Point of no return: a hellish 'hothouse Earth' getting closer, scientists say
5 hours ago
- #global warming
- #tipping points
- #climate change
- The world is nearing a 'point of no return' where runaway global heating becomes unstoppable.
- Continued global heating could trigger climate tipping points, leading to a cascade of further tipping points and feedback loops.
- A 'hothouse Earth' scenario would result in a climate far worse than the projected 2-3C temperature rise.
- Current global heating of 1.3C is already causing extreme weather events, with 3-4C potentially making society and the economy unrecognizable.
- Public and policymakers are largely unaware of the risks of passing the point of no return.
- Reversing course may be impossible once the path to a hothouse Earth is begun, even if emissions are eventually reduced.
- Climate tipping points are difficult to predict, making precautionary measures vital.
- Global temperatures may already be as warm as or warmer than any point in the last 125,000 years.
- Carbon dioxide levels are likely the highest they have been in at least 2 million years.
- Tipping points may already be occurring in Greenland and West Antarctica, with others like the Amazon rainforest on the verge.
- Current climate action commitments are insufficient to prevent dangerous and unmanageable outcomes.
- The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is weakening, increasing the risk of Amazon dieback and further global warming.