Scientists use average temperature data from the period between 1850-1900 as a measure of how hot the world was before our modern reliance on coal, oil and gas.

Of recent, scientists now predict that our overheating world is likely to surpass the 1.5C global warming threshold within the next few years, with a 66% chance by 2027. 

Emissions and El Niño contribute to the rising risk. El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Breaching of this limit temporarily is raising concerns as it highlights accelerating warming which could lead to a number of climate changes such as flooding, high or extreme temperatures, change in seasonal timings of important biological events, etc. 

Exceeding 1.5C annually for a decade would have severe consequences, hence emphasizing the need to cut emissions.

The chances of breaking the threshold have increased from less than 20% in 2020 to 66% now and going beyond 1.5C would have calamitous effects.