By 2050, the Earth has warmed by 2 degrees Celsius, causing extreme heatwaves that are now constant parts of the news in areas like London and Delhi. Power grids struggle to keep up with the demand for cooling, leading to frequent blackouts as people suffer from heat-related illnesses. Droughts have become more severe and long-lasting in parts of the United States, Africa, and Australia, while other regions face heavier rainfall and flooding.
In 2100, the Earth has warmed even more, leading to the melting of over half of global glaciers. Combined with thermal expansion as ocean temperatures rise, global sea levels have increased by over a meter. Entire island nations are now uninhabitable as they face constant flooding that destroys buildings and critical infrastructure. Around 250 million people have been displaced worldwide, with many moving to overcrowded cities where they face housing and job shortages.
The global economy is reeling as food and water become scarce, causing grocery prices to skyrocket and making certain products nearly impossible to find. Humid and extreme heat makes it hazardous for farmers to work outdoors, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. This crisis has pushed hundreds of millions of people into poverty, hunger, and famine. To combat these rising tides and extreme temperatures, affluent cities have invested billions of dollars into sea walls and floating housing.
Despite these grim predictions, the global community has already begun to lower emissions, showing that it's possible to change our current trajectory. Government efforts to invest in more renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel production, and shift to electric transport will help lessen the worst outcomes of climate change. Continued action is still needed to accelerate the scale and speed of these efforts. Through innovation and collective action, there's still time to write a different story for the future of our planet.