Long-term Warming Projections Increase When Including Regional Temperature Differences

Nature, January 4

Warming does not occur evenly across the world. Regional differences in temperature can influence the way the Earth sends its heat back into space and temporarily dampens the planet’s response to increasing emissions, therefore masking a warmer future. This feedback, not included in most models, has the potential to increase long-term estimates for committed warming. More research is needed on the exact temperature increase to which we may already be committed as a result of this added feedback, and therefore how much of the carbon budget remains to avoid overshooting the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-00955-x

Compiled by Amy Imdieke.