Eco-Apocalypse in 100 months

In 100 months time, rising greenhouse gas emissions could pass a critical "tipping point" resulting in dangerous climate change, claim researchers in the UK.

The New Economics Foundation (nef) has estimated the100 months duration by taking current carbon levels and calculating global carbon emissions into the future until the greenhouse effect raises the earth's surface temperature by 2 degrees C.

According to a research report, greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, which are at around 377 parts per million, would have to be stabilised at 400 ppm to avoid a rise of more than 2C.

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere today is the highest. Currently, around 1,000 tonnes of CO2 are released into the Earth's atmosphere every second, due to activities including deforestation, auto tailpipe emissions and release of industrial gases.

Greenhouse gases trap incoming solar radiation, warming the atmosphere. When these gases accumulate beyond a certain level - often termed a "tipping point" - global warming will soar, potentially beyond control.

If that happens, the Earth's climate will change to a more volatile state, with different ocean circulation, higher wind  strengths and change in rainfall patterns. Researchers warn that a change in the state of the climate system is potentially catastrophic for life on the planet.

To avoid reaching that tipping point, Andrew Simms nef's policy director and head of nef's climate change programme urges taking steps to make the energy system carbon free. Decentralising energy, investing in renewables, ensuring energy efficiency and conservation and managing demand can go along way in reducing carbon emission, adds Simms.

But time is short and radical changes are required globally to solve this problem.