Outpacing worst-case scenarios: Study concludes 4 degrees warming "likely" without CO2 cuts

[Karmadillo]

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLP228193

By Gerard Wynn

LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Global temperatures may be 4 degrees Celsius hotter by the mid-2050s if current greenhouse gas emissions trends continue, said a study published on Monday.

The study, by Britain's Met Office Hadley Centre, echoed a U.N. report last week which found that climate changes were outpacing worst-case scenarios forecast in 2007 by the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"Our results are showing similar patterns (to the IPCC) but also show the possibility that more extreme changes can happen," said Debbie Hemming, co-author of the research published at the start of a climate change conference at Oxford University.

Leaders of the main greenhouse gas-emitting countries recognised in July a scientific view that temperatures should not exceed 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, to avoid more dangerous changes to the world's climate.

The IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its fourth assessment report, or AR4. One finding was that global temperatures could rise by 4 degrees by the end of the 2050s. Monday's study confirmed that warming could happen even earlier, by the mid-2050s, and suggested more extreme local effects.

"It's affirming the AR4 results and also confirming that it is likely," Hemming told Reuters, referring to 4 degrees warming, assuming no extra global action to cut emissions in the next decade.

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[Bobbieo]

1. When I moved to Yuma 30 years ago the 100 degree plus temps

began to cool down the first week in September. Now, it is the first week in October.

[obliviously]

2. This would normally go in the environment forum!

[Triana]

3. Meanwhile, at the G20 Summit - they did - NOTHING - about the issue of Climate Change...

..STILL PIDDLING. The Earth scorches - they twiddle.