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| Thermometer |
Two degrees Celsius is the pace
or rate set by the world at large, under the aegis of the United Nations, by
which the increasing global mean temperature should be brought under control.
Two degrees Celsius or three point six degrees Fahrenheit. At that rate over a
maximum period of ten years, it is projected that the global mean temperature
should peak and start to drop. The benchmark for the projection is
preindustrial level. 2°C is limitation to increase in world annual average temperature
as compared with preindustrial era (before 1850-1900).
If the world fails to meet the
set target then we should be bracing ourselves for a worst case scenario. Scientists believe 2°C or 3.6°F is a
temperature to cause ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica to become
unstable and melt unstoppably. In February, 2013, the United Nations Secretary
General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said: “We must limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees. We are far from
there, and even that is enough to cause dire consequences. If we
continue along the current path we are close to a six degree increase”. The six
degree is measured in Celsius. Ban Ki-moon made the statement at the Council on
Foreign Relations.
Examples of worst case scenario
if earthlings do not attain the set target rate and even below that (since we
should have applied the set target long ago). The West Antarctica ice sheet
could melt in its entirety to raise sea levels by 10 feet. If Greenland’s ice
sheet too melted in its entirety, sea levels should be raised by an additional
23 feet!
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| Temperature Trends |
PREINDUSTRIAL
LEVEL
Preindustrial
generally means relating to or connected with the period before
industrialization. In climate change
matters 1850 is usually used to mark preindustrial line. 1800-1870- Level of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was about 290 ppm (parts per million). Between
1850 and 1890 the average world temperature was about 13.7°C.
In
the preindustrial time carbon dioxide levels and average temperatures were not
measured. Such measurements were made later based on studies of ice core and
analysis of stomata of leaves secured in lake deposits and peat.
CURRENT
In
1960 the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere was 315 ppm. And the average
world temperature over five years was 13.9°C.
In
2013 carbon dioxide level hit 396 ppm. In 2014 the carbon dioxide level hit almost
398 ppm (ppm is parts per million).
In
2015 average world temperature was 14.7°C- warmest in thousands of years. The
carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere was 400 ppm, highest in millions of
years.
SUMMARY:
CO₂ LEVEL
1800-
1870: 290 ppm
1960:
315 ppm
2013:
396 ppm
2014:
almost 398 ppm
2015:
400 ppm
AVERAGE WORLD TEMPERATURE
1850-
1890: 13.7°C
1960
(over 5 years): 13.9°C
2015:
14.7°C
DISSENT
It
is not everybody who thinks the current global warming is due to human
activities as is being championed by the United Nations, for example. The
school of thought opposing that view are of the opinion that the global warming
being experienced now is due to natural causes (human cause is minimal). The
natural causes may be changes in climate, solar activities, volcanic activities
etc. In 2004, Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of research, St Peter’s Pulkovo
Astronomical Observatory, Russian said that the sun is the cause of climate
change.
PARTING SHOTS
In
this post I have tried to make it clear the steady increase in the average
world temperature. An increase attributed to the concentration of greenhouse gases,
mainly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. The source of the carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere is as a result of human activities here on Earth i.e. burning of
coal, oil etc. The steady rise in the temperature of the surface of the Earth
and its rate could lead to catastrophic events for inhabitants of the Earth,
hence the 2°C rate target. No matter where you are on Earth, no matter your stature
or status in society, it does not matter whether you burn coal, oil, wood or
gasoline the most, you have a role to play in bringing down the temperature
rise for our common good.
Reference:
https://newrepublic.com/article/120578/global-warming-threshold-what-2-degrees-celsius-36-f-looks
The Associated
Press Posted: Nov 09, 2015 1:37 PM ET Last Updated: Nov 09, 2015 3:38 PM ET
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribution_of_recent_climate_change
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