By Robert Chris and Hugh Hunt --

Getting to net zero emissions by mid-century is conventionally understood as humanity’s best hope for keeping Earth’s surface temperature (already 1.2°C above its pre-industrial level) from increasing well beyond 1.5°C – potentially reaching a point at which it could cause widespread societal breakdown.

At least one prominent climate scientist, however, disagrees.

James Hansen of Columbia University in the US published a paper with colleagues in November which claims temperatures are set to rise further and faster than the predictions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In his view, the 1.5°C target is dead.

He also claims net zero is no longer sufficient to prevent warming of more than 2°C. To regain some control over Earth’s rising temperature, Hansen supports accelerating the retirement of fossil fuels, greater cooperation between major polluters that accommodates the needs of the developing world and, controversially, intervening in Earth’s “radiation balance” (the difference between incoming and outgoing light and heat) to cool the planet’s surface.

By Karen Zraick --

The courts have become one of the most important battlegrounds in the fight over planet-warming emissions. Here are prominent cases to watch.

The sector’s boom is one reason U.S. energy demand is projected to grow significantly for the first time in decades.

By Adam Aton

Traffic passes data centers in Ashburn, Virginia. The centers house the computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, including artificial intelligence. Image: Ted Shaffrey/AP

By Georgina Rannard, BBC climate reporter

A group of older Swiss women have won the first ever climate case victory in the European Court of Human Rights.

The groups, which are springing up across the country, allow people to talk through their emotions around environmental change.

From left, Andre Hirschler, Rosie Mae Turner and Sophia Powless at a climate cafe at Jonathan Kirsch’s apartment in Brooklyn in January.Credit...Roshni Khatri for The New York Times