If we continue emitting greenhouse gases this warming will continue and delaying action will make the problem more difficult to fix
The global average temperature will increase by 2 to 3 °C this century – according to one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) mid-range estimates (blue line on the graph below). This rise in temperature means that the Earth will experience a greater climate change than it has for at least 10,000 years and it would be difficult for many people and ecosystems to adapt to this rapid change.
These temperature increases are likely to result in an increased frequency and severity of weather events such as heatwaves, storms and flooding. Rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could set in motion large-scale changes in Earth’s natural systems. Some of these could be irreversible — the melting of large ice sheets will result in major consequences for low-lying areas throughout the world.
