Skyrocketing Emissions
On April 21, 2017 it was as hot as 46.6°C in Guinea, in West-Africa.
That same time and day, a little bit to the south, at a spot in Sierra Leona, a level of carbon monoxide of 15.28 parts per million was recorded, while the temperature there was 40.6°C. Earlier that day, levels of carbon dioxide of 569 ppm were recorded at that same spot.
These high emissions are the signature of wildfires, illustrating the threat of what can occur as temperatures keep rising:
- Warming oceans.
- Accelerating temperature rises.
- Less sunlight being reflected back into space.
- More ocean heat escaping from the Arctic Ocean into the atmosphere.
- More heat remaining in the atmosphere due to less ocean mixing.
- More seafloor methane entering the atmosphere.
How Fast could Temperatures Rise?
When taking into account the many elements that are contributing to warming, a potential warming of 10°C could take place, leading to rapid mass extinction of many species, including humans.
So, how fast could such warming take place?
As above image illustrates, it could happen as fast as within the next four years time.
Extracted from http://arctic-news.blogspot.co.nz/2017/04/10c-or-18f-warmer-by-2021.html – 24 April 2017.