Updated Science: Climate Change Is Happening Faster Than Predicted

09-28-09 Image Sustainability Institute

The United Nations Environment Program released an excellent report summarizing scientific evidence from over 400 sources that have emerged since the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report.

This compendium affirms that climate change is happening faster than previous estimates predicted.

As Juliet Eilperin highlights in New Analysis Brings Dire Forecast of 6.3 Degree Temperature Increase:

“…climate researchers now predict the planet will warm by 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century even if the world’s leaders fulfill their most ambitious climate pledges, a much faster and broader scale of change than forecast just two years ago.”

As my good friend Dr. Bob Corell, who chairs the Climate Action Initiative that reviewed the report, says about this amount of global temperature rise: “We don’t want to go there.”

Since 40 to 70 percent of the world’s species will have significant extinctions if temperatures rise more than 7.2°F, it’s time for those of us dedicated to helping safeguard wildlife speak up now.

Our legislators will be releasing a climate plan of action this week.

If we let our voices be heard along with the more than 70% of likely voters who support comprehensive climate and clean energy action we can help protect wildlife from the worst impacts of a warming world.

If we don’t speak up for wildlife now, who will?