TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan sees sea levels potentially rising by 1.2 meters in a scenario when global warming reaches 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which would increase the risk of flooding and harm crop production.
This dire outlook was revealed on Tuesday (March 1) in a report by the Taiwan Climate Change Projection Information and Adaptation Knowledge Platform, a project launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology. It follows the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report on Monday (Feb. 28).
Even if the increase in the average global temperature is limited to 2 degrees, rice harvests can be expected to fail, as can fisheries due to the warmer seawater. Areas suitable for alpine plants like alpine shrubs and fir trees would be cut in half by the end of the century, according to TCCIP research.
Warming is also likely to cause extreme weather events such as heavy rain, reduce the number of typhoons, and change precipitation patterns. These factors can lead to more severe droughts and floods. Extreme rainfall is already occurring in many parts of the country except the central region, per the report.
Those typhoons that do occur are projected to become stronger, resulting in more powerful waves and storm surges. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 0.5 m if temperatures are up 2 degrees.
As for the impact on public health, the incidence of dengue fever could rise and spread further north, and the number of days with poor air quality is likely to increase in winter, the study shows. Scientists are calling for better climate governance in Taiwan to help mitigate the consequences.
