Climate 'feedback loops' could worsen global warming by 30%, study finds
21 days ago
- Rising global temperatures from fossil fuels are transforming forests, wetlands, and tundra, causing them to release emissions that could worsen global heating by 20% to 30% by century's end.
- Natural feedback loops, such as permafrost thaw, wildfires, and wetland warming, release methane and CO2, amplifying climate change but are largely unaccounted for in current climate projections.
- This additional warming could add 0.2C to 0.4C to global temperatures, increasing risks of severe heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
- Climate policies currently underestimate future warming because they ignore emissions from natural sources like permafrost, wetlands, freshwaters, and wildfires.
- Reducing fossil fuel pollution can still lessen these additional emissions, but current policies may lead to a 2.6C temperature rise, causing severe disruption.