päästökertymä

Päästökertymä is a Finnish term that translates to "emission accumulation" or "cumulative emissions." It refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that have been released into the atmosphere over a specific period. This concept is crucial in understanding the long-term impact of human activities on climate change. Unlike annual emissions, which measure the yearly release of pollutants, päästökertymä accounts for the persistent nature of these gases in the atmosphere. Once released, they can remain there for decades or even centuries, contributing to the warming of the planet.

The cumulative nature of these emissions means that even if current emissions were drastically reduced, the effects of past emissions would continue to be felt. Scientists use the concept of päästökertymä to estimate remaining carbon budgets, which are the total amount of additional carbon dioxide that can be emitted while still having a chance to limit global warming to a certain level, such as 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Understanding päästökertymä helps policymakers and researchers to set more effective climate targets and develop strategies for mitigation and adaptation. It emphasizes the need for immediate and sustained action to reduce greenhouse gas output.