Below is reference to a paper from today (Dec 10th, 2024) and summary of their findings using AI based modeling. Further comments from myself will follow, SZ
Combining climate models and observations to predict the time remaining until regional warming thresholds are reached
Elizabeth A Barnes*, Noah S Diffenbaugh and Sonia I Seneviratne
Published 10 December 2024
Abstract
The importance of climate change for driving adverse climate impacts has motivated substantial effort to understand the rate and magnitude of regional climate change in different parts of the world. However, despite decades of research, there is substantial uncertainty in the time remaining until specific regional temperature thresholds are reached, with climate models often disagreeing both on the warming that has occurred to-date, as well as the warming that might be experienced in the next few decades. Here, we adapt a recent machine learning approach to train a convolutional neural network to predict the time (and its uncertainty) until different regional warming thresholds are reached based on the current state of the climate system. In addition to predicting regional rather than global warming thresholds, we include a transfer learning step in which the climate-model-trained network is fine-tuned with limited observations, which further improves predictions of the real world. Using observed 2023 temperature anomalies to define the current climate state, our method yields a central estimate of 2040 or earlier for reaching the 1.5 °C threshold for all regions where transfer learning is possible, and a central estimate of 2040 or earlier for reaching the 2.0 °C threshold for 31 out of 34 regions. For 3.0 °C, 26 °C out of 34 regions are predicted to reach the threshold by 2060. Our results highlight the power of transfer learning as a tool to combine a suite of climate model projections with observations to produce constrained predictions of future temperatures based on the current climate.
So, what are they saying? Basically they are saying that for most of the planet, we have already met the 1.5 deg C threshold, that by 2040 we could meet 2.0 deg C and by 2060, 3.0 deg C. This assumes continued progress towards net zero emissions but it is not clear if that is fully attained by 2050. Bottom line, they are saying that temperatures are rising faster than originally expected and hoped for. You may recall that in a post from a 2022, I predicted we would reach 2.7 deg C rise in the same time frame even with our best efforts.
However, let’s be realistic, we are not making significant enough efforts in reducing greenhouse gases emissions but rather just barely keeping the status quo due to rising demand. I think the chances of reducing GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 is near zero and net zero emissions by 2050 very low. This would require huge changes and cost to convert plus reduction of consumption of things which would have major economic consequences. Will First Worlders be willing to give up items and live on 50% less consumption? I don’t think so. What about the billions of 2nd and third Worlders and their right to a better secure lifestyle? On top of that, food production will be challenged along with livability due to heat stress in the lower latitudes? Millions, if not billions will be motivated to relocate if they are to survive and this will cause potential social upheaval. Not a pretty picture but a potential future reality.