According to the latest scientific report, the earth is approaching the "point of no return" of climate change faster than expected. Scientists warn that once this threshold is crossed, global warming will enter a state of control, humans will be unable to reverse the situation, and the earth may be locked in a "hellish" "hothouse earth" state.
Researchers say continued global warming could trigger a series of climate tipping points, triggering chain reactions and feedback loops. This vicious cycle will cause global temperatures to rise far beyond the currently predicted 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, plunging the earth into a new and extremely hot climate pattern. This climate environment will be completely different from the mild climate that has nurtured human civilization for the past 11,000 years.
The current global average temperature is only 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but extreme weather has already taken a heavy toll in life and property around the world. Scientists said last week that existing economic and social systems would "cease to exist" if temperatures rise by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. Once it enters the "hothouse earth" mode, the situation will be even more catastrophic than this.
Dr. Christopher Wolf, a member of the research team and from the American Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Association, emphasized that there is currently a general lack of awareness among the public and political circles about the risks of crossing this "point of no return." His team also includes Professor Johan Rockström from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria.
The reason why scientists issued such a severe warning is that once the earth is on the path to a "greenhouse state", even if carbon emissions are significantly reduced in the future, it may not be able to reverse the process of climate collapse. While the challenges of drastically reducing fossil fuel burning immediately are huge, it is the only way to avoid catastrophe. Given that it is difficult to predict exactly when climate tipping points will be triggered, taking preventive measures has become crucial.