By Zoila Palma: Two United Nations reports released today warn that exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold could trigger large-scale and, in many cases, irreversible damage to glaciers, sea ice and other frozen regions of the Earth.
The reports call for urgent climate action, warning that rising temperatures could accelerate ice loss, sea-level rise and permafrost thaw, with serious consequences for communities worldwide, AFP reports.
The 2015 Paris Agreement commits countries to limiting global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to keep the increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, the reports state that current warming, estimated at 1.37°C, is already threatening the Arctic, Antarctic, mountain glaciers and polar oceans.
Researchers also point to visible damage, including the loss of approximately 20 percent of Switzerland’s glacial mass, and warn that crossing critical climate tipping points could lead to long-lasting changes even if temperatures later decline.
Despite the warnings, scientists say limiting warming and eventually returning to 1.5°C or lower remains possible with stronger political commitment and faster reductions in fossil fuel use.
Glaciers and sea ice may recover some of their losses if temperatures decline, but researchers caution that recovery could take decades or centuries.
The post International News: UN reports warn of irreversible damage to glaciers if global warming exceeds 1.5°C appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Two United Nations reports released today warn that exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold could trigger large-scale and, in many cases, irreversible damage to glaciers, sea ice and other frozen regions of the Earth. The reports call for urgent climate action, warning that rising temperatures could accelerate ice loss, sea-level rise and
The post International News: UN reports warn of irreversible damage to glaciers if global warming exceeds 1.5°C appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
