The havoc wreaked by heat on Earth is rapidly on the rise. A recent study has stated that if current trends continue, Earth’s temperature could rise by 4.9 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.

This alarming threshold will be breached even if countries uphold their pledges to curb pollution. The Arctic is bearing the brunt of this warming and will undergo irreversible changes.

Dirk Notz, a polar research professor at Hamburg University and co-author of the study, remarked, “Today we have the power to erase entire landscapes from the Earth."

He emphasised that understanding this power and responsibility places the Arctic’s future in our hands. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average, with dire consequences.

The study indicates that daily temperatures in the Arctic will surpass pre-industrial peaks, the Arctic Ocean will lose its ice cover for several months each summer, Greenland’s melting area will quadruple, and permafrost areas will shrink by half.

These changes will not be limited to ice and water; forests, wildlife, and entire ecosystems are at risk of destruction, alongside significant damage to human settlements and infrastructure.

Published in the journal Science, the study suggests that intensifying efforts to combat global warming could mitigate some of these losses. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2024 Arctic Report Card has revealed another troubling development: The Arctic is now emitting carbon dioxide instead of absorbing it. This alarming news has set off alarm bells among scientists.

In response to the Arctic’s intense heat, scientists are employing a new AI tool capable of predicting changes in Arctic sea ice up to a year in advance. This model aims to assist policymakers in devising strategies to protect this fragile region.

However, significant measures are required to halt this warming by the century’s end. Transitioning to clean and affordable energy sources is imperative. Scientists stress the importance of public participation in this endeavour, advocating for the installation of solar panels, the adoption of induction stoves, and the use of electric vehicles (EVs). These changes not only contribute to cooling the Earth but also reduce electricity bills.