Subscribe now

Environment

Is climate change accelerating and is it worse than we expected?

With temperature records tumbling, it is only natural to worry about cascading tipping points, but the reality is far more nuanced

By Michael Le Page

16 August 2023

Melting icebergs near Horseshoe Island in Antarctica in February

Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Unprecedented bouts of extreme weather and related events around the world raise the question of whether climate scientists have underestimated how fast the world is warming and how severe the consequences will be. Here are the key facts you need to know.

Is the world warming faster than we expected?

No, it isn’t. The rise in the average global surface temperature measured so far is well within the range that climate models have projected for levels of greenhouse gases that resemble those…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account