Photo Gallery IPCC Report
Icebergs could melt, while animal and plant species become extinct. The rising temperatures threaten to increase the number of floods, droughts and infectious diseases. The UN climate report paints a grim picutre. Global warming cannot be stopped -- all we can do is slow it down.
Around a half of CO2 emissions don't stay in the atmosphere but are absorbed by oceans and plants. But these natural carbon absorbers can be overestimated. Forests are absorbing around 40 percent less CO2 than previously assumed, according to a recent study.
Emissions saving potential in various economic sectors by 2030.
The graphic compares the actual level of climate change, represented by the black line, with the blue band showing climate models based on natural forces and the pink band showing models based on both natural and human forces. The graphic proves that climate change is a result of human action.
Graphic a: Global annual emissions of greenhouse gases from 1970 to 2004. Graphic b: Share of greenhouse gases in total emissions in 2004. Graphic c: The share of different economic sectors in these emissions.
The changes in temperature between 1974 and 2004.
A hot future: Average temperature projection for the end of the 21st century (2090-2099.)
Graphic on the left: Different scenarios for global CO2 emissions from 2000-2100. Graphic on the right: Range of estimates for global average temperature change to 2100.
Global mitigation potential in 2030.
Correlation between global temperature changes, rising sea levels and snow cover in the Northeren Hemisphere.
Scenarios: Emissions ranges for stabilization. It could take centuries to get back to a normal temperature.
