Baku, Azerbaijan: As world leaders gather at COP29 for climate discussions, a series of recent studies has spotlighted urgent climate threats, with evidence suggesting Earth may have already hit the critical 1.5°C warming threshold. This alarming development raises concerns of irreversible changes to the environment, further intensified by 2024’s record-breaking temperatures.
A new analysis using Antarctic ice cores indicates that global temperatures may have reached the 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial levels, a benchmark that scientists have long viewed as a warning line for extreme climate risks. With global temperatures now close to 1.3°C above 1850-1900 averages, 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record.
Climate change is accelerating hurricane intensity, with warmer oceans fueling storms that can intensify rapidly. For instance, Hurricane Milton this year leaped from a Category 1 to a Category 3 storm within hours. Scientists are observing similar patterns in ocean basins worldwide, amplifying the risks of devastating coastal impacts.
Wildfires and Air Quality
Rising temperatures and drier conditions are leading to unprecedented wildfires, posing serious health risks. Recent research links toxic wildfire smoke to an estimated 12,000 deaths during the 2010s, with the study attributing 13% of wildfire-related deaths to climate-driven factors.
A fourth mass coral bleaching event the most widespread ever recorded is underway, endangering reefs around the world. This bleaching puts countless marine species at risk, as scientists fear that many of the world’s reefs may be beyond recovery if temperatures continue to rise.
Amazon Faces Severe Drought
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, vital to global biodiversity, is undergoing its most severe drought since 1950. River levels are at historic lows, with fires ravaging vast areas. Researchers warn that by 2050, up to 47% of the Amazon could experience conditions so severe that the ecosystem could transition to savanna-like landscapes.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which has long regulated Europe’s climate, is showing signs of a critical slowdown. Since 1950, AMOC has weakened by 15%, with recent studies suggesting it could be close to a tipping point that would destabilize climate patterns across Europe.
Melting Glaciers May Trigger Volcanic Eruptions
As glaciers retreat, pressure on the Earth’s crust eases, potentially destabilizing magma reservoirs. This phenomenon has been observed in Iceland, where scientists note that the melting of ice caps could lead to increased volcanic activity a threat that may impact 245 volcanoes globally located under or near ice.
In light of these findings, scientists and climate advocates are urging immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen global adaptation measures. COP29, hosted against this backdrop of rising climate threats, may be a decisive moment for the future of global climate action.
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