Approaching 1.5 °C of Global Warming: Introduction to the Special Section on Behavior and Cultural Systems Analysis for Climate Change, Part I

Abstract

In late 2021, Behavior and Social Issues (BSI) invited papers for a special section on behavior and cultural systems analysis related to the human response to climate change, global warming, and related challenges. Despite efforts of scientists and citizens across the globe to educate and motivate action on climate change, atmospheric greenhouse gasses (GHG) continue to rise as economies recover from COVID-19 and fossil-fuel consumption resumes. Climate catastrophes are increasing in frequency (IPCC, 2018, 2021), and populations worldwide are experiencing greater numbers of climate-related disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, droughts, disruption of communities, and other catastrophes. Strategies and recent global commitments (COP26 UN Climate Change conference, 2021, https:// ukcop 26. org) designed to alter the emissions trajectory remain insufficient, with progress happening too slowly. The population of the planet just reached 8 billion people and requires enormous infrastructure to feed, house, employ, and energize economies. The trajec-tory is grim. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas supply to Europe is restricted, causing mounting worries about facing winter. Alternative energy sources are being pursued but are currently insufficient to meet needs. Thus, European countries are building coal fired plants to replace lost natural gas supplies and pursuing new fossil-fuel sources. Worldwide gasoline costs are rising, producing widespread dismay about the economic cost. These challenges are overshadowing efforts to cut fossil-fuel use and reduce GHG emissions, steps that are urgently needed to limit * Mark P. Alavosius