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively, with years of experience in studying and writing about the physics of Earth's atmosphere. The third author, Gregory Wrightstone, has over 40 years of experience as a geologist and has devoted a significant portion of the last decade to writing and speaking about the correlation between geology, history, and climate.

Despite these claims, the scientific consensus on climate change remains clear. The overwhelming majority of climate scientists and researchers agree that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are causing significant and dangerous impacts on the environment and human societies. The evidence shows that global temperatures are rising, sea levels are increasing, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, and ecosystems are being disrupted.

Net Zero plans aim to address these challenges by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These plans have gained widespread support from governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide, as they offer a clear path to limit the worst impacts of climate change and create a more sustainable and resilient future.

The US Global Climate Research Program (USGCRP) is in the process of developing the 5th National Climate Assessment, and has introduced regulations that require a Social Cost of Carbon of $51 per ton. It is anticipated that this amount will be increased to $190 per ton in the near future.

Moreover, the claims made by the CO2 Coalition paper regarding the disastrous consequences of reducing fossil fuels and CO2 emissions to Net Zero are unsupported by the scientific evidence. While transitioning to a Net Zero economy will undoubtedly pose some challenges and require significant investments, it will also create new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Moreover, the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including improved air quality, reduced dependence on finite and increasingly expensive fossil fuels, and a more stable climate, will far outweigh the costs.

A printable version of Challenging Net Zero with Science is available for download.