It’s already too late to fix some of the problems caused by carbon emissions, according to research led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA Today reports.
In findings published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Susan Solomon and the team of scientists and climate experts report that even if all emissions were stopped immediately, it would still take at least 1,000 years for the earth’s climate and temperatures to return to normal.
Solomon said that due to the unstoppable nature of climate change, it is important for the human race to act quickly to drastically reduce emissions. If air CO2 levels continue to rise, the results would be drought zones across almost all continents, rising sea levels, and continued global warming problems, she said.
Scientists not involved in the project have agreed with most of the study’s findings. They warn that policymakers need understand these climate change problems before the situation gets even worse. Unfortunately, for many people, global warming is low on the priority list.