World Enters Unprecedented Phase of Global Warming Amid Climate Change Worries

A team of scientists has issued a warning that the world is entering a new era of global warming, with last year's record-breaking temperatures hinting at severe consequences of climate change.

According to researchers, crossing the 1.5C threshold set by the Paris Agreement would signal a significant increase in extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and human suffering. The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that 2024 was the first full calendar year above 1.5C of global warming.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2C, but experts warn that temperatures have already risen by 1.3C, nearing the last 125,000 years without this level of warming. The long-term goal is to achieve a rolling average over 20 or 30 years to smooth out year-on-year temperature variability.

Scientists using observational data and computer modeling have found that historical patterns suggest that crossing 1.5C may mark an "early warning" of the long-term limit at risk. According to one study, most probable Earth has already entered a 20-year period at 1.5C warming by the end of this year, with an official breach possible within the next decade unless drastic measures are taken to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

The findings come as countries missed the deadline to submit emissions-cutting plans for the decade ahead that align with 1.5C. Containing global warming to this level would limit its most catastrophic consequences. Natural disasters caused $310 billion in damage last year, and fires in Los Angeles alone could top $250 billion this year.

Europe's Copernicus monitor reported that winter temperatures surpassed expectations, surprising climate scientists who had expected a La Nina-induced cooling influence. The heat shows no sign of abating, with coral reefs projected to decline by 70-90 per cent, and up to 14% of terrestrial species facing extinction risks.

"We are at a critical juncture where unless rapid action is taken, 2024 will be remembered not as an anomaly, but as the beginning of a new climate era – one defined by escalating risks," warned Prof. William Ripple from Oregon State University.