Is it too late to prevent catastrophic climate change?

Context

Climate catastrophe refers to severe, irreversible changes to Earth's climate system—such as ecosystem collapse, mass extinction, or runaway warming feedback loops—that could occur if global temperatures rise beyond critical thresholds. Scientists debate whether humanity has already crossed points of no return or whether rapid emissions reductions can still prevent the worst outcomes. This question shapes policy urgency: if prevention is impossible, adaptation becomes paramount; if it's still possible, aggressive mitigation efforts remain justified.