Global warming is on the cusp of crucial 1.5 °C threshold, suggest ice-core data

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03655-0

By Gemma Conroy

New research using Antarctic ice-core data suggests that human-induced global warming might be closer to the critical 1.5 °C threshold than previously thought. The study found that by 2023, warming had reached 1.49 °C above pre-industrial levels when using a more comprehensive pre-1700s baseline. This differs from the commonly used 1850-1900 baseline, which might underestimate early warming caused by rising carbon dioxide levels. The findings highlight the urgency of meeting targets set in the Paris climate agreement, as surpassing the 1.5 °C mark could lead to severe climate impacts. Accurate, near-real-time measurements of global temperature changes are crucial to inform immediate climate action.