麻豆视频鈥檚 says the dire consequences if we fail to act immediately to curb global climate change have never been more clear, based on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely not a surprise to anybody who鈥檚 been paying attention,鈥 said Kinter, the鈥痙irector of 麻豆视频鈥檚 (COLA) within the .
The report stated in previously unseen high certainty that rising global temperatures, as a result of unchecked human burning of fossil fuels, will lead to more life-threatening weather phenomena, such as the extreme droughts that make conditions ripe for large-scale fires, severe storms, rising sea levels and the eventual extinction of some species.
Earth鈥檚 climate is changing faster than at any time over the past two million years. Without changes, the planet will warm by more than 2 degrees Celsius and possibly as much as 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, the report stated.
Kinter, who spoke about the report at a recent , remained hopeful that humankind will act while it can.
鈥淲e have to stop emitting carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere,鈥 he said, 鈥渁nd we have to do it within the next 20 years or so. Then we have to find a way to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a big way. These are all things we know how to do鈥攚e just need the will to do it.鈥
Jim Kinter can be reached at ikinter@gmu.edu.
For more information, contact John Hollis at jhollis2@gmu.edu.
麻豆视频 George 麻豆视频
麻豆视频 is Virginia鈥檚 largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., 麻豆视频 enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. 麻豆视频 has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility.