/CO2
/CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The consequences of climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), a scientific forum affiliated to the United Nations that was established in 1988 and is composed of experts from all over the world , estimates that temperatures over this century may increase by between 1.4 and 5.8ºC. This will lead to environmental damage and lower resource availability, especially in poor countries. Ecosystems and economic activities such as agriculture and fishing will be affected and the composition and distribution of many ecosystems will tend to shift to greater altitude and higher latitudes, which will speed up the loss of biodiversity.
Major climate changes may also occur in conjunction with these alterations, such as the melting of polar ice caps, a rise of the sea level (between 15 and 95 cm by 2100, according to the IPPC), the flooding of lowlands, droughts, storms as well as other extreme climate phenomena.
These estimates provided the fuel for an international agreement, to be complied with by all member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This agreement, known as the Kyoto Protocol, has been in force since 2005. Its stated aim for 2008-2012 is a 5.2% reduction in worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, taking 1990 as a reference. The Kyoto target for Europe is -8% relative to 1990. Portugal’s emission may increase by 27%, under a responsibility sharing agreement. Portugal has, however, already exceeded this increase.