'It is a ticking time-bomb': Earth warming faster than ever at 0.2°C per decade
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Kincer’s Question
In 1933, meteorologist Joseph Kincer asked if the climate was changing. His study of rising temperatures laid the foundation for today’s climate science, sparking a global quest to understand human impact on the planet.
Callendar’s Discovery
By 1938, British engineer Guy Callendar linked a 0.3°C warming over 50 years to coal burning. His work built on greenhouse effect theories, identifying carbon dioxide as a key driver of climate change.
Credit: Wikipedia
Warming Accelerates
It took a century for Earth to warm by 0.3°C, but just 60 years to warm by 1°C. The planet is now heating at its fastest rate in recorded history, signaling an unprecedented climate shift.
Global View
Modern climate tracking uses satellites, weather stations, and forecast models to create a precise picture of warming trends. These tools confirm the rapid acceleration of Earth’s changing climate.
Polar Extremes
Not all regions warm equally. The Arctic is heating up to four times faster than the global average, while oceans lag behind. Land, too, warms faster, amplifying regional climate impacts.
Decades of Data
From 1970 onward, the planet has warmed at 0.2°C per decade. Despite cooling periods influenced by aerosols and natural cycles, the last two years suggest warming may now be accelerating.
Record Heat
2023 and 2024 are on track to be the warmest years since records began in the 19th century, nearing the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. COP29 negotiators face mounting pressure.
Future Unfolds
The transition to La Niña may cool 2025 slightly, but long-term trends point to continued warming. Scientists predict Earth will surpass 1.5°C in the next decade if emissions aren’t curbed.
The Tipping Point
Our choices now are critical. Limiting warming to 1.6°C or 1.7°C requires immediate action. Beyond that, higher temperatures bring devastating consequences, from melting ice caps to global food insecurity.