Future of our climate: Why is Earth so slow to react to change?

With negative news seemingly weekly, there is much discussion over the irreversible nature of changes that have already transpired to our climate.

Even if all emissions were to stop today, temperatures would continue to rise for decades. Why is this?

It is true that the Earth is slow to react to changes. Even with no emissions excess heat which has been building since the industrial revolution in the deep ocean would continue to be released by ocean currents.

There is also the issue of carbon dioxide already trapped in the atmosphere. Research from The Royal Society shows that even if all CO2 emissions were to stop it would still take thousands of years for atmospheric levels to return to pre-industrial levels.

Because of this, surface temperatures will remain heightened until the reversal is complete impacting sea ice, ocean rises, and global warming.

Hence, reports from the IPCC suggest an irreversible change to the global climate.