Global 2C rise puts planet in hot water

SCIENTISTS are calling for “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented” social change to stop world temperatures from rising by two degrees Celsius.

United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change yesterday released a report highlighting the environmental and social benefits of restricting global warming to 1.5C, compared to 2C.

Environment Minister Melissa Price said the Federal Government would consider the study as part of an ongoing review of Australia’s contribution to global action on climate change.

Ms Price reaffirmed the Morrison Government’s commitment to the Paris agreement, aiming to reduce emissions by 26 per cent by 2030, based on 2005 levels.

However, scientists cited in the report say the effects of a global temperature rise of 1C can already be seen through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice.

Co-author Hans-Otto Portner says it will be a challenge for human civilisation, but warns the planet will go into an “unprecedented climate future” if action is not taken.

“The scale of all the changes that we are experiencing in the climate system is unprecedented, the scale of the changes that humans would have to implement in order to keep climate change under control is unprecedented,” he said in South Korea yesterday.

University of New South Wales climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick said a 2C global temperature increase would wipe out “virtually all” coral reefs, while up to 30 per cent could be saved if it was limited to 1.5C.

“There is also a good chance that drought severity will be less in a 1.5C world, having ramifications for water availability and food security,” she said.

The findings will be discussed when the Paris agreement is reviewed at a December climate conference in Poland.