UChiEnergy's JumboTweets
- Scientists have long warned of significant consequences if global temperatures increase by more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to the pre-industrial levels. In fact, fossil fuel combustion has already warmed our plant by roughly 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit. If the world is to avoid the worst potential effects of climate change, a significant portion of remaining fossil fuel resources will have to be left in the ground. As the chart shows, if we consume all the fossil fuels that are recoverable under today’s prices and technology, the planet would warm by an additional 2.8 degrees. If one adds to that the oil and natural gas resources that are recoverable with today’s technology, but not at current prices, there would be 3.1 degrees of additional warming. A middle-of-the-road estimate of coal resources indicates that its use would lead to an additional increase of 8.6 degrees. In total, consuming all known fossil fuel reserves and resources would cause warming of more than 16 degrees Fahrenheit.