A recent Stanford study employing artificial intelligence has provided new insights into the timeline of global warming. The study suggests that the Earth is likely to reach critical climate thresholds sooner than previously anticipated, even if emissions decline. According to the research, the global warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels could be crossed within the next 10 to 15 years. This finding aligns with the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to keep global warming “well below” 2 degrees Celsius.
The study used a novel approach, employing AI to predict climate change based on recent temperature observations around the world. This method differs from traditional climate models that use simulations or statistical techniques. The AI analysis predicts that even with a decline in emissions in the coming decades, there’s a significant chance that the Earth will warm by 2 degrees Celsius by the middle of this century.
This research highlights the urgency for rapid and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid more severe impacts of climate change. The researchers emphasize that every fraction of a degree in global warming intensifies the consequences for people and ecosystems, making it crucial to take action towards mitigating climate change.
The findings of this study underscore the power of using AI in climate science and the importance of ambitious climate policies to prevent crossing these critical thresholds.