Melting glacier symbolizes the urgent need for climate action to save future generations.

Urgent Climate Action: Why Staying Below 1.5°C is a Matter of Life and Death

Nico Varela in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 3 min read.

"The latest IPCC report is a stark reminder that we're running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change. Here's what you need to know and how you can help."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on October 8, highlighting that we have a mere twelve years to take decisive action to avoid catastrophic climate change. The core message is clear: the stakes are high, and the time to act is now.

Our planet has already warmed by 1°C above pre-industrial levels, resulting in significant harm to people, ecosystems, and livelihoods worldwide. To prevent even more dire consequences, we must limit warming to 1.5°C, as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement signed by 195 countries. Failing to meet this target will lead to catastrophic effects.

The IPCC's recent synthesis, based on over 6,000 scientific papers, underscores the numerous dangers of global warming, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, destruction of coral reefs, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, and extreme heat. Climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier,' exacerbating poverty, food insecurity, water stress, forced migration, and conflicts.

The Critical Differences: 1.5°C vs. 2°C Warming

Melting glacier symbolizes the urgent need for climate action to save future generations.

The report contrasts the effects of 1.5°C and 2°C warming. Even half a degree makes a significant difference.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake:

Sea Level Rise: A 10 cm difference, impacting coastal communities.
Displacement: 10.4 million fewer people displaced by 2100.
Premature Deaths: 190 million fewer premature deaths by 2050.
Poverty: Hundreds of millions fewer people forced into poverty by 2050.

Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires a drastic reduction in CO₂ emissions: at least 45% in the next 12 years compared to 2010 levels, achieving net-zero CO₂ production by 2050. This ambitious goal demands immediate action on multiple fronts, at all levels of society.

A Call to Action: What Can You Do?

The time for gradual change is over. We must organize as if we are facing an emergency, stepping out of our comfort zones to effect social, political, and economic change. By enlisting influential voices, divesting from fossil fuels, and mobilizing communities, we can demand and implement the necessary changes. The IPCC report is a clear call to action, urging each of us to take immediate steps to protect our planet and secure a sustainable future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1136/bmj.k4410, Alternate LINK

Title: Global Warming Must Stay Below 1.5°C

Subject: General Engineering

Journal: BMJ

Publisher: BMJ

Authors: Adam Law, Patrick Saunders, John Middleton, David Mccoy

Published: 2018-10-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main goal of the IPCC report, and why is it so critical?

The main goal of the IPCC report is to highlight the urgent need to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This target is critical because exceeding it will lead to catastrophic climate change impacts, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread harm to ecosystems and human populations. The report emphasizes that the time to act is now to avoid these severe consequences.

What are the key differences in impacts between a 1.5°C and a 2°C increase in global warming, as highlighted by the report?

The report contrasts the effects of 1.5°C and 2°C warming, showing that even a half-degree increase makes a significant difference. Key differences include a 10 cm difference in sea level rise, impacting coastal communities; 10.4 million fewer people displaced by 2100; 190 million fewer premature deaths by 2050; and hundreds of millions fewer people forced into poverty by 2050. These figures underscore the importance of the 1.5°C target.

What specific actions are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, according to the IPCC?

According to the IPCC, limiting warming to 1.5°C requires a drastic reduction in CO₂ emissions. This means reducing CO₂ emissions by at least 45% in the next 12 years compared to 2010 levels and achieving net-zero CO₂ production by 2050. This ambitious goal demands immediate action across multiple fronts and at all levels of society, including significant changes in energy production, industry, and individual behaviors.

How does climate change act as a 'threat multiplier,' and what are the implications?

Climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' by exacerbating existing challenges. It worsens poverty, food insecurity, water stress, forced migration, and conflicts. For example, rising sea levels and extreme weather events can displace communities, while changes in agricultural productivity can lead to food shortages and economic instability. These compounded effects create a complex web of interconnected crises, making it even more critical to address climate change urgently.

What actions can individuals take to contribute to the goals outlined in the IPCC report?

Individuals can take several actions to contribute to the goals outlined in the report. The report calls for stepping out of comfort zones to effect social, political, and economic change. This can include enlisting influential voices, divesting from fossil fuels, and mobilizing communities. It also involves supporting policies that promote sustainability, reducing personal carbon footprints through lifestyle changes (such as reducing consumption and using sustainable transport), and advocating for systemic changes.