Prime News
Effects of global warming 'unstoppable'
Chang Ai-Lien & Liaw Wy-Cin
660 words
3 February 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Humans responsible for conditions that will cause killer heatwaves,
floods and drought: UN
THE verdict is out.
That gas-guzzling SUV you drive, the air-conditioner that you leave
humming through the night - they are responsible for global
warming.
Worse, the damage from such human activities that consume fossil
fuels is unstoppable and will last centuries.
The result: Worsening killer heatwaves and floods, devastating
droughts, and stronger hurricanes and tropical storms, say 2,500
scientists from more than 130 countries.
Global temperatures and sea levels will also continue to rise, the
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said
yesterday in a bleak assessment of the future of the planet.
It predicted that by 2100:
Temperatures will rise by 1.8 deg C to 4.0 deg C; and
Sea levels, an area of particular concern to Singapore because of
the threat of flooding here, will rise by 18cm to 59cm.
It could be another 10cm to 20cm more if a relatively recent
phenomenon, the melting of polar ice sheets, continues.
The scientists also used their toughest language yet to point the
finger for such problems at humans, saying it is 'very likely'
humans are the cause of global warming. In scientific language,
this means they are at least 90 per cent certain of the
cause.
In their previous report in 2001, they had said a link between
human activity and global warming was only 'likely' - a 66 per cent
possibility.
In fact, some scientists had wanted the phrase 'virtually certain'
to be used, implying 99 per cent certainty. But this was toned down
after objections from some countries which rely on fossil fuels to
power economic growth, including China.
Nevertheless, the report has sounded a dire warning over the impact
of greenhouse gases pouring into the atmosphere from burning fossil
fuels - they are already at their highest levels in 650,000
years.
Temperatures also rose by 0.7 degC in the 20th century, and the 10
hottest years on record have happened since 1994.
UN Environment Programme head Achim Steiner urged governments to
revitalise stalled talks on long-term emissions cuts. 'Feb 2, 2007,
may be remembered as the day the question mark was removed from
whether (people) are to blame for climate change,' he told a news
conference.
Leaders, scientists and environmental groups have urged governments
and corporations to reduce emissions.
Said French President Jacques Chirac: 'Faced with this emergency,
now is not the time for half measures. It is the time for a
revolution, in the true sense of the term.'
The Kyoto Protocol - a plan for cutting emissions of greenhouse
gases by 2012 - has been severely weakened since the US - the top
source of greenhouse gases, pulled out in 2001.
The report is the first of four this year. The next one - due in
April - will discuss in depth the effects of global warming.
Responding to the report, Singapore's National Environment Agency
said last night that it is commissioning studies to look at the
impact of climate change on Singapore.
These studies, on rainfall patterns and the effects of extreme
weather, among other things, will help in planning measures to deal
with the impact of the changing climate.
Meanwhile, National Institute of Education geography lecturer Chang
Chew Hung said the greatest disruptions here from climate changes
would come from freak weather conditions such as flash floods -
similar to those that have drenched the country over the last two
months.
He added, though, that Singapore would not be submerged.
Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw said:
'Enough has been done as far as legislation can do, but not enough
is done by the people. You need a lifestyle change by the people
themselves.'
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