The journal Nature Climate Change published the study, which is the first comprehensive assessment of the benefits of cutting emissions to keep the global temperature from rising to within 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. Scientists concur that staying within this level would alleviate the worst effects of climate change.
If emissions limits were encouraged and upheld, by the end of the 21st century up to 65% of expected adverse impacts could be avoided. This means less flooding and less crop devastation due to extreme weather.
If global temperatures continue to increase by up to 4 degrees, as expected without intervention, and steps are not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, extreme heat waves will become the new norm – devastating areas from the United States to the Middle East.
Massive flooding, another side effect of the increasing global temperature will destroy counties like Bangladesh and Vietnam, displace millions of people, and destroy crops and livestock.
The United Nations conducted climate change negotiations in Qatar in December, but very little progress was made since the countries could not come to a consensus.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions won’t eliminate climate change, strict limitations will reduce adverse effects by many decades and may, in fact, lesson their intensity.