As we are constantly associating it with our everyday life, what does the latest in the line of scientific studies have to say? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which represents the top global body for conducting climate change studies, just issued its most extensive report to date. First, here are the broad themes and the results with some attempt at interpreting the results in terms that might be meaningful to us all.
**Unequivocal: Global warming is a result of human activities and this was the thesis statement.
The report is crystal clear: i can agree with the statement that human activity, especially the emission of greenhouse gases, is responsible for global warming. We have already made our planet warmer and it is now on the average 1. And that matters: The global average temperature has only risen by 1°C since the end of the nineteenth century, and it has shown great effects. Think about that when you decide whether to raise or lower your thermostat by 1 degree – it can change the ambiance in your home. It reminds me of the time when a similar type of label was used internally and now imagine that done on a global level.
**Heatwaves, Droughts, Floods: It is for this that we have named it, the New Normal.
It goes without question, the effects of this warming are no longer the mere predictions as once made. We are already observing hotter days more frequently and extreme events such as heat waves, floods, and droughts with increased intensity. These are not mere embarrassments – homelessness, job losses and lost opportunities, and food shortages.
The report paints a stark picture: If this trend continues, then the effects will be even more drastic as we have seen in previous headlines. By warming of 2°C, heat extremes can hit some areas becoming intolerable and the agricultural systems growing crops would be close to collapse.
**The 1. 5°C Threshold: Single mothers in their struggle to juggle work and family: **A Race Against Time**
But there is still a beacon of hope, as it were. Scientists have identified a target: to prevent the atmospheric temperature from rising more than 1 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. 5°C above pre-industrial levels. It would also sharply minimize the risks and damages which would otherwise happen if global warming were to reach 2°C. But here's the catch: This can only be done if global greenhouse gas emissions are cut back forthwith and by a vast degree.
