4 degree warming could happen within a lifetime says latest science

 

 

Leading UK climate scientists have presented new research findings at a conference entitled '4 degrees and beyond' at the University of Oxford this week (28th-30th September). At the conference, the Met Office presented research funded under the DECC and Defra Integrated Climate Programme that showed that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise unchecked, it is likely that the globe warming could exceed 4oC by the end of the century.

 

'4 degrees of warming averaged over the globe translates into even greater warming in many regions, along with major changes in rainfall' said Dr Richard Betts, Head of Climate Impacts at the Met Office Hadley Centre. 'If greenhouse gas emissions are not cut soon then we could see major climate changes within our own lifetimes', he said.

 

'Since the late 1990s, greenhouse gas emissions have increased at close to the most extreme IPCC scenarios, meaning that rates of warming will be faster than most people expect. 4 degrees and beyond will review the best science on the consequences of these large climate changes and what we can do about it' said conference convener Dr Mark New of Oxford University School of Geography and the Environment.  

 

Key scientific announcement in advance of Copenhagen

 

The presentation of these findings represents the latest science and is the last major scientific announcement in advance of the Copenhagen climate change conference in December. Limiting the global average temperature increase to 2oC is a difficult challenge but is achievable if the world takes early action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. There is a clear recognition that the risks of dangerous climate changes increase above 2oC, which is why these form the basis for the UK's emissions targets, as well as our international negotiations ahead of Copenhagen.  

 

Related links

4 degrees & beyond, International Climate Conference

Met Office warns of catastrophic global waring in our lifetimes, Guardian 28 September 2009

Four degrees of warming 'likely', BBC News 28 September 2009