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08-31-2016

Study: Global Pledges To Cut Carbon Emissions

Study: Global Pledges To Cut Carbon Emissions Will Actually Help. A climate research group says carbon emissions cuts pledged by governments could rein in global warming by up to 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F) by 2100.

On Thursday – the deadline for submitting pledges for a U.N. climate pact – the Climate Action Tracker group said if fully implemented, the emissions targets would result in 2.7 C (4.9 F) of warming compared to pre-industrial times. Without those cuts, the group calculated that there would be an additional 0.5-1.1 C (0.9-2.0 F) of warming. Study: Global Pledges To Cut Carbon Emissions Will Actually Help

Currently, temperatures are about 1.8 C (3.2 F) warmer than in pre-industrial times.

A separate analysis this week by the U.S.-based Climate Interactive group projected 3.5 C (6.3 F) of warming based on the current pledges. Study: Global Pledges To Cut Carbon Emissions Will Actually HelpAt the global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are: 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Fossil fuel use is the primary source of CO2. CO2 can also be emitted from direct human-induced impacts on forestry and other land use, such as through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, and degradation of soils. Likewise, land can also remove CO2 from the atmosphere through reforestation, improvement of soils, and other activities. 2. Methane (CH4): Agricultural.

All major carbon polluters except India submitted targets by Thursday.

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