China and the U.S. have been intensifying efforts to phase down super polluting hydrofluorocarbons. (Photo : Reuters)
Scientists are now arguing that the current 2 degrees Celsius target limit for global warming is not enough.
The 2-degree limit was established by early scientists in back in the 1970s. Professor Petra Tschakert from the Penn State University said that the limit was inadequate.
Tshackert argued that the targeted global warming limit should be 1.5 degrees Celsius instead as negative impacts were already being experienced worldwide with just a 0.8 degrees Celsius average increase, according to US News.
"A 2 degrees Celsius danger level seemed utterly inadequate given the already observed impacts on ecosystems, food, livelihoods, and sustainable development," Tschackert wrote in for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report.
However, not all agreed with Tschakert on the 2-degree limit for climate change.
Nigel Arnell, another author for the report, said that additional research is required before lowering the target limit down to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He agreed that the current limit is questionable, but so is Tschakert's suggestion, according to Newscientist.
Several reports from the U.N. and the recent conventions such as the most recent one in Lima three months back have paved the way for a climate summit to be held in Paris on December.
Negotiators from around 200 countries will meet at the climate summit to discuss and reach an international consensus on measures to battle global warming.
U.S. President Barack Obama already took steps to help alleviate the negative effects of climate change.
Obama mandated several regulations for greener federal buildings, limiting the emissions of power plants and ensuring an efficient fuel economy standard for vehicles. He also paved the way for China's unprecedented pledge to stop the increase of the country's carbon emissions.
