by Daniel Brouse
The Guardian reports, “Many of the scientists envisage a ‘semi-dystopian’ future, with famines, conflicts and mass migration, driven by heatwaves, wildfires, floods and storms of an intensity and frequency far beyond those that have already struck.”
In a recent survey of climate scientists, the consensus suggests that global warming is on track to exceed 2.5 degrees Celsius this century, with some projections indicating a rise of over 5 degrees.
“I foresee significant societal upheaval within the next five years,” stated Gretta Pecl from the University of Tasmania. “We’ll face overwhelming challenges as extreme events become the norm, disrupting food production and beyond. The future seems increasingly bleak.”
Peter Cox from the University of Exeter emphasized, “Climate change isn’t waiting to become dangerous at 1.5 degrees Celsius – it already poses severe risks. Surpassing 2 degrees Celsius won’t signal ‘game over,’ but the urgency for action is dire.”
Nathalie Hilmi, representing the Monaco Scientific Centre, echoed the sentiment, asserting, “Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is imperative. We cannot afford to exceed this threshold.”
The experts unanimously stressed the urgent need for extensive preparations to safeguard communities from impending climate catastrophes. Leticia Cotrim da Cunha from the State University of Rio de Janeiro expressed deep concern, particularly regarding the potential human toll.
The 1.5 degrees Celsius target, intended to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, has served as a crucial reference point in global climate negotiations. However, with current policies setting the world on a trajectory for around 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming, the survey indicates widespread skepticism among IPCC experts regarding the likelihood of sufficient action to curb emissions.
Climate Scientist Survey 2024