Introduction: Four degrees or more?

Abstract

This book is based on a simple premise. Public debate and policy choices about climate change should be based on the best available evidence about the risks we face. Decisions about how much and when we should cut our emissions, and how much we should spend on adaptation, should be determined by what we understand and accept are the costs and consequences of failing to take sufcient action. Australia has committed itself to trying to help limit global warming to 2°C. Yet there is widespread agreement that current mitigation efforts - including Australia’s - will lead to global average warming of 4°C or more from pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. .. to a Four Degree World. The..