The 1.5 degree Celsius problem gives the whole world a headache

(Dan Tri) - The Earth is entering a period of unprecedented change, with 2024 being recorded as the hottest year in climate observation history, with CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere exceeding 424 parts per million.

Experts discuss at the discussion session (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Global temperatures are exceeding warning thresholds, forcing scientists to search for urgent solutions.

Science and technology are opening up new directions - from green materials, clean energy, circular economy to carbon storage and ecosystem restoration - to create a development model that harmonizes growth and conservation.

In order to promote dialogue, knowledge sharing and international cooperation, VinFuture Foundation organizes the Seminar “Science and Innovation for a Sustainable Future”.

_CO2 exceeds 424 ppm, the world enters high risk zone

The seminar “Science and Innovation for a Sustainable Future” was held on the afternoon of December 4 in Hanoi (Photo: Minh Nhat).

The Earth is entering a period of unprecedented change, with 2024 set to be the hottest year on record, with atmospheric CO₂ concentrations exceeding 424 parts per million, the highest in millions of years.

Melting ice at the poles, widespread forest fires and rapidly declining freshwater resources show that climate change and environmental pollution are challenges to human survival.

The world is slipping far from its target of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a UN report at COP28 warns.

Experts attending the joint discussion commented that only breakthrough technological innovations and strong collective action can bring us back to a safe development trajectory.

Professor Nguyen Thuc Quyen - University of California, Santa Barbara (USA), Chairman of the VinFuture Preliminary Council, commented: “Climate change and environmental pollution are challenges for survival. Only breakthrough technological innovations and strong collective action can create a development model that harmonizes growth and conservation.”

The three pillars of solutions proposed by the speakers include: clean energy, decarbonization and promoting climate justice.

Clean energy technology: “The key to the 21st century”

Professor Martin Andrew Green - University of New South Wales (Australia), member of the VinFuture Prize Council, reaffirmed the central role of photovoltaic technology in the energy transition.

Professor Martin Andrew Green - University of New South Wales (Australia), member of the VinFuture Prize Council (Photo: Organizing Committee).

He is the “father” of two solar cell technologies PERC and TOPCon, which currently account for more than 90% of the total global silicon solar module production. He is also the winner of the VinFuture 2023 Grand Prize.

Professor Martin Andrew Green's team has held the record for silicon solar cell efficiency for three decades. He believes that continued optimization of efficiency and reduction of costs will be crucial for clean energy to become the mainstay of the global electricity system.

Another revolutionary approach is zero-emission fuels. Professor Aldo Steinfeld (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) introduces the technology for producing solar fuels (synthetic fuels), converting solar heat into liquid or gaseous fuels, while capturing and reusing CO ₂ .

His work has led to the creation of two notable spin-off companies:

Climeworks – Capture _CO2 directly from the air.

Synhelion – Producing fuel from solar energy.

These advances open up new avenues for decarbonizing transport and heavy industries.

Data science, climate modeling, and energy justice

Dr. Filippo Giorgi - Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (Italy), member of the VinFuture Prize Preliminary Jury, emphasized the role of advanced regional climate modeling.

Dr. Filippo Giorgi - Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (Italy), member of the VinFuture Prize Preliminary Jury, emphasized the role of advanced regional climate models (Photo: Minh Nhat).

According to him, data science allows simulation of extreme events with higher accuracy, helping countries and localities to plan adaptation effectively and proactively.

From another perspective, Professor Daniel Kammen - Johns Hopkins University (USA), member of the VinFuture Prize Council, called for promoting climate justice.

He said that projects to decarbonize and electrify the electricity system, especially in developing countries, should be prioritized to ensure all communities have access to sustainable energy sources.

Professor Daniel Kammen cited that fossil fuel subsidies in 2025 are five times higher than global clean energy investment, a major barrier to the energy transition.

“There are large and stark differences in responsibility for the climate crisis between different income groups globally:

Professor Daniel Kammen - Johns Hopkins University (USA), Member of the VinFuture Prize Council (Photo: Minh Nhat).

Between 1990 and 2015: Half of the world's population (the poor) contributed very little to global warming emissions (about 7%), while the richest minority (about 1%), contributed 15%.

Despite lengthy international negotiations, overall progress in curbing the climate crisis is still described as negative,” said Professor Daniel Kammen.

From industrial practice, Dr. Jayshree Seth, 3M Corporation (USA), member of the VinFuture Award Preliminary Council, said that innovation is the foundation of sustainable development.

She stressed that businesses must strongly shift to a circular economic model if they want to solve environmental pollution and substantially reduce emissions.

According to Dr. Jayshree Seth, innovation is a must. Smartphones today are not the latest because innovation and technology are continuous and never-ending, with no end in sight.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/bai-toan-15-do-c-khien-ca-the-gioi-dau-dau-20251204203454412.htm