Scientists from China, the USA and Europe warn if greenhouse gas emissions are not cut, areas of the planet with one-third of humans will become as as hot as the hottest parts of the Sahara within 50 years.
The research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that around 3.5 billion people would live outside the climate niche if rapid heating takes place.
"Rising mortality impacts of heat waves on dense populations in already-hot places such as India invite further scrutiny", says the report.
The study further says,
Since with the rapid temperature rise, the global population too will go through changes, around 30% of the world's projected population will live in places with an average temperature above 29°C within 50 years if greenhouse gad emission is not controlled.
Currently, such climate conditions are experienced by just 0.8% of the global land surface, mostly in the hottest parts of the Sahara desert.
Professor Marten Scheffer of Wageningen University, who coordinated the research with Xu Chi, of Nanjing University says,
He also warns saying, "Not only would this have devastating direct effects, it leaves societies less able to cope with future crises like new pandemics. The only thing that can stop this happening is a rapid cut in carbon emissions."
Co-author Tim Lenton, climate specialist and Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter points out that this impact can be reduced if we succeed in curbing global warming. He adds, “Our computations show that each degree warming above present levels corresponds to roughly one billion people falling outside of the climate niche. It is important that we can now express the benefits of curbing greenhouse gas emissions in something more human than just monetary terms.”
Further, the authors of the study also noted that if people are exposed to such a heat, they will likely migrate in large numbers.
“Foreseeing the actual magnitude of climate driven migration remains challenging”, says the study.
One of the scientists also adds that we need a global approach to "safeguard our children against the potentially enormous social tensions the projected change could invoke."
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