This heatwave is a climate omen. But it’s not too late to change course

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in The Guardian or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: "Dangerous climate change" is now a reality, evident through unprecedented floods, heatwaves, and wildfires across the globe
• This year's harsh weather conditions reaffirm the climate crisis warnings given 30 years ago

🔭 The context: Record-breaking heatwaves have scorched Europe, North America, and Asia, with wildfires raging from Canada to Greece
• At the same time, severe flooding has hit South Korea, Japan, and north-eastern United States, showcasing the extreme climate events happening worldwide

🌎 Why it matters for the planet: The climate crisis is endangering lives and the environment
• With the record-breaking loss of winter sea ice, alarming warmth in the North Atlantic, and an increase in extreme weather events, it's clear the climate is responding to our failure to curb fossil fuel use

⏭️ What's next: Current trends indicate we're approaching dangerous "tipping points" that could cause irreversible damage, such as the disintegration of ice sheets
• If we stop adding carbon pollution, models show the warming of Earth’s surface will halt

💬 One quote: "Yes, we have failed to prevent dangerous climate change. It is here. What remains to be seen is just how bad we’re willing to let it get." (Michael E Mann, professor of earth and environmental science at The University of Pennsylvania)

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