The "2024 Emissions Gap Report" indicated that global average temperatures are likely to increase by 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels during this century.
Indeed, current events indicate continuous increases in temperatures, but there are still some hopes of achieving the main goal of the "Paris Agreement," which is to not exceed an average temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels and to reach net zero by 2050. However, it becomes clearer day by day that achieving this goal is out of reach.
Continuous temperature rise
Two Stanford University researchers conducted a study based on training an artificial intelligence system to predict the rise in global temperatures over the coming years. The authors of the study reported that there is indeed a 50% chance that global temperatures will exceed 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius even if humans achieve their emission reduction targets. They published their results in the journal "Geophysical Research Letters" on December 10, 2024.
Global warming and the frequency of extreme weather phenomena severely affect food security, which humans primarily rely on for their diet. Therefore, scientists and experts are always looking for effective ways to enhance food security.
Chinese attempt to adapt
In an attempt by China to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to maintain its food security—which is essential for a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion—the researchers conducted a recent study on agricultural management to enhance productivity under climate change conditions. They published their study in the journal (PNAS Nexus) on January 7, 2025.
The researchers designed a model for the agricultural system in China, taking into account different climate change scenarios throughout the twenty-first century. This model incorporates suggestions for crop rotation and the improvement of fertilization mechanisms, resulting in an improvement in the spatial distributions of seven major crops.
Researchers found that these improvements contributed to reducing nitrogen runoff by 8.2%, managing water more effectively by 24%, reducing waste, and enhancing agricultural productivity by 14.1%. The study's authors believe that following this model's plan could help China reduce environmental costs and maximize productivity.
