12.1.7

Climate Change Predictions

Test yourself

Climate Change Projections

Computer models use data to forecast what the world will look like in the future. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses projection graphs to show predicted temperature and sea-level changes in 4 scenarios:

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Temperature projection graphs

  • In scenario 1, greenhouse gas levels peak and then fall. For scenario 1 to happen, governments would have to act to reduce carbon emissions.
  • In scenarios 2 and 3, greenhouse gas levels keep rising for longer before eventually flattening out. This would be consistent with some action.
  • In scenario 4, emissions continue to increase. This would be similar to a situation where no countries or governments managed to co-ordinate any action together.
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Sea level rise projection graphs

  • Sea levels would rise materially in Scenario 4 and temperatures could be over 4°C higher than they were in 1900.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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