2018 SR 1.5

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Warming of 1.5 °C is projected to lead to more frequent and severe heat waves, heavy precipitation, and droughts in many regions.

Question 2

Sea level rise

Answer 2

A 1.5 °C increase in global warming would result in a global sea level rise of around 0.1 meter (4 inches) less than a 2 °C increase. However, even this lower level of warming would still result in significant sea level rise, coastal flooding, and shoreline erosion.

Question 3

Oceans

Answer 3

Coral reefs are projected to decline by a further 70-90% at 1.5 °C of warming, and virtually all (> 99%) at 2 °C or more.
Oceans are projected to warm and acidify, resulting in changes to marine ecosystems and a decrease in fish stocks.

Question 4

Extreme weather

Answer 4

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, and tropical cyclones is projected to increase with global warming.

Question 5

Ecosystems

Answer 5

Warming of 1.5 °C is projected to lead to widespread loss of biodiversity, including coral reefs, and reductions in the productivity of ecosystems such as forests, mangroves and seagrass meadows.

Question 6

Human systems

Answer 6

Climate change is projected to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and indigenous peoples.
It will also impact various sectors including water, food security, and human health.