Limited options for meeting 2°C warming target, warn climate change experts

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/uoe-lof111811.php

Public release date: 20-Nov-2011

Contact: Sarah Hoyle
[e-mail]
44-013-927-22062
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter

Limited options for meeting 2°C warming target, warn climate change experts

We will only achieve the target of limiting global warming to safe levels if carbon dioxide emissions begin to fall within the next two decades and eventually decrease to zero. That is the stark message from research by an international team of scientists, led by the University of Exeter, published today (20 November) in the journal Nature Climate Change.

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In a worst-case scenario of high climate sensitivity, we need to work towards negative emissions if we are to have a chance to keeping temperatures within the two-degrees target. This would mean using carbon-capture-and-storage technology combined with aggressive mitigation rates starting in the coming decade. The best-case scenario of low climate sensitivity allows longer delays and more conservative mitigation rates, but still requires emissions to be eventually cut by at least 90%.

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Lead author Professor Pierre Friedlingstein of the University of Exeter said: "When I analysed these results, I was surprised to see so few options available to us. We know we need to tackle global warming, but our research really emphasises the urgency of the situation. The only way for us to achieve a safe future climate will be to reduce emissions by at least three per cent, starting as soon as possible. The longer we leave it, the harder it will be."

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"The good news is that it's not too late," said co-author Professor Susan Solomon of the University of Colorado. "The interesting news is that we really need to think in the very long-term as well as the near-term. Even a small amount of remaining emissions would eventually mean exceeding the target so we need to ensure that technologies are available to make our world carbon-free in the long run."

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1302

[sam11111]

1. Geoengineering - time to start testing various types - I favor orbital shades..or sulphur in stratos

in the stratosphere.

Kyoto has flopped IMO.

[jwirr]

2. How did the white roofs in EU work out?

[Nihil]

3. Yeah, yeah, yeah ... we've noticed ...

> I favor orbital shades..or sulphur in stratos

... with every new incarnation, the same theme recurs ...
:eyes: