A group of over 60 leading climate scientists worldwide warn that the world could surpass the symbolic global warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius within just three years if current carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels continue.
This warning comes from recent assessments on the state of global warming, highlighting the serious risk linked to uncontrolled burning of coal, oil, gas, and biomass. The 2015 international agreement, in which nearly 200 countries pledged to try to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, is now seriously threatened.
Climate change has already caused extreme weather events, such as the record-breaking heatwave in Britain in 2022 and rising sea levels threatening coastal communities. Professor Piers Forster, lead author of the study from the University of Leeds, stressed that “things are moving quickly in the wrong direction.”
In 2020, scientists estimated humanity could emit up to 500 billion tons of CO2 with a 50% chance of keeping warming to 1.5°C, but by early 2025, the carbon budget has shrunk to only 130 billion tons, making this goal more challenging than ever.
The global warming situation is critical and requires urgent action from all countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If current trends continue, irreversible consequences for climate, biodiversity, and human life are likely. Policies and investments focused on clean energy and reducing fossil fuel use are essential to avoid a climate crisis.