Under the influence of emissions from human activities, global temperatures are projected to rise by 3oC by the year 2050, according to reports from the intergovernmental investigation group on climate change released yesterday (May 4).
This increase will lead to droughts and food shortages for 400 million people and devastate wildlife, the report states.
A draft portion of the report indicates that temperatures could rise between 2 to 4.5oC if the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere doubles compared to pre-industrial levels; however, a 3oC increase is considered the most likely scenario.
The report notes that the record temperature rise over the past 50 years is due to human activity rather than natural variations.
Other Climate Change Data:
* The Arctic Ocean has been shrinking by approximately 2.7% per decade since 1978 and by 7.4% per decade during summer months.
* Global average sea levels have risen about 2 mm per year from 1961 to 2003 and averaged over 3 mm per year from 1993 to 2003.
* Mountain glaciers and polar ice have been melting faster than they have formed over the last 40 years.
* The temperature of permafrost has risen above the average, and the area covered by frozen ground has decreased by approximately 7% over the past 50 years.
TUONG VY
