Scientists predict global warming will exceed four degrees with Australian rainfall decreasing by 20 percent.
If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise unchecked, it is likely that global warming will exceed four degrees by the end of the century, research by the Met Office scientists has revealed.
British scientists found that if current high emissions continue there could be higher temperature rises than previously thought.
Dr Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met Office Hadley Centre, said: “Four degrees of warming, averaged over the globe, translates into even greater warming in many regions, along with major changes in rainfall. If greenhouse gas emissions are not cut soon, we could see major climate changes within our own lifetimes.”
In some areas, warming could be in excess of 10 degrees.
Coastal Australia could experience a reduction in rainfall of up to 20 per cent, the research found, with Central America and the Medierranean also suffering drier weather. Western and southern Africa are predicted to experience both heavy warming (of up to 10 per cent) and drying. In India, rainfall could increase by more than 20 per cent, increasing the risk of flooding, the research found.
These impacts will have “very large consequences” for food security, water availability and health, Betts said.
“However, if global emissions peak within the next decade and then decrease rapidly it may be possible to avoid at least half of the four degrees of warming.”
