Summary

I'd like to draw your attention to two pivotal studies on climate change: the first conducted by researchers at a Potsdam institute in late 2012, and the second by American scientists a decade later. These studies offer insights into the accuracy of past climate change predictions. Let's examine the findings.

The last decade has been a watershed moment in climate research, shattering the convenient illusion that climate change is a distant problem reserved for future generations. Research now indicates that the rate of global warming is accelerating at 3.5 times faster than originally predicted. By 2031, the planet's average temperature is expected to rise by 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels. This is a critical tipping point that could make vast regions of the Earth uninhabitable. By the year 2040, up to 80% of the territories we currently occupy could be adversely impacted by changes in weather patterns, water scarcity, and uninhabitable conditions.

But the climate crisis is far from the only challenge we face. Geopolitical tensions are rising, with nations like China appearing to take a long-view approach to the impending climate emergency. Their support for Russia's military aggression against Ukraine is interpreted by some as a calculated move to secure arable land for future food production, taking into account Ukraine's advantageous elevated geography. The situation becomes even more volatile when considering the dynamics between Russia and China. As Russia loses ground in Ukraine, the likelihood of internal chaos and power struggles within Russia grows. This presents a precarious situation for China, which may have to consider aggressive actions against a weakened Russia to maintain regional stability and secure control over Russian territories, including its nuclear arsenal.

By the year 2030, another transformational force will arrive on the scene: artificial intelligence (AI). The mass adoption of AI in various industries is expected to displace a significant portion of the global workforce, adding fuel to the already smoldering economic and social tensions. Job loss and resource scarcity create a volatile cocktail that significantly raises the risk of conflicts over diminishing resources and opportunities.

Governmental apathy and a general lack of public interest compound these issues. Current incentives for adopting sustainable energy solutions like solar and geothermal are woefully inadequate. These are not merely "alternative" energy sources but will soon become the only energy sources available as fossil fuels become increasingly scarce. Therefore, the switch to sustainable energy isn't just an ethical or environmental choice; it's a practical necessity for human survival and geopolitical stability.

The convergence of these crises—climate change, geopolitical instability, AI-driven labor displacement, and inadequate sustainable development—suggests a multi-faceted global emergency is on the horizon. This emergency is not merely an environmental issue; it touches upon every aspect of human civilization, from ethics and geopolitics to basic survival needs. The need for comprehensive, globally coordinated action has never been more urgent. Without it, we risk plunging into a world marred by conflict, tyranny, and widespread human suffering.

1. On November 18, 2012 the World Bank has published a Report Examines Risks of 4 Degree Hotter World by End of Century https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2012/11/18/new-report-examines-risks-of-degree-hotter-world-by-end-of-century#:~:text=The%20report%20says%20that%20the,regions%2C%20especially%20in%20the%20tropics%3B

 Comprehensive Overview

The study titled "Turn Down the Heat," sponsored by the World Bank and authored by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, cautions that global temperatures could rise by 4 degrees Celsius by century's end. Such an increase could trigger disastrous outcomes like severe heat waves, dwindling food supplies, rising sea levels affecting millions, and a harsher impact on impoverished areas. Nevertheless, the study highlights that these dire scenarios can be averted, aiming for a less devastating increase of below 2 degrees Celsius through committed policy interventions. World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim underscores the ethical imperative to take action for the well-being of future generations.

Evaluation and Contextualization When initially published in 2012, the likelihood of the 4-degree warming was a subject of active debate. Yet as years have passed, subsequent research has underscored the validity of these warnings. If the current rate of temperature change continues, we are on course for an approximately 2-degree Celsius rise by 2031, making a 4-degree increase by 2040 increasingly likely.

Key Themes The report and its public reception place significant emphasis on impoverished communities, who are expected to bear the brunt of climate change. This focus aims to bring attention to the severe inequalities that could be worsened by global warming. Areas like agriculture, water resources, and public health are especially pertinent, as they directly impact livelihoods and basic necessities, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Research Approach and Findings The report melds scientific data with predictive models to offer evidence-based estimates of future global conditions. While compelling, this methodology has its detractors, who argue that these projections can sometimes miss the mark, either overestimating or underestimating real-world outcomes.

Ethical Obligations Jim Yong Kim, the President of the World Bank Group, places great importance on the ethical obligation to take meaningful action. His statement appeals to a sense of universal moral duty that transcends geographical and generational boundaries.

Financial Roadmap At the time, the World Bank proposed a multi-faceted financial strategy. This included redirecting over $1 trillion from fossil fuels and other detrimental subsidies towards more sustainable initiatives and enhancing spending on eco-friendly infrastructure. However, these proposals largely remained theoretical and did not translate into tangible changes. It's also worth noting that human activity accounts for only around 2% of global warming, with natural phenomena like gravitational forces and Earth's precessional cycle playing a larger role.

Adaptation and Mitigation The report emphasizes the necessity of both adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Mitigation focuses on reducing contributing factors, while adaptation prepares for the inevitable changes. The report's integrated approach to both is significant.

Unfolding Challenges It's alarming to note that many of the challenges indicated in the report are already becoming reality, particularly early indicators of extreme weather and shifting agricultural trends. This lends credence to the report's foresight and heightens the urgency of its calls for action.

Policy Options for Progress: Effective Policy Measures Concrete, actionable policies rather than mere pledges are essential to tackle the climate crisis adequately. Various instruments like carbon pricing, emissions trading, and direct regulations could facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels.

Innovative Solutions Technological progress in areas like renewable energy, sustainable farming, and climate-resilient infrastructure could make a substantial impact in mitigating climate risks.

Grassroots Initiatives Public consciousness and activism serve as significant catalysts for policy change. Social movements play a vital role in propelling climate action.

Final Thoughts Almost a decade after the release of the "Turn Down the Heat" report, its insights and predictions seem increasingly pertinent. The report offered a holistic view of the urgent need to address climate change, spotlighting ethical obligations and the heightened risks to disadvantaged communities. As its forecasts increasingly come to pass, it serves as a compelling call to action. The overarching message is clear: the period for mere discussion has passed; the imperative for decisive action is now.

2. On January 30, 2023 Noah S. Diffenbaugh and Elizabeth A. Barnes published an article “Data-driven predictions of the time remaining until critical global warming thresholds are reached” (see, accessed on September 18, 2023 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2207183120.)

Their research paper seems to utilize machine learning techniques to predict when certain critical global warming thresholds will be reached.

Key points:

1.      Methods: The authors use artificial neural networks (ANNs) trained on climate model output. They leverage the spatial patterns of historical temperature observations to predict when global warming thresholds (1.5°C and 2°C above preindustrial levels) will be breached.

2.      Timing: Their estimates indicate that the 1.5°C threshold will likely be crossed between 2033 and 2035 under an intermediate climate forcing scenario. This aligns well with other assessments.

3.      Substantial Risk: Even under low greenhouse gas emission scenarios, there is a significant chance that the 2°C threshold may still be surpassed.

4.      Explainable AI: The authors also use Explainable AI methods to identify which geographical regions the neural network focuses on when making its predictions.

5.      Uncertainty & Policy Implications: The timing of these thresholds is critical for policy decisions, not only for mitigation but also for adaptation strategies.

6.      Broad Impact: They acknowledge that the thresholds are significant for a variety of climate risks, including human health, economic growth, and extreme climate events.

Artificial Neural Network (ANN), to predict time-to-threshold for different levels of global warming based on multiple climate forcing scenarios. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Methodology

1.      Climate Models and Scenarios: The study employs ensembles of global climate models under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) to represent high, intermediate, and low climate forcing scenarios.

2.      ANN Training: The ANN is trained to predict the number of years until global temperatures reach a certain threshold, like 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, based on maps of annual temperature anomalies.

Results

1.      Time-to-Threshold: Using the ANN, the researchers predict that the 1.1 °C threshold, which represents the current approximate level of global warming, could be reached by the year 2022 under the high climate forcing scenario. This is validated using observed temperature maps.

2.      Other Thresholds: The predicted time-to-threshold for 1.5 °C is between 2030-2040, and for 2 °C, it's between 2043-2065, varying slightly depending on the climate scenario considered.

3.      Slope: The study finds a slope of around -1 year/year over the past 15 years for both the 1.5 and 2.0 °C thresholds in the high scenario, suggesting a steady march towards these thresholds.

4.      Uncertainty: The low climate forcing scenario (SSP1-2.6) shows the greatest uncertainty in the time-to-threshold predictions, likely due to a lower signal-to-noise ratio.

Attribution

The study also uses Explainable AI (XAI) to highlight geographical areas that contribute significantly to faster or slower times to reach global warming thresholds. For instance, regions like the Tibetan Plateau and western North America contribute to a faster time-to-threshold, whereas regions like the Indian Peninsula contribute to a slower time-to-threshold.

Implications

This work could have significant policy implications, providing a tool for decision-makers to understand how quickly different global warming thresholds might be reached under different scenarios. It emphasizes the need for rapid and robust climate action to prevent reaching dangerous levels of global warming.

Merging the Scenarios. Summary:

The scientific article focuses on the empirical analysis of extreme weather events and their increasing occurrence with rising global temperatures. The authors, N.S.D. and E.A.B., demonstrate through computational models that higher temperatures significantly elevate the frequency of extreme weather events, like heatwaves and storms. They show that extreme temperatures, which were once rare, are now becoming increasingly common due to climate change. In contrast, the World Bank report, "Turn Down the Heat," provides a more comprehensive view of the catastrophic impact of a 4°C warmer world. It warns of dire scenarios, such as rising sea levels, food scarcity, and extreme weather conditions, significantly affecting vulnerable populations.

Discussion:

Empirical Evidence vs. Projections

The scientific article provides a sense of cautious optimism by presenting empirical data that can inform policy decisions. It offers solid evidence that can't be ignored and pushes for quick action, substantiating its arguments with data, computational models, and climate simulations. On the other hand, the World Bank's report is more alarming and seeks to motivate immediate action by outlining the devastating effects of climate change, particularly on vulnerable communities. It operates more on projections and scenarios, less grounded in empirical data but equally vital.

Scale and Scope

The article focuses on a specific issue—increased frequency of extreme weather events—thereby narrowing down the enormous problem of climate change to something more tangible. This specificity may be more digestible for policymakers. Conversely, the World Bank report paints a broader brush, encapsulating myriad problems from sea-level rise to food scarcity, perhaps aiming to shake people out of complacency.

Target Audience

The article aims at a scientific community, focusing on methodological rigor, data analysis, and empiricism. The World Bank's report targets a broader audience, aiming to initiate policy change at the governmental level and sensitize the public about the catastrophic consequences of inaction.

Various Options for Development:

Policy Changes

Both reports indicate that policy changes are crucial. The article leans more towards data-driven policy decisions, whereas the World Bank proposes immediate and sweeping changes, such as smarter energy use, carbon pricing, and more.

Technological Interventions

The scientific article's findings could be used to develop new climate-resilient technologies. The World Bank suggests that greener growth opportunities are available for every country, which also implies a technological pathway.

Social Responsibility

The World Bank emphasizes the moral responsibility to act, especially to protect the most vulnerable. The article, while not explicit, provides the data necessary for informed moral decisions.

Global Cooperation

Both reports underline the need for global action, but from different vantage points. The article offers data that could be a basis for international cooperation, while the World Bank calls directly for a "global response."

Comparative Reflection:

While the scientific article leans towards empirical findings and specific outcomes, the World Bank report leans on the catastrophic projections of a world that does not act soon enough. Both serve as two sides of the same coin: one illuminates the path with data, and the other shows what lies at the end of the path if left unaltered.

The article's optimism stems from its methodology and focus. By concentrating on empirical data, it suggests that we have the tools and the knowledge to make informed decisions. In contrast, the World Bank report's tone is more alerting because its broader scope encompasses an array of calamities that could overwhelm human civilization.

Conclusion:

The scientific article and the World Bank report both serve as crucial guides to understanding the future that awaits us if action is not taken against climate change. While the scientific article provides a somewhat optimistic view based on data and empirical evidence, the World Bank report serves as a dire warning of what could happen if those data and facts are ignored. These contrasting perspectives should not be viewed as contradictory but complementary. Together, they provide a comprehensive picture: data-backed, actionable insights from the article, and a broader, moral impetus for action from the World Bank. This duality is what makes their combined message both compelling and urgent, offering different avenues—policy, technology, social responsibility, and global cooperation—for humanity to fight climate change effectively.

In short, the last decade of active research on climate change, several critical factors stand out:

A) There was a general belief that climate change would largely affect future generations, projected to unfold over a span of decades or even a century. This contributed to a certain complacency, as many assumed that they would not have to deal with the crisis within their lifetime.

B) This assumption has been devastatingly incorrect. Research shows that the pace of climate change is actually 3.5 times faster than initially expected. By 2031, global temperatures are projected to reach a threshold of 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, a point that could make much of the planet uninhabitable. By 2040, an estimated 80% of current territories could be adversely affected.

C) China appears to be fully aware of these projections, as evidenced by their geopolitical strategies. Their support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine could be interpreted as a move to secure future food production zones, given Ukraine's elevated position above sea level. Furthermore, the risk of China taking overtly aggressive actions against Russia is increasingly high, especially considering Russia's current failures on the battlefield in Ukraine. This situation puts Russia at risk of internal strife, potentially leaving it vulnerable to China's ambitions. The idea of 4,500 nuclear warheads falling into the hands of unknown ex-combatants is a scenario that China would likely find undesirable.

D) By 2030, we also face another existential threat: the displacement of human labor by artificial intelligence. The combination of this economic upheaval with escalating resource scarcity creates a potent formula for potential conflicts.

The current trajectory suggests not just a climate crisis but a multifaceted global emergency encompassing AI ethics, geopolitical tensions, and basic human survival. Our lack of interest and the scant incentives provided by governments for adopting sustainable energy solutions aren't merely about "saving the bees" or protecting nature for its own sake. They're about ensuring that future generations have a planet to live on, and ideally one that isn't marred by tyranny, conflict, and suffering.

Sustainable solutions like solar and geothermal energy aren't just ethical choices; they're practical necessities. As fossil fuel resources deplete, these technologies aren't just 'alternative energies'—they will be the only energies. Therefore, a shift toward sustainable living isn't just a moral imperative but a practical one, necessary for the avoidance of catastrophic conflict and suffering.