Half a degree more warming may cause dramatic differences on drought-flood compound risks
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 - 09:20
in Earth & Climate
In 2015, to combat the urgent threats posed by climate change, most of the world's countries came together to establish the Paris Agreement, an ambitious plan to prevent the global temperature from rising 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels, and to work to further limit that temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C. These seemingly small numbers can mask the staggering impact and complexity that shifts in global temperature represent. For example, increased global temperature will also intensify the hydrologic cycle, significantly changing the frequency and intensity of rainfall. Flooding, droughts, mudslides, and food and water insecurity are just some of the many hazards of the resulting changes in rainfall patterns.