How Will Rising Global Temperatures Affect Us?
Created By RISC | 11 months ago
Last modified date : 11 months ago
Humans must try to stop our planet from rising more than 1.5°C or 2°C from before the Industrial Revolution. You’ve probably heard this remark and are concerned about the serious repercussions of rising temperatures.
Adjusting the air conditioner temperature by 0.5°C may make no difference. But a half-degree change for the world could plunge millions into misery.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has announced that the global temperature is up 1.5°C. But what happens if the average temperature rises further?
If the world average temperature rises by 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, the polar ice caps will melt every 100 years in summer. If average world temperatures climb by 2°C, Arctic ice might melt every 10 years.
The Australian Climate Council has compared the effects of various factors. If the global average temperature rises by 1.5 °C, coral reefs worldwide will decline by 70-90%. But reefs may shrink by 99% if global temperatures rise by 2°C. Many microscopic organisms live on coral reefs. If they die out, it’ll have a major impact on coastal ecosystems and our food supply.
If global average temperatures rise by 1.5°C, around 14% of the world's population will be at risk of excessive heat every 5 years, rising to 37% if global average temperatures climb by 2°C.
As a result of this substantially different impact, the worldwide community agreed to the Paris Agreement to limit the global average temperature increase to no more than 1.5°C before it’s too late.
Story by Woraporn Poonyakanok, Senior Research Engineer Acting Head of Resilience Research Hub at RISC
References:
1. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/2c-global-warming-difference-explained/
2. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/SR15_Full_Report_HR.pdf
3. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/infographic-the-difference-between-1-5-and-2-degrees-warming/