The world is set to use up three quarters of a theoretical carbon budget that would limit global warming to safe levels within 15 years, the United Nations said.
The world will pump out 748 gigatons (748 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide from 2012 through 2030, the world body said Friday in an e-mailed report that analyzed emissions pledges by 146 nations. Exceeding 1,000 gigatons means the world risks a temperature increase since preindustrial times of more than 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Beyond that, scientists say the effects of global warming, including melting ice caps, rising seas and stronger storms, may become unmanageable.
