United Nations (UN) scientists will soon release a report that will provide details of the negative impact of climate change. The 29-page draft prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) attributes risks of a grim future to global warming.
The summary pointed out possibility of disrupted food supplies, slow world economic growth, drought and conflicts if nothing is done about carbon emissions. It details specific impacts of the warming planet such as the irreversible changes to the natural system including the melting of ice sheets and drying of the forests.
The report predicts that the temperature will rise by 0.3 to 4.8 degrees Celsius this century and that there will be food shortage as crop yields will fall by two percent per decade albeit demand is likely to rise with the growing world population.
The report even pointed out risks of war prompted by shortage in resources. "Some transboundary impacts of climate change, such as changes in sea ice, shared water resources and migration of fish stocks, have the potential to increase rivalry among states. The presence of robust institutions can manage many of these rivalries to reduce conflict risk," the report read.
Report co-chair Chris Field of Stanford University said that some of the significant changes associated with global warming are actually already happening.
"A range of impacts from climate change are happening," said Field. "Risks are much greater with more warming than less warming. And it doesn't require 100 percent certainty before you have creative options for moving forwards... there are compelling adaptation options."
The report, which is seen to influence policies and talks on climate change, nonetheless, takes into account options that can help humanity better adapt to phenomena caused by climate change including planning well for disasters like flooding and hurricanes, adopting measures to conserve water and energy, and breeding drought and flood resistant crops. The report also stated that reducing carbon emissions in the next few decades can stave off the worst consequences of climate change by the end of the century.
Scientists and representatives from more than 100 governments worldwide will meet in Yokohama, Japan from March 25 to 29 to discuss and approve the report.
