"A Hotter Future Is Certain, Climate Panel Warns. But How Hot Is Up to Us"

"Some devastating impacts of global warming are now unavoidable, a major new scientific report finds. But there is still a short window to stop things from getting even worse."

"Nations have delayed curbing their fossil-fuel emissions for so long that they can no longer stop global warming from intensifying over the next 30 years, though there is still a short window to prevent the most harrowing future, a major new United Nations scientific report has concluded.

Humans have already heated the planet by roughly 1.1 degrees Celsius, or 2 degrees Fahrenheit, since the 19th century, largely by burning coal, oil and gas for energy. And the consequences can be felt across the globe: This summer alone, blistering heat waves have killed hundreds of people in the United States and Canada, floods have devastated Germany and China, and wildfires have raged out of control in Siberia, Turkey and Greece.

But that’s only the beginning, according to the report, issued on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body of scientists convened by the United Nations. Even if nations started sharply cutting emissions today, total global warming is likely to rise around 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next two decades, a hotter future that is now essentially locked in."

Brad Plumer and Henry Fountain report for the New York Times August 9, 2021.

SEE ALSO:

"‘Nowhere To Run’: UN Report Says Global Warming Nears Limits" (AP)

"Sixth Assessment Report: Working Group I" (IPCC)

"Climate Change: IPCC Report Is 'Code Red For Humanity'" (BBC News)

"Major Climate Changes Inevitable And Irreversible – IPCC’s Starkest Warning Yet" (Guardian)

"Key Takeaways From The UN Report On The Climate Crisis" (CNN)

"Landmark U.N. Report Delivers Stark Warning On Climate Change, Says It’S ‘Code Red For Humanity’" (CNBC)

"Major Report Warns Climate Change Is Accelerating And Humans Must Cut Emissions Now" (NPR)

"U.N. Sounds Clarion Call Over Humans 'Irreversible' Impact On Climate" (Reuters)

"“It Is Unequivocal” Humans Are Driving Worsening Climate Disasters, Hundreds Of Scientists Said In A New Report" (BuzzFeed News)

"Humans Have Pushed The Climate Into ‘Unprecedented’ Territory, Landmark U.N. Report Finds" (Washington Post)

"5 Things To Know About The New Un Report On Climate Change" (AP)

"Leaders, Activists Alarmed, Not Surprised By Climate Report" (AP)

Source: NYTimes, 08/09/2021