Climate Facts: Whiplash events could double rapidly if temperature rises to 3°C, says study

The complexities of climate change and its associated jargon can prove difficult to digest.

TheCable’s quick climate facts will help demystify these concepts through easy-to-understand and straight-to-the-point explanations.

Here are some to keep at the tip of your fingers:

• A study by Climate Action Tracker says the earth has experienced between 31 and 66 percent whiplash events — rapid swing between very wet or dry conditions — since the mid-20th century.

• The study added that whiplash events could double rapidly if the world heats to 3°C, as humanity is already on track for 2.7 °C of heating. 

• Nigeria became the first African country to issue a sovereign green bond in February 2017 to help boost climate action in the country.

• This was also the first sovereign bond certified by the Climate Bonds Standard, with N10.7 billion (US$ 29 million) raised in the pilot auction aimed at funding solar power and afforestation projects.

• While the third bond is under way, the second bond result stood at N15 billion (US$ 42 million), which is expected to be used to fund a wider portfolio.

• The UK Meteorological Office says the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere rose drastically to 3.58 ppm in 2024.

• The organisation said the ongoing CO2 rise is exacerbated by fossil fuel burning and land use change, noting that the increase will be lesser than last year due to the emergence of La Niña conditions — cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean.