It is already too late to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, a German meteorologist warned ahead of a climate forum in Berlin, writes MIA.

Meteorologist and climate researcher Mojib Latif told Germany’s Bayern media group on Monday that “with today’s greenhouse gas emissions, we will surpass this level in just under ten years.”

“If you take what the politicians are currently doing worldwide, we are more on course for 3 degrees,” Latif continued.

“We are approaching the point where one has to admit: Time has run out.” Three degrees of global warming would be a “catastrophe,” Latif stressed, lamenting that there always seemed to be more pressing issues to tackle than climate protection.

Ministers from about 40 countries will discuss the next steps to be taken in the fight against climate change at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue being held in Berlin on Monday and Tuesday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are both due to address the meeting, which is being co-hosted by Germany and Egypt. The meeting is part of preliminary discussions to set the agenda for the COP27 UN climate conference, which is scheduled to take place in the Egyptian coastal town of Sharm el-Sheikh in early November.