What is the Climate Clock?

The climate clock is a visual countdown of the time we have left to take action before climate change reaches a tipping point that will result in damages that lasts for centuries. It is why the countdown has been coined “the most important number in the world.”

You will see two different sets of numbers on the climate clock widget. The number in red is the carbon budget. The carbon budget is the remaining amount of carbon emissions from human activities before increasing a global average temperature. Reaching beyond that amount will result in devastating climate chaos, which is why it is set as a deadline with a countdown. At the time of writing, the climate clock has just fallen to less than seven years left.

On the other hand, the number in blue will counter the countdown. A set of three numbers represent the activities that will negate anthropogenic carbon emissions. They are renewable energy (against the burning of fossil fuels,) protection of land belonging to indigenous people (against the decrease of natural carbon sinks,) and the upholding of the Green Climate Fund (developed countries helping developing countries make a green shift.)

Other than a digital climate clock that websites can place anywhere, several physical clocks are also placed at significant landmarks worldwide. In Japan, the successful crowdfunding by a(n)action will allow the placement of various small-scale climate clocks in various locations in Shibuya City center. As of this update, four climate clocks are in Shibuya currently.