Avoiding dangerous climate change
Polar bears to face tough times
To avoid dangerous climate change global temperatures must rise by no more than 2 degrees, relative to pre-industrial levels. If temperatures rise beyond this level catastrophic climate change may ensue.
Impacts such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, water/food shortages and disease will affect all areas of society. Furthermore forced migration will lead to conflict.Tipping points may be reached for any rise above 2 degrees - arctic sea ice will melt, methane stored in the tundra may be released into the atmosphere greatly accelerating climate change and the amazon rainforest may collapse.In order to avoid these impacts and potential tipping points GHG emissions must be cut by 50% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. This means a cut of 80% in developed countries, to allowing developing nations time to adjust. Clean power, sustainable transport, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage and avoided deforestation are all part of the solution to achieving this reduction.
Filed under: Climate Change on November 28th, 2008
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