As the world slowly emerges from the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, a variety of environmental issues have come to the forefront of public debate, none more pertinent than the question of whether global warming is slowing down in 2021. While some hold fast to the notion that the planet’s gradual shift towards increased temperatures will continue unimpeded and that the issue of climate change is still a pressing concern, others are a bit more optimistic, citing recent studies that have suggested a slowing in the rate of global warming and now dispute the strength of the link between human activity and climate change.
First and foremost, it is important to note that the Earth’s climate has warmed at an accelerated rate in the past decades, and this worrying trend is estimated to continue for the foreseeable future. Global surface temperatures have risen by over one degree Celsius since the 1880s, and if current trends continue, by the end of the century the planet will be 1.5 degrees warmer on average than it was pre-industrial.
However, in recent years, scientists have noted a decrease in the rate at which the planet is heating up, suggesting the effects of global warming may be less severe than originally feared. This “pause” in global warming was first noticed in the early 2000s, and its cause remains obscure. While some researchers have stuck to the traditional narrative that this decrease is due to the ocean taking up more heat, another theory holds that natural variations of climate such as El Niño and La Niña could be to blame.
Whatever the cause, the slowing of global warming in 2021 could have serious implications for governments’ commitments to reduce emissions and their efforts to combat climate change. After all, if global warming shows signs of slowing, the urgency for countries to cut down emissions might be reduced. This could mean that emissions targets, set as part of the Paris climate agreement and recently adopted by the European Union, may not be as tightly enforced in coming years.
Nevertheless, experts in the field have remained adamant that this respite from global warming should not be taken as a sign to take our foot off the pedal. Despite the overall slowing down of global warming, temperatures in individual places may still be erratic and difficult to predict. Furthermore, with green energy solutions still far too expensive and inaccessible to many, it is likely that emissions will continue to rise regardless, potentially deepening the crisis.
Furthermore, any potential benefits of the “pause” in global warming may be erased in the coming years if current trends continue, as the rate of global warming is estimated to grow once again in the years to come. Even if the temporary warming pause looks set stay, this does not mean that climate change is a lesser issue than it was in years past.
Ultimately, climate change remains a pressing issue and the implications of global warming remain both serious and substantial. While some appear to be breathing a sigh of relief at the slowing temperatures, any sense of complacency must be dispelled. On the contrary, this short term “pause” in global warming should be used heavily to invest in green energy technology and ensure that emissions are under control going forward. If we can ensure that emissions do not exceed the Paris agreement targets in the next decade, then perhaps we can still hold out hope that the worst of the effects of global warming can be averted.
