A lack of determined action on climate change means that by 2050 global warming of more than the targeted 2 degrees celsius will have taken place, a study released in Berlin Monday said.In its 'Tipping Points' report, environmental advocacy group WWF and global insurance firm Allianz said the consequences of emissions already made would, by 2050, likely include a global sea-level rise of 0.5 metres, disrupted monsoon rain patterns, Amazon die-back, and severe drought in the south-western United States.
The report's authors said that large, sudden changes would likely affect the world's climate, rather than a gradual, manageable process.
The report envisaged that the value of property and assets in port cities worldwide endangered by a 0.5m rise in sea level would amount to 28 trillion dollars by mid-century.
WWF also concluded that an average temperature rise of 3 degrees celsius was likely by the end of the 21st century, unless 'extremely radical and determined efforts towards deep cuts in emissions are put in place.'
Climate expert at WWF Regine Guenther said 'the most important next step is a legally binding agreement in Copenhagen.'
On December 7 world leaders will meet in the Danish capital to attempt to find a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol.
'Tipping Points' estimated that costs incurred from drought as a consequence of disrupted monsoon rains could reach 42 billion dollars per decade by 2050.