From Global Warming to Global “Boiling” – UN Secretary General

Abstract

The steady increase in average global temperatures, both on land and sea, coupled with an increasing frequency of extreme weather events is not only endangering ecosystems but now even threatening plants and animal species. Shrinking glaciers, dry spells, heat waves and forest fires compounded by ever increasing greenhouse gases synergistically escalate the problem. A 0.1°, 0.5°, 1.5° or 2°C rise in temperature may have profound effects. A half a degree or even a few tenths of a degree change may have a dramatic impact – causing dire water shortages, flooding and heat waves. Polar ice caps and coral reefs may be severely impacted by even a 0.5° C rise [1]. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that unparalleled climate changes caused by human activity has increased the planet’s temperature by 1.1°C [1].