The failure of nations to limit global temperatures from rising over 1.5C warmer than they were in the pre-industrial era could cost the world economy more than $600 trillion (£480 trillion) by the end of the century, new research warns. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest estimations, global temperatures are already on course to reach 1.5C of warming between 2030 and 2052, which would cause “dramatic damage”, the new research says. But the researchers said if countries take concerted action to reduce emissions the world stands to gain economically. The international team of climate experts simulated the costs of global cooperative action under a variety of scenarios. Writing in the journal Nature Communications, they forecast the planet could gain $336-422 trillion (£270-£338 trillion) by 2100, if action is rapidly taken to keep warming to 2C and 1.5C respectively.
Harry Cockburn. The Independent. April 15, 2020.
