The planet is even closer to catastrophe than scientists previously predicted, according to a new report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report, that took 3 years to create and included 91 authors from 40 countries, says the planet will reach the crucial threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as early as 2040. Scientists predict that any higher than 1.5°C and the effects will be irreversible. “There is extreme urgency and countries were giving their pledges after the Paris agreement and so far, the progress has not been good enough,” said World Meteorological Organizations secretary, Petteri Taalas.
