IEA's World Energy Outlook Warns That Energy Consumption, Growth May Push Global Temperatures Up 6C

[hatrack]

Our voracious appetite for energy is potentially putting the planet on the path for a 6°C rise in temperatures – which is far more than what climate specialists say the environment can cope with.

In its 2008 World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency says the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit will have to set ambitious carbon-limiting caps and that the energy sector must play a key role in making this possible.

European policy-makers have set themselves the goal of keeping temperature rises below 2°C relative to what they were before the industrial revolution. Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its forecasts of how rises between 1°C and 5°C would change the environment (see table in Climate hange is here now, says major report). A rise of 6°C was off the charts.

The report addresses fossil fuel reserves – the main culprits of temperature rises. It says that oil is not running out just yet, and could last until at least 2030, if consumption continues to rise at current rates. However, the agency warns that while the oil may be there, we may not be able to exploit it fast enough to meet demand.

EDIT

http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/dn15144-energy-agency-warns-of-6c-rise-in-temperatures.html?feedId=climate-change_rss20

[wtmusic]

1. To be more accurate

growth and consumption are secondary causes.

Greenhouse gas production must be mitigated now.

[phantom power]

2. +6C is brown-trousers time.

[NickB79]

3. Wow, a global warming and Peak Oil two-fer

"However, the agency warns that while the oil may be there, we may not be able to exploit it fast enough to meet demand."