Читать книгу Carbon Counter - Mark Lynas - Страница 14

 The Kalahari Desert spreads across Botswana, engulfing the capital in sand dunes, and driving millions of refugees out to surrounding countries.

 A permanent El Niño (see tip, right) grips the Pacific, causing weather chaos around the world, and drought in the Amazon.

 Water runs short in Perth, Sydney and other parts of Australia away from the far north and south.

 Agriculture shifts into the far north – Norway’s growing season becomes like southern England is today. But with declines in the tropics and subtropics due to heat and drought, the world tips into net food deficit.

 The whole Amazonian ecosystem collapses in a conflagration of fire and destruction – desert and savannah eventually take over where the world’s largest rainforest once stood. Huge amounts of carbon pour into the atmosphere, adding another degree to global warming.

 Hurricanes strike the tropics that are half a category stronger than today’s, with higher wind speeds and rainfall. Wind speeds in the strongest storms could rise to 200 miles per hour.

 The Indus River runs dry due to glacial retreat in the Himalayas, forcing millions of refugees to flee Pakistan. Possible nuclear conflict with India over water supplies.