New Delhi, The Word Bank has warned that without immediate action global temperatures could rise up to 4 degrees in the next 50 years. Global temperatures have already risen about 0.8 degrees. This unprecedented rise in temperature comes with increased risk of extreme rainfall and drought.
River basins like the Ganga would be particularly vulnerable to changes in seasonal runoff, which would affect availability of water. It would also lead to inundation of coastal areas. And India with its long coastline would be vulnerable.
Acidity of seas is expected to rise at an unprecedented level as well, threatening the livelihood of millions of fishermen. Ensuring adequate food and agricultural output to meet the demands of a rising population and levels of income will then be a greater challenge.
At Cancun in 2010, countries had agreed to contain global temperature to 2 degrees by 2100. However, the scientists and analysts have maintained that action being taken by countries to reduce emissions is not enough to meet this temperature goal. Further talks on climate change, sponsored by the United Nations, are expected next week at Doha.
