Current emissions pathways are taking us above the Paris Agreement goals. We presented the latest science on impacts of climate change at 1.5°C, 2°C and 4°C global warming at the UNFCCC Conference in Katowice, Poland.
Richard Betts
The Conversation featured article: Hothouse Earth: here’s what the science actually does – and doesn’t – say
A new scientific paper proposing a scenario of unstoppable climate change has gone viral, thanks to its evocative description of a “Hothouse Earth”. Richard Betts analyses its content. Much of the media coverage suggests that we face an imminent and unavoidable extreme climate catastrophe. But as a climate scientist who has carried out similar research myself, […]
Climate change could raise food insecurity risk
Our research suggests that weather extremes caused by climate change could raise the risk of food shortages in many countries. We looked at the difference between global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C and found that – despite increased vulnerability to food insecurity in both scenarios – the effects could be worse for most countries at 2°C. […]
Some impacts of Climate Change are already locked-in
Others are not – we have a choice over whether we avoid them or not We are certain to see sea level rise, says Prof. Richard Betts. We already warmed the earth by 1oC relative to preindustrial levels but the full effect has not kicked in yet. It takes a long time for ice on […]
The Conversation featured article: Glastonbury 2070? by HELIX Director, Richard Betts
Glastonbury 2070? How the festival might have to cope with 4℃ of global warming Richard Betts, University of Exeter Glastonbury, Britain’s largest and most famous music festival, is a great symbol of the many faces of the global climate change debate. It’s full of people enjoying life and relying on technology, easily available energy and […]
HELIX Director, Richard Betts, to talk climate change at Glastonbury
At the festival’s Speaker’s Forum, Richard Betts will discuss the science of climate change and take part in panel discussions and interviews with other prominent figures in the climate change debate. “Climate change is a complex topic with some important and fascinating science behind it,” says Professor Betts. “As we continue the debate on what […]
Global flood risk could increase five-fold with a 4°C temperature rise
A new report looks at flood risk and economic damages under different global warming scenarios with temperature increases of 1.5, 2 and 4°C. It concludes that, if global temperatures rise by 4°C, the flood risk in countries representing more than 70% of the global population and global GDP will increase by more than 500%. The research is led […]
