Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumStudy reveals greater climate impacts of 2C temperature rise
A difference of half a degree centigrade may be barely noticeable day to day, but the difference between 1.5C and 2C of global warming is a shift into a new, more dangerous climate regime, according to the first comprehensive analysis of the issue.
The scientists found the additional 0.5C would lead to longer heatwaves, greater droughts and, in the tropics, reduced crop yield and all coral reefs being put in grave danger.
The global climate change deal agreed in Paris in December pledged to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C. Vulnerable countries, such as low-lying islands, have warned that 2C of climate change would wipe their nations from the map.
Understanding the different impacts from 1.5C or 2C of warming has been made more urgent by the recent run of record temperatures, with 2014 and 2015 breaking long-term records and recent months smashing previous highs. In February, the global temperature was 1.34C above the average from 1951-1980, according to Nasa data.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/21/study-reveals-greater-climate-impacts-of-2c-temperature-rise-heatwaves
And no, we don't get to say that we weren't warned.
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)Global dimming is literally masking the full effects of global warming. In other words, it's worse than it appears.
When we stop fossil fuel burning, the particulates reflecting the sun's rays will no longer be lowering the temperature.
Your child has a 103F fever. Are you going to the doctors or not?
Nihil
(13,508 posts)> Your child has a 103F fever. Are you going to the doctors or not?
... so instead of the "parents" (government "leaders" going to the "doctors" (scientists),
they are locking themselves away to pray to their "gods" (finance, technology) to cure
the child.
We've seen how that plays out.