chiang mai province

Temperature
increases
from climate change are
generally estimated at
1.4-5.8°C by 2100 if
further action is not taken.
The EU intends to limit its
greenhouse gases on par
with a global rise of 2°C
in 2020, but some studies
indicate this still might not
avoid catastrophe.
Atmospheric
Greenhouse
Gases (GHG),
most notably CO 2
,
methane, and NO 2
,
are the most threatening
and avoidable agents of
climate change. In 2008,
CO 2
levels hit 336 ppm,
the highest in at least
650,000 - and possibly
20 million - years.
Ocean Life
and Acidity
will result from the
increased CO 2
emissions,
threatening all hubs of
marine biodiversity.
Ocean warming is adverse
to growth of sea algae,
the source of half of
all photosynthesised
oxygen and the basis
of the marine food chain.
Biodiversity
Loss
has already been seen.
Climate change increases
the risk of extinction for
about 20-30% of all
species and puts immense
stress on ecological
systems, particularly
threatening those in
tropical forest, alpine,
and Arctic regions.
Understanding Climate Change and
Responding to Ecological Challenges
Greater Climate
Extremes
through drought,
floods, and extreme
weather will affect global
circulations of air and
water. The result will
be crippling to farmland,
habitable land and
water infrastructure,
while increasing the
spread of deadly
diseases.
Sources: NASA, UNFCCC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; J. Houghton, Global
Warming: Complete Briefing; C. Gauthier, Oil, Water and Climate; Kump, Kasting, Crane, The Earth
System; J. Lovelock, The Vanishing Face of Gaia; The Royal Society of London
Future
Generations
are at stake. The needs
of the present generation
must not compromise the
needs of future ones.
Agricultural, economic,
energy, and social
practices that maximise
energy efficiency, and
organic replacement rates
are therefore a priority.
Managing
the Cost
of this climate change is
crucial. It is estimated that
the cost of keeping global
warming below 2°C and
reducing GHG emissions
by 70% by 2020, could
be as little as €530 billion,
or 1% of the global GDP.
Action shall be taken
swiftly.
The UN
Copenhagen
Conference
has failed to decide on
a post-2012 framework
for climate change.
Alas, the 25%-40%
reduction in GHGs from
1990 levels by 2020 as
urged by the scientific
community is still far
from being met.
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