> I'm pointing out that things are worse than the quote claims I believe you misunderstood the quote. "Would only get worse" is a set phrase that means getting

> I'm pointing out that things are worse than the quote claims I believe you misunderstood the quote. "Would only get worse" is a set phrase that means getting worse is inevitable. The "only" means that no other outcome is possible. It's sort of an intensified version of "would get worse" in that it's more definite. So "it would only get worse if the world continues to burn planet-heating fossil fuels" means that if we continue burning these fuels, there is no chance we will avoid the consequences. It does not mean that the only way to have the problem is to keep burning fossil fuels.