The Law of Universe

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Climate change is happening now

Temperatures are rising, rainfall patterns are shifting, glaciers and snow are melting, and the global mean sea level is rising. We expect that these changes will continue, and that extreme weather events resulting in hazards such as floods and droughts will become more frequent and intense. Impacts and vulnerabilities for nature, the economy and our health differ across regions, territories and economic sectors in Europe.

It is very likely that most of the warming since the mid -20th century is due to the observed increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations as a result of emissions from human activities. The global temperature has risen by about 0.8 ºC over the past 150 years, and is projected to increase further. Exceeding an increase of 2 °C above pre-industrial temperatures raises the risk of dangerous changes for global human and natural systems.

Water scarcity and droughts have severe consequences for many economic sectors. Over-abstraction is causing low river flows, lowered groundwater levels and the drying-up of wetlands, with detrimental impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Climate change is projected to increase water shortages, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

'One degree matters' follows social and business leaders as they travel to Greenland and experience for themselves the dramatic effects of the melting of the ice cap and come to understand the planetary effects of climate change and the impacts these will have on society and the economy. The film brings to the screen the latest science from the Arctic and shows why a further rise in global temperature of one degree matters for the future of humankind.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recognised the goal to limit the global mean temperature increase since pre-industrial times to below 2 °C. How can we achieve this? Global GHG emissions must level off in this decade, and be reduced by 50 % compared with 1990 levels by 2050. Taking into account necessary efforts from developing countries, the EU supports the objective to reduce its GHG emissions by 80 % to 95 % by 2050 (compared with 1990).

Even if policies and efforts to reduce emissions prove effective, some climate change is inevitable; therefore, strategies and actions to adapt to its impacts are also needed.

Principal Resources -One degree matters
'One degree matters' follows social and business leaders as they travel to Greenland and experience for themselves the dramatic effects of the melting of the ice cap and come to understand the planetary effects of climate change and the impacts these will have on society and the economy. The film brings to the screen the latest science from the Arctic and shows why a further rise in global temperature of one degree matters for the future of humankind. Film had premiere 13 December 2009 during COP 15.

View Climate change documentary: EEA Multimedia Centre - One degree matters
http://www.eea.europa.eu/multimedia
http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes

Related Video: 'There Once was an Island': Te Henua e Nnoho