Carbon output must be ceased altogether to stop global warming

Washington, Mar 11 (UNI) The task of preventing the rise in global temperatures seems even more difficult than thought, as new studies suggest that carbon emissions have to be ceased altogether within this century to avert dangerous global warming.

Two studies published in separate journals contended that both industrialised and developing nations would have to stop using fossil fuels by as early as mid-century in order to prevent warming that could change precipitation patterns and dry up sources of water worldwide.

Scientist Ken Caldeira co-author of a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, said radical change in the world's energy system is needed, according to the Washington Post.

Author of another study professor Andreas Schmittner said if global emissions continue on a 'business as usual' path for the rest of the century, the Earth will warm by 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.

If it doesn't drop to zero until 2300, the temperature rise at that point would be more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit, professor Andreas Schmittner said in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

Most scientists warn a temperature rise of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit could have serious consequences, the report said.

While natural cycles remove roughly half of human-emitted carbon dioxide from the atmosphere within a hundred years, a significant portion persists for thousands of years Researchers have predicted for a long time that warming will persist even after the world's carbon emissions start to fall and that countries will have to dramatically curb their carbon output in order to avert severe climate change.

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