Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
calculations in the models are restricted to certain scenarios. These indicate what
can be expected in the best case and the worst case scenarios. The conclusions of
the climate researchers show that there is still time for us to have a drastic infl uence
on future developments.
What is clear is that there is no way to stop climate change completely. However,
determination and appropriate countermeasures can keep the consequences of
climate change within a manageable limit and largely save the climate. If we do not
change course during the next ten years, climate change will very quickly reach a
point of no return with no hope of stopping it. Table 2.3 shows how we can still set
Table 2.3
Consequences of climate change - the climate can still be saved.
This is how the climate could
develop if it were protected
worldwide
This is what threatens us in the worst case
scenario
■
Greenhouse gas transmissions
are reduced worldwide by at
least 50% by 2050 and by
almost 100% by 2100.
■
All fossil energy sources are almost used up
and worldwide greenhouse gas emissions
show a defi nite further increase.
■
The average global temperature
increase remains below 2 °C.
■
The increase in average global temperature
reaches values of 5 °C and higher.
■
Sea levels rise by 20 to 30 cm
by 2100.
■
Sea levels rise by a metre or more by 2100.
■
The ice in Greenland remains
intact.
■
The entire ice mass in Greenland melts
away, directly resulting in a 7 m rise in sea
levels alone in the long term.
■
In the long term the rise in sea
level remains around a metre or
less.
■
In the long term the sea level rises by more
than 30 m.
■
Coastal regions and cities are
saved through slight
improvements in coastal
protection measures.
■
Entire coastal regions and cities such as
Hamburg, Rotterdam and Miami sink into the
sea. Even cities on higher ground could be
threatened in centuries to come.
■
The Gulf Stream weakens only
slightly.
■
The Gulf Stream fails completely. The
climate conditions in Europe undergo
extreme changes.
■
Heatwaves, periods of drought
and extreme precipitation
increase.
■
Heatwaves, periods of drought and extreme
precipitation increase dramatically and in
some regions of the world threaten the
foundations of life.
■
Migrations of populations are
limited locally due to climate
change.
■
The consequences of climate change trigger
a major migration of people who fl ee their
homes due to climatic conditions. Global
tension rises dramatically as a result.
