The new assessment is good news for small island states, such as Tuvalu, which could be inundated by rising seas if the average temperature rose by more than 1.5C AFP/Getty ImagesCatastrophic impacts of climate change can still be avoided, according to scientists who have admitted they were too pessimistic about the chances of limiting global warming. The world has warmed more slowly than had been predicted by computer models, which were “on the hot side” and overstated the impact of emissions on average temperature, research has found. New forecasts suggest that the world has a better chance than claimed of meeting the goal set by the Paris Agreement on climate change of limiting warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Geoscience, makes clear that rapid reductions in emissions will still be required but suggests that the world has more time to make the necessary changes. Michael Grubb, professor…

Source: The Times September 18, 2017 15:56 UTC