Researchers warn against sea level rise

Researchers warned that a lack of ambition to limit global warming could have devastating effects in terms of sea level rise and other climatic conditions as world leaders in New York were set to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change yesterday.

With the possible prospect of the world warming dangerously and uncontrollably, half of one degree Celsius may sound like a negligible temperature change unlikely to make much difference to life on earth, according to a message received from Climate News Network.

But scientists say 0.5°C could make a crucial difference in some regions -- particularly in developing countries in the tropics -- that are already at great risk from climate change. The consequences could include higher sea level rise and extended heat waves, threatening most tropical coral reefs.

Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics and a member of the research team that has produced the cautionary report, said, "Our study shows that tropical regions -- mostly developing countries that are already highly vulnerable to climate change -- face the biggest rise in impacts between 1.5°C and 2°C.

VULNERABLE COUNTRIES

"Our results add to a growing body of evidence showing that climate risks occur at lower levels than previously thought. They provide scientific evidence to support the call by vulnerable countries, such as the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, that a 1.5°C warming limit would substantially reduce the impacts of climate change." The Paris Agreement on climate change was supposed to be signed yesterday in New York and was prepared at last December's UN climate conference.

It aims to keep global average temperatures "well below" the 2°C previously agreed -- and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.