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Half a degree matters to curb disaster risk

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Introduction

The difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of global warming may not seem significant. But research shows that failing to limit global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels will significantly increase disaster risk.

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Knowledge base

Research briefs

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would save billions of people from dangerously hot climate

If climate change continues as it has so far, more than one-fifth of the global population could be exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by the end of the century, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Updates

New climate predictions assess global temperatures in coming five years

The annual mean global temperature is likely to be at least 1° Celsius above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) in each of the coming five years (2020-2024).
World Meteorological Organization
Research briefs

Investments to address climate change are good business

New research finds that reducing climate change is expected to cost much less than the damage that climate impacts will inflict on people, infrastructure and ecosystems.
University of East Anglia
Research briefs

More persistent heat, drought and rain in a warming world

New research is the first to show that the persistence of warm, dry and rainy periods would increase in Europe, North America and Asia under 1.5°C and 2°C of warming.
Humboldt University of Berlin
Documents and publications
2019

Amplification of risks to water supply at 1.5°C and 2°C in drying climates: a case study for Melbourne, Australia

Human-induced climate change poses a major threat to the reliable water supply in many highly populated regions. Here, the authors of this report combine hydrological and climate model simulations to evaluate risks to the water supply under projected

IOP Science
Documents and publications
2019

Tens of thousands additional deaths annually in cities of China between 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C warming

The increase in surface air temperature in China has been faster than the global rate, and more high temperature spells are expected to occur in future. Here, the authors assess the annual heat-related mortality in densely populated cities of China at 1.5

Nature Communications
Research briefs

More than half the world could see 'record-setting heat' every year by 2100

Unless global warming can be limited to below 2°C, more than half the world could see new heat records every year until the end of the century.
Carbon Brief
Documents and publications
2019

Increasing mitigation ambition to meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal avoids substantial heat-related mortality in U.S. cities

Current greenhouse gas mitigation ambition is consistent with ~3°C global mean warming above preindustrial levels. There is a clear need to strengthen mitigation ambition to stabilize the climate at the Paris Agreement goal of warming of less than 2°C

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Updates

Little time for farmers to deal with rainfall changes from global warming, study says

New research reveals that an intense decrease in greenhouse gas emissions is needed if farmers are to have time to protect their crops from excess or declining rainfall. If emissions continue at the current rate or increase, some regions will see changes as early as 2020, a striking development given that rain fed-agriculture produces most of the world's crops.
Thomson Reuters Foundation, trust.org
Documents and publications
2018

Temperature and precipitation extremes under current, 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C global warming above pre-industrial levels over Botswana, and implications for climate change vulnerability

Climate extremes are widely projected to become more severe as the global climate continues to warm due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. These extremes often cause the most severe impacts on society. Therefore, the extent to which the extremes

IOP Science