UN: World Could Hit 1.5-Degree Warming Threshold in 5 Years

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. weather agency says the world could see average global temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average for the first time in the coming five years.

The 1.5-C mark is the level to which countries have agreed to try to limit global warming.

Scientists say average temperatures around the world are already at least 1 C higher now than during the period from 1850-1900 because of manmade greenhouse emissions.

The World Meteorological Organization said Thursday there is a 20% chance that the 1.5 C level will be reached in at least one year between 2020 and 2024.