Scientists are warning that the world has just two years left to prevent breaching the critical 1.5°C warming threshold. The remaining global carbon budget for a 66% chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C is now just 80 billion tonnes of CO₂. With global emissions currently around 46 billion tonnes per year, this budget could be fully depleted by late 2026 or early 2027.
Global average temperatures have already reached approximately 1.52°C above pre-industrial levels. The rate of warming is accelerating, currently at about 0.27°C per decade—double the rate seen in the 20th century. Scientists say this rapid increase in temperature is intensifying extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecological disruption.
Surpassing 1.5°C would result in more powerful storms, frequent heatwaves, widespread drought, and faster melting of polar ice. Small island nations and coastal regions are especially vulnerable to the long-term impacts of rising seas and displaced populations.
The upcoming COP30 climate summit in November 2025 will be a pivotal moment. Countries must commit to sharper emissions cuts and broader adoption of clean energy solutions. Climate leaders are emphasizing that the remaining time is short, but decisive action can still slow the worst effects.
Temporary overshoots of 1.5°C do not make climate efforts meaningless. Limiting warming to 1.6°C or 1.7°C can still prevent the most severe outcomes. Every fraction of a degree matters in determining the future stability of the planet.
The next two years will be critical. World governments, corporations, and individuals must act urgently to reduce emissions and support climate resilience strategies. Failure to act now will lock in a hotter, more dangerous world for generations to come.
