The world will have a 40% chance of experiencing at least one year that is 1.5°C hotter than the pre-industrial level, which is the lower limit of the Paris Agreement on climate change. This could lead to more extreme heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods around the globe.
The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will continue to melt at increased rates, contributing to sea level rise and ocean acidification. Some coastal areas and small island nations will face the risk of inundation and erosion, affecting millions of people and ecosystems.
The demand for water, food, and energy will grow as the population increases, but the supply will be constrained by the changing climate. Water scarcity, crop failures, and power outages will pose challenges for many regions, especially in the developing world. This could trigger social unrest, migration, and conflict over scarce resources.
The world will need to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit further warming. This will require major transitions in the energy sector, as well as in transportation, industry, and agriculture. However, some countries may resist or delay these changes due to economic, political, or social factors.
These are some of the potential scenarios that could occur in 2025, but they are not inevitable. The future of the climate depends on the actions that we take today and in the coming years.
