Climate Study: Risk of Human Extinction 'Dangerously Underexplored'

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    The Facts

    • Catastrophic climate change outcomes including human extinction aren't being taken seriously enough by scientists, according to a study published on Monday.

    • The analysis, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), argues that the consequences of global heating beyond 3°C have been under-examined, with few quantitative estimates of the total impacts.

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    The Spin

    Narrative A

    This study is an important first step in quantifying the very real and catastrophic threat to humans posed by climate change. The world must start preparing for worst case scenarios and these must be thoroughly researched by scientists so we can all better understand what we may be dealing with.

    Forbes

    Narrative B

    While an important issue, claims about global warming are often grossly exaggerated. The apocalyptic rhetoric of "climate catastrophe" may do more harm than good by alienating people on both sides and distracting from more pressing issues.

    University of Cambridge

    Metaculus Prediction

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