Why in news
The world may have already crossed the 1.5°C warming threshold above pre-industrial levels, risking irreversible and extreme climate consequences.
Research based on ice core data suggests the baseline should extend to the period between 13 to 1700 CE, indicating warming is nearly 1.3°C above historical averages.
Oceanic and Forest Trends:
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean current, has weakened by 15% since 1950, with recent studies suggesting it is nearing a critical slowdown.
Forests globally, including the Amazon, are failing to absorb carbon dioxide as efficiently as in the past.
Droughts and wildfires have exacerbated the stress on ecosystems.
Coral Reefs and Wildfires:
Mass coral bleaching events have intensified, potentially crossing the point of no return for reefs.
Wildfire smoke linked to climate change was responsible for 13% of deaths in the 2010s due to toxic exposure.
The Amazon’s Crisis:
Severe drought and fires in 2024 drove river levels to record lows, pushing the rainforest closer to a tipping point, risking its transition into degraded forests or savannas.
Volcanic Activity:
Rapid glacier retreat in Iceland has been linked to increased volcanic activity, showcasing unexpected consequences of warming.
Key Insights
Accelerated climate effects demand urgent global and national policy action.
Ecosystem thresholds, like the Amazon's resilience, could be breached without timely intervention.
Ocean circulation changes could disrupt global weather and economies, particularly in Europe.
Mount Etna, or simply Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania.
It is located above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate
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