The past year has witnessed millions die in a pandemic, a global economic downturn and political ferment fueled by extremists. But none of those things mean the biggest antagonist of the planet’s inhabitants slowed its pace. In fact, human-induced warming of the earth (and its catastrophic consequences) has quickened its step. The climate crisis is causing oceans to rise more quickly than even the most pessimistic forecasts, resulting in earlier flood risks to coastal populations already struggling to adapt. Insured property worth trillions of dollars could face even greater danger from superstorms and tidal surges. But the biggest economies are failing to meet climate goals that are already outdated. New research suggests they must now set the bar still higher if humanity is to avoid the very worst.