Climate Crisis: Emissions Soar, Biodiversity Plummets

Human-driven climate change keeps accelerating, with carbon dioxide levels hitting a record

429.35 parts per million back in March at Hawaii's Manaloa Observatory.

That's of 50% from pre-industrial times, thanks to fossil fuels and livestock farming,

pushing global tins past 1.5 degrees, Celsius above pre-industrial averages in 2024, the

warmest year on record.

Earlier this week, British Columbia dialed back its zero-emission vehicle mandate, dropping

the target from 100% of new light duty, sales by 2035 to just 75%.

Officials say it aligns with federal changes, easing burdens on automakers amid supply

issues, and slow consumer uptake for electrics and plug-in, hybrids.

Meanwhile, folks are sounding alarms over biodiversity hits, like record-low steelhead returns

in BC, rivers sparking urgent conservation calls from wildlife groups.

Old-growth logging reviews are stalling too, leaving forests vulnerable as heat domes

and floods, like the deadly ones in 2021, ramp up.

From this warming trend, on the federal front, Prime Minister Mark Carney just plays $3.8 billion

to shield nature, aiming to protect 30% of.

Canada's land in waters by 2030, that includes new parks and indigenous-led efforts, recognizing

ecosystems as key allies against climate chaos, from cleaner air to stable freshwater.

Sciences warn we're off track for Paris' goals, with emissions set to hit 2.3 to 2.5 degrees

by centuries' end, if pledges.

Falter, but moves like these offer a fighting chance before that 1.5 degree window slams

shut.

I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to Vancouver News today, AI-powered

local news.