Green panel: Time enough to save Earth

Image source: news.sciencemag.org

On Sunday, 2 November, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its Synthesis Report in Copenhagen, Denmark.

One of the primary findings of the report was that climate change had been observed on all continents.

South African scientist Dr Bob Scholes, one of the principal authors of the report, said: "In the past it was clear that [the climate] was changing, but what was not clear was the effect it was going to have on things we worry about, like agriculture."

The report stated that global surface temperatures are projected to rise over this century, which will likely result in more frequent and longer-lasting heat waves and storms.

But Scholes said the majority of scientists on the panel agreed there was still time to halt the progress of climate change.

Scholes said: "It is still possible to limit warming to below 2C relative to pre-industrial (1850) levels."

This action would require world governments to introduce legislation and policies to move towards low-carbon economies.

The good news, said Scholes, is that municipalities like Cape Town and Johannesburg are introducing measures, such as designing green buildings and greening cities, to combat climate change.

Source: The Times