Temperatures on Earth 'to rise 6C'
Temperatures could rise 6C if CO2 emissions are not dealt with, researchers say
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Wednesday, 18, Nov 2009 10:34
Average temperatures around the word could rise by up to 6C if CO2 emissions are not urgently curbed, researchers said today.
Scientists say the results of climate change could be irreversible, noting emissions rose by 29 per cent between 2000 and 2008.
The Global Carbon Project has said the UN's climate summit in Copenhagen in December could be the world's "last chance" to do something about climate change.
The scientists say the climate rises would be higher nearer the poles, and the temperature rises were a direct result of carbon dioxide emissions from deforestation, transport and industry.
The 6C rise has been speculated upon before, however this is the first time scientists have said society is now on a path to meet it.
Professor Corinne Le Quere, from the University of East Anglia and the British Antarctic Survey, said the temperature rises would be expected to occur around the end of this century or the middle of next century.
In total, CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels have increased by 41 per cent between 1990 and 2008.
The 6C rise is in stark contrast to the 2C rise at which all international climate policy hopes to stabilise the warming.
Prof Le Quéré, lead author in the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, said: "The Copenhagen conference next month is in my opinion the last chance to stabilise climate at 2C above pre-industrial levels in a smooth and organised way.
"If the agreement is too weak, or the commitments not respected, it is not 2.5C or 3C we will get: it's 5C or 6C – that is the path we're on."