The latest calculations from several science agencies showing Earth obliterated global heat records last year may seem scary. But scientists worry that what’s behind those numbers could be even worse.

The Associated Press asked more than three dozen scientists in interviews and emails what the smashed records mean. Most said they fear acceleration of climate change that is already right at the edge of the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) increase since pre-industrial times that nations had hoped to stay within.

“The heat over the last calendar year was a dramatic message from Mother Nature,” said University of Arizona climate scientist Katharine Jacobs. Scientists say warming air and water is making deadly and costly heat waves, floods, droughts, storms and wildfires more intense and more likely.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 20 points 9 months ago (2 children)

"May" be worsening? I think it's abundantly clear that it is.

[–] BobVersionFour@kbin.social 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

There been a lot of No shit moment for a couple of month now like No shit the climate will get worse No shit trump and the GOP are fascist No shit people are happier when there is less car around where they live No shit incels need mental health help ( all that just from useless "research" and article i've seen today )

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Scientists can't take action based on observational assumptions. They need to run the data, perform the studies, and get the proof, so that they know their assumptions are correct. Only then do they start forming plans to address our problems. They're aware these are "no shit" conclusions, but they still need to perform the evaluations. Every once in awhile our assumptions turn out to be completely incorrect. The cost of trying to solve a problem from an incorrect understanding of it can be very high.