Is Our Planet Already 1.5 °C Warmer?

A study published in Nature Geoscience estimates that the Earth reached 1.49 °C of warming by 2023 when using a longer pre‑industrial baseline (years 13–1700), compared to the conventional 1850–1900 benchmark. This revised analysis implies we are essentially at the 1.5 °C Paris Agreement limit, raising concerns about irreversible climate impacts. Researchers used 2,000 years of ice core and proxy data to refine temperature baselines, capturing a more accurate pre‑industrial climate state. If warming surpasses 1.5 °C, models predict more extreme heatwaves, sea‑level rise, and ecosystem disruptions. The findings underscore the urgency for stronger emissions cuts and adaptation strategies worldwide "Reuters".