The 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target has received considerable press along with the El Niño this year. Reports claimed that the planet could soon cross this temperature threshold due to this natural climate phenomenon.
But even if the world’s average surface temperature warms by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius for a year, nothing dramatically different may happen – other than the heatwaves, floods, droughts, and similar events that are already happening. The bigger question is: where is all the end-of-the-world messaging coming from?
Humankind might do well with less hyperbole about the climate crisis. It is a serious challenge today, yes, but a constant drumbeat of alarmist messages may only exacerbate climate anxiety and leave people feeling helpless – especially the young ones, who should be dreaming about saving the planet (or space travel) instead.
