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IPCC’s special report on ‘Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees’
What does the IPCC report state?
- The IPCC report finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require “rapid and far -reaching” transitions in all sectors.
- Global net human -caused carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions would need to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050 .
- This means that any remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2 from the air.
- It has also stated that estimates of global emissions reductions based on intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted under the Paris agreement would not limit global warming to 1.5°C
- Limiting warming to 1.5ºC is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes
Why limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is crucial?
- The consequences of a 2 degrees rise in global warming will be devastating scientists have warned.
- The consequences of a 1.5 degree rise includes warming of extreme temperatures in many regions , increases in frequency, intensity, and/or amount of heavy precipitation in several regions and an increase in intensity or frequency of droughts in some regions.
- But with a 2 degree rise the impacts can be too serious for communities to adapt.
- For example, according to IPCC,
- By 2100 global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower with global warming of 1.5 degree C compared with 2 degree C,
- The likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once per century with global warming of 1.5°C, compared with at least once per decade with 2 degree C.
- Coral reefs would decline by 70 -90% with global warming of 1.5 degree C, whereas virtually all would be lost with 2 degree C.
How will India be affected with 1.5 degree rise
- The IPCC report doesn’t list impacts country wise.
- But there are several scientific studies that have concluded that India is one of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
- The impacts of climatic change hazards (like droughts, floods, etc.) will depend on the exposure (extent of people in coastal zones, drought and flood prone areas, mountain slopes, etc.).
- Since India has a very large population and regions subjected to droughts, floods, land slides, cyclones and sea level rise, India is one of the most vulnerable countries.
Source
The Hindu