Global Warming Study: Nations Need to Cut Emissions by 70 Percent

The threat of global warming can be significantly lessened if nations cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 70 percent this century, according to a new study. This would help reduce the most dangerous aspects of climate change including massive losses of Arctic sea ice and permafrost and significant sea level rise, although global temperatures will still rise.

The study, led by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), will be published in Geophysical Research Letters. It was funded by the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, NCAR's sponsor.

"This research indicates that we can no longer avoid significant warming during this century," said NCAR scientist Warren Washington, the lead author for the study. However, a catastrophe can be avoided if the world implements the recommended emission cuts of 70 percent, he said.

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