At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization reported that the level of climate-altering gases in the air punched through the psychological barrier of 400 parts per million.
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A new report from the World Bank highlights the acute threat that climate change poses to the poorer segment of society around the globe.
Beyond Paris, businesses would like to see cross party agreement on New Zealand’s approach to climate change, sustainable government procurement, transport initiatives and a greater focus on adaptation.
Even if countries fully enact their latest pledges to reduce carbon emissions, average temperatures will rise by 2.7 degrees Celsius by 2100, according to data cited by Bloomberg from Climate Action Tracker, a joint venture between four European institutions. Negotiators are said to be close to a deal, and early concerns that talks might falter are suddenly looking overly pessimistic.
Scientists say that if global warming continues unabated, its effects could include the flooding of coastal cities and island nations, disruption to agriculture and drinking water, the spread of diseases and the extinction of species.
“There is an urgent need for all the world leaders to come up with a strong agreement and act on it”, said Climate Reality Philippines manager Rodne Galicha.
The main thrust of the meeting will be to agree on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The negative effects of global warming to the planet are well documented and the report illustrates the real human cost.
Climate change is already preventing people from escaping poverty, and without rapid, inclusive and climate-smart development, together with emissions-reductions efforts that protect the poor, overall there could be more than 100 million additional people in extreme poverty by 2030. The disproportionate impact of weather disasters and rising seas demands an “integrated strategy” on poverty and warming, said John Roome, the bank’s senior director for climate change. If warming reaches 4 degrees Celsius, land where 627 million people live would be impacted as sea level rise would “submerge land”, according to the report. Its authors recommend steps to support countries and communities in their abilities to adapt to climate change and deal with increasing variability. “It’s easier to get people out of extreme poverty now rather than doing it later”.
Trends show that droughts could increase by between 9 percent and 17 percent by 2030 and jump by as much as 90 percent by 2080.
“Our vulnerable nations are the ground zero in the global struggle against climate change”, Joyceline Goco, a co-chair of the forum from the Philippines, said after the thee-day event.
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In another tweet McKenna said “At home, we will provide national leadership and work with our provinces and territories to take real action on climate change”.
