Reuters reported today how, “Emissions limits could cut climate damage by two-thirds.” They write that according to a study published in the journal “Nature Climate Change,” “The world could avoid much of the damaging effects of climate change this century if greenhouse gas emissions are curbed more sharply.”The study indicated that if governments could cut emissions of harmful gases resulting in a rise in temperature of 2 degrees Celsius by 2100, much of the damaging effects of global warming could be avoided. The damage to our planet, which could be avoided, is estimated at between 20 to 65 percent.The study maintained that by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the planet could avoid major floods, and major impact upon crops. However, Reuters reported, “In 2010, governments agreed to curb emissions to keep temperatures from rising above 2 degrees C, but current emissions reduction targets are on track to lead to a temperature rise of 4 degrees or more by 2100.”The World Bank warns, “Extreme heat waves could devastate areas from the Middle East to the United States, while sea levels could rise by up to 91 cm (3 feet), flooding cities in countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh.”
Much of the damage to crops resulting from flooding and rising water levels in rivers and seas could be avoided, if the agreement to keep the temperature change to 2 degrees Celsius is maintained. Understandably, the damage by extreme climate change can be avoided as well.
According to NASA, “The impact of increased surface temperatures is significant in itself. But global warming will have additional, far-reaching effects on the planet. Warming modifies rainfall patterns, amplifies coastal erosion, lengthens the growing season in some regions, melts ice caps and glaciers, and alters the ranges of some infectious diseases. Some of these changes are already occurring.
Nigel Arnell, director of the University of Reading's Walker Institute, which led the study reported in Reuters said. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions won't avoid the impacts of climate change altogether of course, but our research shows it will buy time to make things like buildings, transport systems and agriculture more resilient to climate change."
Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the 2007 Nobel Peace. The former vice president stated global warming was, "the greatest challenge we've ever faced."
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