The climate crisis is no longer a problem for the distant future. According to some of the world's leading scientists, we could face a perilous climate shift within just a few decades, rather than some far-off century.

Last week, new findings were published in a European Science Journal called “Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.” That research, led by NASA Climate Scientist James E. Hansen, has provoked an intense debate about how quickly we must act to prevent the worst-case climate scenario.

Since at least 2009, countries around the world have been working to keep global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, but Dr. Hansen says that figure keeps us on a dangerous path towards destruction.

According to Hansen and 18 other scientists, the last time the earth reached temperatures slightly higher than what we're seeing today, large chunks of polar ice disintegrated and see levels rose between 20 and 30 feet. And, those aren't the only consequences we should fear.

These scientists warn that if we continue to burn fossil fuels at the current pace, we could soon see fresh water pouring into the oceans, which would disrupt the ocean currents that regulate global temperatures, and set the stage for powerful super storms unlike anything that the modern world has ever seen. And, all those effects would strengthen so-called positive feedback loops, which would only speed up the destruction of our planet.

Dr. Hansen and his colleagues say that we must do more to prevent further warming, however, some of his fellow scientists have expressed doubt over these recent findings. Some question whether he has skewed his research for political purposes, but they also aren't exactly saying that he's wrong.

Whether it's decades or centuries, the data shows that we must act now to leave our planet habitable for future generations. Tomorrow's climate crisis has become today's emergency, and we better respond while we still can.