UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

cities to floods that endanger urban infrastructure. Most of these areas are located in Asia, but London, San Francisco, New York and Buenos Aires may also suffer in the future. Also, as a result of continued warming, Europe’s mountain glaciers are progressively shrinking. Last summer, droughts caused a two-month halt in ship traffic on the Rhine, Europe’s most important river route, as the water was at a record-low level for several months. The Rhine is dependent not only on rain, but also on water from themelting of alpine glaciers. The amount of water in the river is being steadily depleted because of global warming, which augurs even bigger challenges for ship traffic in the future. Crippled by dry spells Himalayan glaciers provide fresh water for many big rivers in Asia. As the glaciers shrink, less water will flow into these rivers, posing major problems for agriculture and, in the long term, for life and prosperity overall. So far, changes in rainfall have been among the most critical factors determining theoverall impact of climate change. “If we continue at current emission standards, the average temperature will rise approximately 3–5°C by the end of the century from 19th century levels, and up to 4 additional degrees in the next century. Drought, precipitation and rising sea levels will change agriculture so significantly that our capacity to produce enough food for the Earth’s growing population will be at risk,” Taalas estimates. In Africa, drought-plagued areas are spreading further southward and northward, but many other important agricultural areas are suffering, too. “By the end of the century, Africa may be home to up to four billion people. Agriculture is a significant employer and the basis of many economies. If climate

conditions deteriorate radically, this could lead to crises and significant streams of refugees.” Summit for change According to Taalas, the Paris Agreement signed four years ago is not being put into effect fast enough. “If we want to comply with the 1.5-degree trajectory specified by the IPCC, we must reverse the growth of emissions in the next five years and phase out fossil fuels completely by 2050. If we aim for the two-degree limit of the Paris Agreement, we have until 2070 to give up fossil energy.” In the past, developed countries have been the worst greenhouse gas polluters, but in the past 20 years, Asia has taken the lead. Countries outside the OECD have also increased their emissions rapidly in recent years. “Even if the US government withdrew from the Agreement, many American enterprises, cities and states have ambitious goals and practices for mitigating climate change.” Although solar and wind energy are growing by double-digit figures, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the rate is not fast enough to keep up with growing electricity consumption. The deficit is mainly filled with fossil fuels. This alarming trend is a source of grave global concern. António Guterres , Secretary-General of the UN, is organising a UN Climate Change Summit in autumn, with Taalas in charge of the scientific side. “Our aim is for member countries to discuss new opportunities that allow us to move towards a low- emission world at a faster pace.

“Finland’s industrial production processes are environmentally sound and climate- friendly. Pulp, paper and cardboard are needed globally.” – Petteri Taalas

The1change is also a business opportunity fromwhich the forerunners can gain the best benefits.” 

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