Assessing %26quot;Dangerous Climate Change%26quot;: Required Reduction of Carbon Emissions to Protect Young People, Future Generations and Nature

作者:Hansen James*; Kharecha Pushker; Sato Makiko; Masson Delmotte Valerie; Ackerman Frank; Beerling David J; Hearty Paul J; Hoegh Guldberg Ove; Hsu Shi Ling; Parmesan Camille; Rockstrom Johan; Rohling Eelco J; Sachs Jeffrey; Smith Pete; Steffen Konrad; Van Susteren Lise; von Schuckmann Karina; Zachos James C
来源:PLos One, 2013, 8(12): e81648.
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0081648

摘要

We assess climate impacts of global warming using ongoing observations and paleoclimate data. We use Earth%26apos;s measured energy imbalance, paleoclimate data, and simple representations of the global carbon cycle and temperature to define emission reductions needed to stabilize climate and avoid potentially disastrous impacts on today%26apos;s young people, future generations, and nature. A cumulative industrial-era limit of similar to 500 GtC fossil fuel emissions and 100 GtC storage in the biosphere and soil would keep climate close to the Holocene range to which humanity and other species are adapted. Cumulative emissions of similar to 1000 GtC, sometimes associated with 2 degrees C global warming, would spur %26quot;slow%26quot; feedbacks and eventual warming of 3-4 degrees C with disastrous consequences. Rapid emissions reduction is required to restore Earth%26apos;s energy balance and avoid ocean heat uptake that would practically guarantee irreversible effects. Continuation of high fossil fuel emissions, given current knowledge of the consequences, would be an act of extraordinary witting intergenerational injustice. Responsible policymaking requires a rising price on carbon emissions that would preclude emissions from most remaining coal and unconventional fossil fuels and phase down emissions from conventional fossil fuels.

  • 出版日期2013-12-3
  • 单位中国地震局