2024 was the first single year to surpass the 1.5°C global warming threshold – now scientists predict that a year above 2°C is possible in the near future
Just for the sake of clarity, there is a difference between jumping above 2C during a year and the long-term average being above 2C, which is what we’re usually talking about when it comes to global warming. This headline, and the 1.5C headlines from 2023, tend to muddy the waters. Shit is bad and getting worse, but it’s not quite as bad as you might think at first glance.
As stupid as this sounds I think we (and really the media, but we know which side they’re on) should be doing this in F for US audiences. Saying “hey, it’s now 5°F hotter than it was in the 1970s” is more immediately meaningful — and the bigger number looks scarier too.
I'm curious about the scientific consensus continually undershooting. At a certain point, if you're always updating in one direction, shouldn't you overcorrect a bit?
the scientists made their models taking human behavior into account, but they've mistakenly modeled hunan behavior off of rational, informed individuals