The last 12 months were the hottest on record, temporarily sending the world past a deeply symbolic mark.

For the first time, global warming has exceeded 1.5C across an entire year, according to the EU’s climate service.

World leaders promised in 2015 to try to limit the long-term temperature rise to 1.5C, which is seen as crucial to help avoid the most damaging impacts.

This first year-long breach doesn’t break that landmark Paris agreement, but it does bring the world closer to doing so in the long-term.

Urgent action to cut carbon emissions can still slow warming, scientists say.

“This far exceeds anything that is acceptable,” Prof Sir Bob Watson, a former chair of the UN’s climate body, told the BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

“Look what’s happened this year with only 1.5C - we’ve seen floods, we’ve seen droughts, we’ve seen heatwaves and wildfires all over the world.”

  • Captain Janeway@lemmy.world
    13·
    9 months ago

    I had hoped 8 years ago that we might turn this ship around. I knew we wouldn’t be able to fix it, but I thought we’d make an effort.

    Now I am just hoping I make enough money that my family can survive the bad times. I know that is not a very kind way to view the future, but I’m sure it’s going to come down to: can you afford the extra costs to survive this?

    Food will cost more. Water will cost more. Land will cost more. Insurance will cost more.

    It’s going to become very expensive to exist.