@VictorVenema
> I do not know why you think I am optimistic

I misinterpreted your "unprecedented action"

> You do not want people to think that climate action is futile because we are all going to die anyway.

I just think current narrative favors the "slowly boiling frog" too much in the population and that saying global north missed the 1.5 window and may miss 2 could incite action.

> I have seen activists move to saying every 0.1°C we avoid is precious. That is good.

That is good indeed.

@VictorVenema
Ok I think I understand.
I think it's a misunderstanding: for me the letter says that 1.5 was a good thing 7 years ago but saying we will respect it today makes people think current and even promised actions are sufficient.
This would enable companies and government carry on insufficient actions while saying they'll manage.
It is to fight against that that several governments were sued for climate inaction.

@VictorVenema
Interesting... That is not the experience I have had so far: even today, saying that we won't meet the 1.5 limit is still difficult in the academic community in my experience (well, except among certain circles with somewhat increased awareness).
Would you have some specific links about that?

As for developing countries, I also did not know, but good for them: they'll need all the leverage they can get to cope with what's coming!

I see 1/2 but 2/2 does not seem to appear here :(

@VictorVenema
French political programs this year were all very far from 1.5 or 2°C-compatible for all except 2 groups. These groups were not elected and did not get a majority.
US barely avoided catastrophe and what was passed (though better than nothing) is far from sufficient.
In Europe, coal plants are being reopened due to gas shortage, and CAP was a disaster.
I don't know about Germany, but elsewhere, public transportation and renovation are not on track.

@VictorVenema
Ah, here it is!
I'm not sure what you mean by "unprecedented action", I've seen no major changes except covid in CO2 emissions curves since 2010-2011 (I.e. post 2008-crisis).

As for XR... Well sure, XR is far from the alpha and omega of environmental action and lobbying ;)
Some civil disobedience and more general activist groups have existed for decades and most are older than XR ;)

I think what is meant is that if we say 1.5 is still on, then what we're doing now is OK, so BAU

@VictorVenema
> The climate and market economies are slow systems.

Exactly, and for public transportation, moving away from combustion and individual transportation requires major decisions and actions over years. Such actions are not being undertaken in most Western countries.

The absence of binding legislations in the major sectors (agriculture, transportation, buildings, energy) is why I fail to understand your optimism.