As new research emerges, we learn that Earth might break the 1.5C warming mark within 5 years. But that could be only temporarily.
WMO (the World Meteorological Organization) and Britain’s Met Office reveal a 40 % likelihood of the yearly average global temperature exceeding 1.5C over pre-industrial temperatures. How could that affect us?
Here is what you need to know.
A Warmer Earth, More Issues
As per the recent research’s findings, we should expect the annual average global temperature within 5 years to be around 1C warmer. That means 0.9C-1.8C warmer.
“Increasing temperatures mean more melting ice, higher sea levels, more heatwaves and other extreme weather, and greater impacts on food security, health, the environment and sustainable development,” explained Petteri Taalas, the WMO Secretary-General.
We can’t avoid it
The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update stated that the chance of breaching 1.5C had approximately doubled compared to a similar prediction from last year. So, it’s clear that’s inevitable.
Furthermore, the WMO explained that we should also expect more tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and higher rainfall in high-latitude areas. Practically, all this means that we will soon approach the temperature levels that the Paris Agreement wants to avoid. But, again, this is inevitable.
Back in 2016, for example, the temperatures recorded were the highest to date, breaking the 1.5C warming mark. Could this year become the hottest year, surpassing the warming mark way much more?
Only time can tell, but one thing is sure. We should raise awareness and try to find efficient ways to reduce the emissions to zero to halt global warming. Researchers had already released a statement discussing possible methods and actions of reducing emissions.
“[…] we need to hit the brakes on emissions now and stop global warming in the next 30 years or so,” said Myles Allen, a professor of geosystem science from the University of Oxford.
Earth’s future is in our hands. However, raising awareness about current issues is only the beginning.
