Global temperatures in 2024 exceeded the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above preindustrial levels, raising urgent concerns about the effectiveness of current climate policies.
Raymond Zhong and Brad Plumer report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Last year marked the hottest on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.6 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
- Despite international agreements like the Paris accord, carbon dioxide emissions hit record highs in 2024.
- Experts warn that achieving the 1.5-degree goal may no longer be feasible without extreme emission cuts.
Key quote:
“Even if the world overshoots 1.5 degrees, and the chances of this happening are increasing every day, we must keep striving” to bring emissions to zero as soon as possible.
— Inger Anderson, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program
Why this matters:
Exceeding 1.5 degrees could lead to more devastating heat waves, water shortages and sea-level rise. Continued warming raises the stakes for vulnerable communities and ecosystems, making climate adaptation and mitigation more urgent than ever.
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