COP26: The Climate Crisis and the Urgent Need for Action

It is clear that a transition to a net-zero economy by mid Century is urgently required if we are to constrain global warming to another half of a degree. Even under this ‘best case’ scenario, the manifestation of global warming – as seen in fires, heatwaves and flooding – will get worse. There are significant implications for environmental sciences under this scenario in both the transition itself, the likely change that is ‘locked in’, and the greater problems that can be avoided with firm action. This collection with consider these aspects of the transition, from the viewpoint of each of our sections. The articles will be succinct accounts of why and how a net-zero transition can be achieved, and will be a valuable contribution to the wider understanding of the problem by those whose expertise isn’t necessarily in environmental science.

This article collection is upon invitation only with contributions selected in advance and managed by the Editorial office and the Chief Editors. Interests to contribute to this article collection should be directed to environmentalscience@frontiersin.org

Photo by Pete Bucktrout, British Antarctic Survey.

Keywords: COP26, Net zero, Climate crisis, Climate change, Environmental Science

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.