歷經5年研究評估:氣候變遷造成熱浪襲歐 | 環境資訊中心
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歷經5年研究評估:氣候變遷造成熱浪襲歐

2005年12月07日
ENS丹麥,哥本哈根報導;楊璧如、蘇家億編譯;蔡麗伶審校

根據歐洲環境署在1日發刊的環境現況報告中提到,氣候變遷帶來的影響,是造成歐洲現正經歷的環境挑戰的主因。就近期的數據指出,瑞士境內3/4的冰河將在2050年前融化殆盡。報告的內容亦呼籲,現在政治決策者,企業及一般民眾必須即刻採取防治的行動,否則之後將會付出嚴重的代價。

紀錄上最熱的4年包括1998、2002、2003和2004年。在阿爾卑斯山,光是2003年的夏天,就有10%的冰山融化。依照這個速度,瑞士境內四分之三的冰河會在2050年融化殆盡、歐洲已經有5000年未有如此劇烈的氣候變化。

歐盟環境署執行長麥克葛雷說:「若無有效的行動,全球暖化數十年後將會看到北方冰原溶化,南方沙漠遍布的景象。大陸上的人口將更往大陸中心聚集。如果我們使得全球暖化,氣溫增加2℃,達到歐盟設定的上限的話,我們將會生活在一個人類從未經歷的環境之中。更大量減少廢氣的排放是必要的。」

這份名為《歐洲環境現狀及展望2005》的報告,評估內容共橫跨31個國家,歷時5年,是歐洲整體環境的一份綜合評估,而氣候變遷正是報告中指出的諸多未來挑戰之一。報告中提及的其他議題包括生物多樣性、海洋生態系、土地及水資源、空氣污染和健康。

報告中指出,在20世紀,歐洲的平均溫度上升0.95℃。這比全球溫度升高幅度0.7℃還高出35%,而且溫度仍持續上升中。歐盟已認知到這點,並設定溫度控制的目標為:讓全球均溫只比工業化之前高出2℃。

Europe Feels the Heat, Five Year Assessment Finds
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, December 2, 2005 (ENS)

Climate change tops the list of environmental challenges facing Europe, according to a State of the Environment report issued Tuesday by the European Environment Agency. At current rates, three quarters of Switzerland's glaciers will have melted by 2050. Policy makers, businesses and individuals must act now or pay a heavy price later, the report warns.

The four hottest years on record were 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Ten percent of Alpine glaciers disappeared during the summer of 2003 alone. At current rates, three quarters of Switzerland's glaciers will have melted by 2050. Europe has not seen climate changes on this scale for 5,000 years, says the new report.

"Without effective action over several decades, global warming will see ice sheets melting in the north and the spread of deserts from the south. The continent's population could effectively become concentrated in the center. Even if we constrain global warming to the EU target of a two degree increase, we will be living in atmospheric conditions that human beings have never experienced. Deeper cuts in emissions are needed," says Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environment Agency (EEA).

"The European Environment - State and Outlook 2005," a five year assessment across 31 countries, provides an overview of Europe's environment and points to challenges of which climate change is just one. Other areas of concern include biodiversity, marine ecosystems, land and water resources, air pollution and health.

The report says Europe's average temperature rose by 0.95 degrees Celsius during the 20th century. This is 35 percent higher than the global average increase of 0.7 degrees C and temperatures will continue to rise. The EU has recognized this and set a target limiting the global temperature increase to 2 degrees C above pre industrial levels.

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.