IEA Reveals Global Warming Trend: Temperatures to Rocket Past 2 Degree Target

The consequences of global warming are rising right along with Earth's temperatures. Although governments hoped to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius, it turns out that even that goal may be a longshot. A new report released by the International Energy Agency reveals that the world is right on track to double the 2 degree target, which means that policies need to be changed to reflect these new findings.

Global warming is a serious issue, and one that shouldn't be dismissed lightly. The rising temperatures can cause problems for nations across the globe. While melting permafrost can affect places like Alaska, Canada and Greenland, rising sea levels can drastically impact coastal cities and nations as the risk of flooding increases. In addition, the temperatures can affect weather patterns, influencing local environmental communities and agriculture.

Although limiting this warming trend to 2 degrees has long been the set goal, even that may be too much. Risks that were previously associated with a 2 degree rise are now thought to occur already at one degree, a threshold which Earth is rapidly approaching, according to The Huffington Post. Currently, though, it looks as if our climate will jet past the 2 degree threshold.

In fact, the new report states the world is most certainly not on track to meet the targeted goal agreed upon by governments. Global greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. In fact, in May 2013 the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time in several hundred millennia. In 2012 alone, carbon dioxide emissions from energy rose by 1.4 percent to a record high of more than 31 billion tons, according to The Guardian.

"This report shows that the path we are currently on is more likely to result in a temperature increase of between 3.6 degrees Celsius and 5.3 degrees Celsius," said IEA chief Maria van der Hoeven in a statement.

The new report urges that drastic changes need to be taken in order to meet the 2 degree goal. Currently, governments are negotiating under the United Nations to forge a global deal on emissions. Unfortunately, this contract wouldn't come into force until 2020--and by then it may be too late.

"I am very worried about the emissions trends," said Fatih Biron, chief economist at the IEA, in an interview with The Guardian. "The chance of keeping to 2C is still there, technically, but it is not very great. It is becoming extremely challenging."

Officials plan to meet in Bonn this week in order to continue talks. Although it's possible that the 2020 deadline could be pushed up, it still doesn't look good for global warming. Massive changes will need to be taken in the energy industry in order to limit the rising in temperatures. Whether or not these changes will occur, though, remains to be seen.