A melting world map symbolizes the urgent threat of climate change.

Urgent Call: Can We Still Limit Global Warming to 1.5°C?

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Nico Varela in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists warn we're running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change. Discover the critical actions needed to stay below 1.5°C and protect our future."


The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released on October 8, delivers an urgent message: we have approximately twelve years to take decisive action, or we will face irreversible and catastrophic climate change.

This warning is based on two critical factors. First, the planet has already warmed by 1°C above pre-industrial levels, leading to significant adverse effects on communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods globally. Second, unless we drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the next 12 years, we risk exceeding the 1.5°C warming limit set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries. Even this threshold may not prevent disaster for many vulnerable ecosystems and populations.

The IPCC report underscores the potentially catastrophic consequences of failing to meet the 1.5°C target. The science is clear: anthropogenic global warming is real, and its effects are already being felt worldwide.

Why Is 1.5°C Such a Critical Threshold?

A melting world map symbolizes the urgent threat of climate change.

The science of anthropogenic global warming and its effects have been previously explained. The IPCC's new synthesis of more than 6000 recent scientific papers highlights once again the many dangers posed by global warming, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, destruction of coral reefs, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification and deoxygenation, and extreme heat. Crucially, climate change is a "threat multiplier" that exacerbates and intensifies poverty, food insecurity, water stress, forced migration, and conflict between states and communities.

The report contrasts the effects of 1.5°C and 2°C warming. It predicts a difference of 10 cm in sea level and 10.4 million displaced people by 2100, and a difference of 190 million premature deaths and hundreds of millions of people forced into poverty by 2050. The IPCC also discusses what is required to limit warming to 1.5°C. Its conclusion is stark: we must reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 45% in the next 12 years compared with 2010 levels and achieve net zero CO₂ production by 2050. This is a tall order, requiring action on multiple fronts at all levels of society—both local and global.

  • Decarbonize Energy Systems: Transition to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Transform Transportation: Promote sustainable transportation options, such as electric vehicles and public transit.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Adopt farming practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.
  • Reforestation: Implement large-scale reforestation projects to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Furthermore, despite the clear note of alarm in this report, it should be viewed as conservative and the result of political compromise. It does not acknowledge the possibility that plausible feedback loops may result in unpreventable, runaway global warming; nor does it mention the political obstacles caused by rising levels of anti-global nationalism and anti-science populism or the increasing prominence of climate change denialists in some governments, including the US and Australia. Only this month, President Trump questioned the scientific consensus on anthropogenic global warming and accused scientists of having a political agenda.

Taking Action: What Can We Do?

Although government action is crucial, so is civic action. In particular, doctors and other health professionals have a strong record of steering society to make difficult, unpopular, and at times expensive choices for the sake of public health and safety. This has historically included improved sanitation, housing, water treatment, and air quality and, in the 1980s, reducing the risks of nuclear war.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the critical warming threshold highlighted by the IPCC, and why is it so important?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Exceeding this threshold, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, risks triggering irreversible and catastrophic climate change, leading to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, destruction of coral reefs, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification, and increased threats to global communities and ecosystems.

2

What specific actions are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and how quickly must these changes occur?

To limit warming to 1.5°C, drastic reductions in CO₂ emissions are required. Specifically, CO₂ emissions must be reduced by at least 45% within 12 years compared to 2010 levels, achieving net-zero CO₂ production by 2050. This involves decarbonizing energy systems through renewable energy transition, transforming transportation to sustainable options, adopting sustainable agriculture practices, and implementing large-scale reforestation projects.

3

The report mentions the term "threat multiplier". How does anthropogenic global warming act as a threat multiplier?

Anthropogenic global warming acts as a "threat multiplier" by exacerbating existing societal challenges. It intensifies poverty, food insecurity, water stress, forced migration, and conflicts between states and communities. This means that the effects of climate change are not isolated but interact with and worsen other vulnerabilities, creating more complex and severe crises.

4

What are some of the potential consequences if the world fails to meet the 1.5°C warming target, according to the IPCC report?

Failing to meet the 1.5°C target could lead to catastrophic consequences. The report contrasts the effects of 1.5°C and 2°C warming, predicting significant differences, such as a 10 cm rise in sea level affecting 10.4 million displaced people by 2100, and a difference of 190 million premature deaths. Hundreds of millions of people could be forced into poverty by 2050.

5

Beyond government action, what role can individuals and professionals play in addressing anthropogenic global warming?

Civic action is crucial, and professionals like doctors and health experts can play a vital role. Historically, they have steered society towards difficult but necessary choices for public health and safety, such as improved sanitation and air quality. Their involvement can help drive societal changes and promote actions to mitigate anthropogenic global warming, complementing governmental efforts.

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