UN report reveals severe floods, deadly wildfires, and heat waves from climate change

Nowhere to run, no place to hide: devastating UN report reveals severe floods, deadly wildfires, and heat waves from climate change are already ravaging the US as global temperature expected to rise by 2.7°F by 2040

Scientists expect temperatures to rise 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels up to a decade earlier than expected.

This was thought to happen between 2030 and 2052 but is now projected between now and 2040

The explosive UN report comes as heatwaves, wildfires, and floods hit countries around the world.

This year, the United States is experiencing such events with more than 3,000 wildfires, more than $8 billion in flood damage, and more than 3,000 people killed in heatwaves.

"It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, oceans, and land," the report warned.

Report: Almost confirmed 'heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in most land areas

The authors said a sea-level rise of nearly six feet by the end of this century "cannot be ruled out."

They also warned that the Arctic would likely be "virtually sea ice-free" in September at least once before 2050.

But some experts say they remain hopeful that cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will stabilize rising temperatures.

Scientists at the United Nations have sounded the alarm about feeding humans dangerous greenhouse gases for the past 30 years. Still, 234 experts issued the most devastating assessment yet that the United States is headed toward disaster on Monday.

The 3,949-page assessment warned that floods, deadly fires, and heat waves would not only become the norm but intensify in an increasingly warming world.

Scientists expected temperatures to rise 2.7 F (1.5 C) above pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2052, but they now believe this will happen between this year and 2040.

The consequences are already tearing across the country: This summer alone, scorching heatwaves have killed more than 3,000 Americans and cost wildfires at least $8 billion. In comparison, floods have caused nearly $75 billion in damage in the past 30 years.

California is currently experiencing the second-worst wildfire ever, the Dixie Fire, and the largest burning fire in US history.

The fire, which was only 21 percent contained, destroyed 404 buildings and 185 minor structures and damaged an additional 38 — burning about 463,477.

The 3,949-page assessment warned that floods, deadly fires, and heat waves would not only become the norm but intensify in an increasingly warming world.

The 2.7F (1.5C) mark is the point at which climate change becomes increasingly dangerous.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the new report as "the red symbol of humanity."

"The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk," he warned.

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