Question

For each RCP describe the likely environmental impacts by the year 2100. What are the engineering, economic, and sociopolitical behaviors that would lead us along each RCP?

Answer 1

The likely environmental impacts by 2100 vary depending on the RCP scenario. RCP2.6 has moderate impacts, RCP4.5 has moderate impacts, RCP6 has significant impacts, and RCP8.5 has severe impacts. These impacts include changes in temperature, ecosystems, biodiversity, sea level rise, and extreme weather events.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely environmental impacts by the year 2100 for each RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) depend on the level of greenhouse gas emissions and the corresponding climate change scenarios. There are four RCP scenarios: RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6, and RCP8.5.

For RCP2.6, which represents a low emissions scenario, the likely environmental impacts by 2100 would be relatively moderate. The temperature increase would be limited to around 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, and there would be less severe impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and sea level rise compared to other scenarios.

For RCP4.5, which represents a medium-low emissions scenario, the environmental impacts by 2100 would be moderate. The temperature increase would be around 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, and there would be noticeable impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and sea level rise.

For RCP6, which represents a medium-high emissions scenario, the environmental impacts by 2100 would be significant. The temperature increase would be around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, and there would be substantial impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and sea level rise.

For RCP8.5, which represents a high emissions scenario, the environmental impacts by 2100 would be severe. The temperature increase could exceed 4 degrees Celsius, and there would be widespread and severe impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, sea level rise, and extreme weather events.