Nothing says the world is ending more than a giant countdown clock in the middle of NYC. But what does this clock mean? When is it truly counting down to? And are we going to be able to stop it until it hits 0?

The climate clock is a large countdown in Union Square which is counting down until the world hits 1.5℃ above pre-industrial times level temperature. Although this may not seem like a lot, previous scientific research has shown that once this level is hit it will be essentially impossible to stop irreversible effects of climate change. From the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which has published two reports in 2018 and in 2021 that the 1.5℃ is the current deadline. Currently the clock is saying that we have 4 yrs and 450+ days before we hit the threshold, so not a lot of time but still enough before we hit a long lasting impact.

This clock has started a social media movement deemed #ActInTime, and this is a main source of educational development of the science behind the clock. One person cannot save the world by themselves. This clock has made the mission clear that it has to be society together to make these changes. Look up #ActInTime in socials to get more information.

There are multiple climate clocks around the world such as Seoul and Glasow, all with the same goal: to increase awareness of the pressing climate concern. This very large and public statement is trying to push the initiative to battle the effects of climate change before it is too late. Some of the ways that we can slow this include using more renewable resources such as solar, wind and water. In addition, increasing ESG investing and putting in place more government standards to use carbon neutral practices will be able to slow the rate of climate change. The 9 that are emphasized in the website, named lifelines are renewable energy, indigenous land and sovereignty, loss and damage, gender parity, fossil fuel divestment, regenerative agriculture, $ saved if we act now, 30×30 initiative, and end of fossil fuel subsidies.

This clock is meant to be alarming; it is meant for you to look up and take a second out of your daily community to contemplate what the future of our planet might hold. Yes it is something scary, but as society we must use this fear to drive more climate action and save the future for future generations to come. As many have said we have one planet and we better not waste it. So get up and do something about it.

Check out Climate Clock for more information.