The leaders of the world have gathered together in Paris to discuss one matter: climate change. In effort to curb the global temperature increase of two degrees celsius, each country has brought forth its own plan to curb carbon emission. COP21 will test whether the international community can come together to make a meaningful environmental accord.
But what happens if the world blows past the two degrees Celsius threshold? The answer is bleak: not good.
1. Rising Sea Levels
According to a Yale study, all coastal cities are at risk of sitting in a Venetian-esque body of water. A more recent examination by Climate Central predicts a 20-foot increase in sea levels which would subsequently put most coastal cities underwater. Along with the sea rise, an estimated 150 million people will be displaced at this rate. The verdict is clear: if you don’t want to sell your car for gondolas, the 2 degrees benchmark is critical to meet.
2. Increased Allergies
You think your allergies are bad now? A study by the National Wildlife Federation predicts not only an increase in allergies but also asthma, hiking medical costs up $33 billion nation wide.
3. More Wildfires
As someone who hails from the dry state of California, the thought of more wildfires baffles me. California has countless fires, so many that it is almost impossible to imagine there being more. But, research from the Union of Concerned Scientists claims there are only more wildfires to come.
4. More Hurricanes
While the memories of Katrina and Sandy still reside in more Americans' memories, the future does not look any better. The Global Fluid Dynamics Laboratory has stated that hurricanes are to increase in size and occurrence by 2-11 percent.
5. Species Extinction
In the past couple of decades, the environmental conservation agencies have done a remarkable job in keeping many species from the brink of extinction. However, The Nature Conservancy states that one-fourth of the world's species will be extinct by 2050 if the climate continues to rise. If you want to continue watching the adorable Panda Cam, climate action is essential.
6. Destruction of Coral Reefs
The beautiful coral reefs which housed Nemo and many other tropical marine life, are currently dying. If the temperature continues to rise, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration claims that coral reefs will enter extinction.
7. More Droughts
The World Wildlife Fund has stated that due to climate change, extreme droughts have become commonplace in many water-pinching regions around the world. California, for example, has entered into its fourth consecutive drought year. If weather continues to worsen, the consequences could be dire for the already-parched regions.
8. Increase Food Price
Remember that expensive bag of groceries you bought recently? Well, it’s about to get even more expensive. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, increased temperature will lead to reduced crop yield, resulting in more expensive produce.
With all of the pressing issues, President Obama reached out to the global leaders with an optimistic tone. His words remind us of the urgency but also the possibility of this historic gathering of the nations.
“There is a such thing as being too late. And when it comes to climate change, the hour is almost upon us. But if we act here, if we act now, if we place our own short-term interests behind the air that our young people will breathe, and the food that they will eat, and the water that they will drink, and the hopes and dreams that sustain their lives, then we won’t be too late for them.”
Keep on the watch for the proceedings of COP21 Paris. The more people watching and voicing their concerns, the higher the likelihood that the human race will continue to live on Earth.
