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Scientists warn that the world has only two years remaining of its carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5C, based on current emission rates. Exceeding this limit would dramatically worsen extreme weather events and necessitate future carbon removal. Reaching a 66% chance of staying below 1.5C requires an 80% emission reduction from 2020 levels by 2025. Current trends show a far higher increase, pushing the planet toward a catastrophic 2.7C rise. While renewable energy sources are expanding, energy demand is rising faster, continuing the reliance on fossil fuels. The study, published in Earth System Science Data, highlights a 25% increase in Earth's energy imbalance over the past decade and a doubling of sea level rise.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.