The world's target of limiting global warming to a 2°C global average temperature rise may not be sufficient, according to a climate scientist in a commentary on Climate Change Responses.
Discussions through "structured expert dialogue" about the said global warming target were part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Lima, Peru in December 2014.
Some environment scientists suggest that the global warming target is inadequate and should be pegged at just 1.5°C, or lower, instead of the 2°C average temperature rise.
Experts claim that the 2°C limit may still lead to shifts in rainfall patterns, the increase in sea levels and extreme natural events, such as heat waves, floods and droughts, especially in the tropics, high mountain areas and even the polar regions.
Petra Tschakert, lead author of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, believes that the 2°C target may pose a threat to livelihoods and ecosystems.
"A low temperature target is the best bet to prevent severe, pervasive, and potentially irreversible impacts while allowing ecosystems to adapt naturally, ensuring food production and security, and enabling economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner," stated Tschakert.
According to Tschakert, the 2°C target originated in the 1970s and was sanctioned as a goal in 2009 at climate talks in Copenhagen. While many countries support the 2°C target, many environment, social and political scientists believe the target should be even lower.
For the World Health Organization (WHO), however, no target is deemed safe for human health. Even now, climate change is already constantly taking a toll on the health of millions of people across the world.
While Tschakert suggests that the 2°C target should be reduced to 1.5°C, other scientists argue against the lack of sufficient research to explain the benefits of the 1.5°C target.
However, proponents of the new target believe that lowering the global average temperature rise could reduce the risk of sea-level increase; save major coral systems; and leave Arctic ice intact.
Tschakert suggests that all countries, developed or developing, should come forward and address the issues of global warming. An individual country should not wait until it is directly affected as a result of the undeniable global warming.
The target is currently being re-evaluated, but there is no indication if the new target will be pegged at 1.5°C. Findings of the ongoing reviews are expected to be released this June and then adopted by December this year.
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey | Flickr
