Polar Ice Sheets: The Paris Agreement's Target May Not Be Enough

Scientists have a warning for the world. Sea levels might rise much faster than expected. This could happen within the lifetime of today's youngest people. Some places might see sea levels go up by 8 to 12 inches every ten years. This is a big problem for coastal communities. They might not be able to keep up with the changes. The Paris Agreement set a goal to limit global warming to 2. 7° Fahrenheit (1. 5° Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. This target might not be enough to save the polar ice sheets. A stricter goal could be needed to keep the climate safe in the long run. Some experts suggest aiming for a temperature increase of around 1. 8° Fahrenheit. This idea is not new. Scientists have been talking about the risks of warming for a long time. Back in the 1990s, studies warned about the dangers of exceeding 1° Celsius of warming. They also talked about the risks of having more than 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air. These warnings are becoming more relevant as the Earth's temperature keeps rising. The Earth's average global temperature has been close to or above the Paris Agreement's target for nearly two years straight. This is a clear sign that the current goals might not be strict enough. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has also reached a high level. It is now at 430 parts per million, which is 50% more than it was before the industrial revolution. It is crucial to think critically about these issues. The science is clear. The Earth is warming, and it is happening faster than expected. The Paris Agreement is a good start, but it might not be enough to protect the polar ice sheets. The world needs to consider more ambitious goals to keep the climate safe for future generations.