Too late: Global warming target 'unachievable'
Scientists say we may have missed our chance to limit climate change, as Trump disbands his climate advisory committee

The world may have already missed its chance to avoid catastrophic levels of global warming, according to new research.
Using computer models to assess what needs to be done to restrict global warming to less than 2C, scientists found the planet is likely to overshoot the limits adopted by the Paris climate agreement unless unilateral efforts are undertaken to bring temperature rises under control with geo-engineering projects intended to change the climate for the better.
One suggestion is the creation of giant biological machines to grow vegetation which absorbs carbon, then burning the resulting biomass in power stations that capture the emissions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Writing in the journal Climate Change, researchers said this would require a "complete shift" to an energy system based on renewables, nuclear, hydrogen, and bio-energy with carbon capture and storage.
Scientists previously thought limiting global warming to 2C would avoid the most dangerous effects, "but there is increasing evidence that allowing it to go much above 1.5C could lock in considerable sea level rise for the next few centuries", says The Independent.
So far the planet has warmed by just under 1C in little over a century.
The latest warnings about the effects of global warming come as the Trump administration announced it is disbanding the federal advisory panel on climate change.
The 15-member committee of scientists, academics and local officials is part of the National Climate Association, which aims to help officials and policy makers integrate the US government's climate change analysis into their long-term planning.
Its four-year mandate expired on Monday and the Washington Post says it will not be renewed by the administration.
While many state and local officials have pressed the federal government for more concrete guidance on how to factor climate change into future infrastructure, "President Trump has moved in the opposite direction", says the paper. He recently signed an executive order overturning a federal requirement that projects built in coastal floodplains and receiving federal aid should take projected sea-level rises into account.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Christian extremism: Taking 'holy war' literally
Feature A self-proclaimed minister shot two lawmakers and kept a 'kill list' targeting Democratic officials and abortion providers
-
Iran: Is regime change possible?
Feature The U.S.-Israeli attack exposed cracks in Iran's regime
-
What to know about private equity in your 401(k)
the explainer BlackRock is making private investments available in employer-sponsored retirement plans
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump gives himself 2 weeks for Iran decision
Speed Read Trump said he believes negotiations will occur in the near future
-
What would a US strike on Iran mean for the Middle East?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION A precise attack could break Iran's nuclear programme – or pull the US and its allies into a drawn-out war even more damaging than Iraq or Afghanistan
-
US says Trump vetoed Israeli strike on Khamenei
Speed Read This comes as Israel and Iran pushed their conflict into its fourth day
-
After Israel's brazen Iran attack, what's next for the region and the world?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Following decades of saber-rattling, Israel's aerial assault on Iranian military targets has pushed the Middle East to the brink of all-out war
-
Why Israel is attacking Iran now
The Explainer A weakened Tehran and a distracted Donald Trump have led Benjamin Netanyahu to finally act against long-standing foe