With No Changes to CO2 Emissions, Global Warming to Exceed 4 C Between 2081 & 2100

Researchers reviewed the likelihood of continued changes to the terrestrial climate, including an analysis of a collection of 27 climate models. If emissions of heat-trapping gases continue along the recent trajectory, 21st century mean annual global warming could exceed 3.6 °F ( 2 °C) over most terrestrial regions during 2046 to 2065 and 7.2 °F (4 °C) during 2081-2100. If warming occurs at this pace, it will probably be the most rapid large climate change in the last 65 million years.

The review, published in the August 2 issue of Science, was conducted by Stanford University's Noah Diffenbaugh and the director of the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology Chris Field.

"With a high scenario for future greenhouse gas emissions, the largest warming occurs over the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, but all land areas warm dramatically," remarked Field