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TMI BlogWhy is 1.5 degree such a big deal?X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Why is 1.5 degree such a big deal? X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... and ideally to 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. Here's why it matters: * Extreme Weather Events: At 1.5°C, there will be more heatwaves, more intense storms, and more frequent droughts, but they will be less severe than if we hit 2°C or more. Even a small difference in temperature can have a huge impact on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. * Sea Level Rise ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... : A 1.5°C rise will still cause melting of glaciers and ice caps, leading to sea level rise. However, if temperatures increase beyond 1.5°C, this will accelerate the melting, displacing millions of people living in coastal areas. * Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Many ecosystems, like coral reefs, are extremely sensitive to even small temperature increases. At 1.5°C, we could lose up to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 70-90% of coral reefs, which provide crucial ecosystem services and biodiversity. At 2°C, nearly all coral reefs could be wiped out. * Food Security: A warmer world means that agricultural systems will be under more stress, especially in regions that are already vulnerable to droughts and changing precipitation patterns. At 1.5°C, we could see a significant decline in crop yields, espec ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ially in places like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. * Tipping Points: Scientists warn that if we cross the 1.5°C threshold, we risk triggering "tipping points" in the Earth's systems. These are self-reinforcing feedback loops, like the thawing of permafrost releasing more greenhouse gases, or the loss of the Amazon rainforest, which could then accelerate climate change even further. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... * Human Health: Climate change is linked to numerous health risks, from heat-related illnesses to the spread of diseases like malaria. At 1.5°C, the impacts are serious but still somewhat manageable; beyond that, public health systems could be overwhelmed. * Social and Economic Stability: Climate change can exacerbate inequality, push people into poverty, and create conflict over resources ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... like water and food. At 1.5°C, the poorest communities are at risk, but at 2°C and beyond, the damage could be far more widespread, creating instability globally. The 1.5°C target isn't just about minimizing damage-it's about protecting the most vulnerable and avoiding a situation where future generations are locked into a much harsher world than the one we live in now. So even th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ough it's an ambitious goal, it's seen as a necessary one to safeguard our planet's future. X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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