For the first time in five million years the earth’s atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is about to rise above 400 parts per million (ppm).
UQ Global Change Institute Director Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg’s research has found marine ecosystems will be affected adversely if atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise to more than 80% above pre-industrial levels. The milestone is an important “wake-up call for policy-makers” to deal with rapid anthropogenic global climate change.
Citing an IPCC analysis, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg says that lowering GDP growth by 0.12% a year over the next 50 years, or losing one year of growth out of 50, is all that is required to reduce emissions to avoid the 450ppm or 2 degrees celcius guardrail suggested by climate scientists.
Read more at The University of Queensland