You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Showing posts with label Natural Diasasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natural Diasasters. Show all posts

Thursday, October 26, 2017

The killer number one



The killer number one

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring
The report is just on my desk. Maybe also on yours. I didn’t get surprised anymore. Maybe you too!
Pollution kills more people each year than wars, disasters and hunger, also causing huge economic damage, a study says. Almost half the total deaths occur in just two countries.
Environmental pollution is killing more people every year than smoking, hunger or natural disasters, according to a major study released in The Lancet medical journal last  Thursday. One in every six premature deaths worldwide in 2015, could be attributed to diseases caused by toxins in air or water, the study says.
Of the 9 million people killed prematurely by pollution, air pollution was the main cause of deaths, responsible for 6.5 million of the fatalities, followed by water pollution, which killed 1.8 million.
Meanwhile air pollution is also the ‘top health hazard in Europe’. The estimate of 9 million pre-mature deaths, considered conservative by the authors, is one and a half times higher than the number of people killed by smoking, and three times the death toll from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. It is also 15 times the number of people killed in war or other forms of violence.
Ninety-two percent of pollution-related deaths occurred in low- or middle-income developing countries, with India topping the list at 2.5 million, followed by China at 1.8 million.
Economic costs reach no limit in the polluted sky. The report also attributed massive costs to pollution-related death, sickness and welfare, estimating the costs at some $4.6 trillion (€3.89 trillion) in annual losses — or about 6.2 percent of the global economy.
“What people don’t realize is that pollution does damage to economies. People who are sick or dead cannot contribute to the economy. They need to be looked after,” said one of the study’s authors, Richard Fuller, who is head of the global pollution watchdog Pure Earth.
“There is this myth that finance ministers still live by: that you have to let industry pollute or else you won’t develop. It just isn’t true,” he said. And it’s so very true!
According to the study, the financial burden also hits poorer countries hardest, with low-income countries paying 8.3 percent of their GNP to tackle the harm caused by pollution, as compared with 4.5 percent in richer countries.
The Lancet editors Pamela Das and Richard Horton said the report came at a “worrisome time, when the US government’s Environmental Protection Agency, headed by Scott Pruitt, is undermining established environmental regulations.”
Pruitt announced this month that the US, a major producer of air pollution and greenhouse gases, would be pulling out of former President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan. The plan, which aimed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production, was expected by the EPA to also reduce smog and soot in the air by 25 percent and thus avoid thousands of premature deaths through asthma and other lung conditions.
Das and Horton said the latest findings should serve as a “call to action.” “Pollution is a winnable battle … Current and future generations deserve a pollution-free world,” they said.
Sure, we all hear and read daily calls to action. But really happened? No deeds follow. Just empty words and statements… . Quo vadis Mother Earth?

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Do You Again Enjoy Floods?

Do you again enjoy floods?

OPINION In My OpinioNIN MY OPINION
Klaus Doring
I asked this question already many times in the past. Also at this corner. While writing this piece, I have to admit, that the sun shines and the sky looks so beautiful and blue. Fact is: our climate changes. Nothing new. Many people around me squarely blamed the climate change and mentioned El Niño nowadays not only in Region 11 in the Philippines. I must confess: the weather really changed. Not only now.
Maybe you consider my headline a little bit sarcastic. Maybe this column may sound like a “curtain lecture”. It might sound as a “love’s labor lost”… “Much ado about nothing”! Really?
As Th. Campbell said in his “Lochiel’s Warning”, “Coming events cast their shadows before”. Of course: NO to floods! What a crazy question! But prevention is indeed better than cure. Let’s face it, if we don’t try to alter our lifestyle NOW, we may once again face to face with the disastrous effects of typhoons and heavy rains.  Much effort has already been undertaken regarding the issue by our local and national governments in segregating wastes properly. But many of us really don’t seem to learn. We are enthusiastic at the beginning, but we give up halfway. Why can I observe so many garbage at many corners? Why  indiscriminate dumping remains one of the causes of flash floods?
Most of our drainage systems are also still clogged by wastes of different kinds, rendering them useless. Guys, try to become “intelligent consumers”, meaning to say: we must be conscious of those products we consume and where they will go after we are done using them.
Natural disasters in-deed occur all the time. But they are getting more destructive. It seems we are no more having control over our beloved Mother Nature, which is suffering more and more – because of US!
I am still meeting people shedding tears over the “wrong  incoming president of the Philip-pines, Rodrigo Duterte”. Why? He is indeed opening up old sores and is bringing up old subjects. What’s wrong in agreeing with the EcoWaste Coalition expressing support to presumptive President Duterte’s plan to ban firecrackers and fireworks nationwide? It’s indeed saving lives and is protecting the environment and the public health from hazardous emissions and wastes.
Yes, it’s indeed high time that the Philippines, a climate hot spot, bid goodbye to New Year pollution and mayhem. I strongly agree that banning firecrackers and fireworks will indeed help in meeting the objectives of the Clean Air Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Water Act, Climate Change Act, Animal Welfare Act and several other environmental and health laws somehow remained forgotten during the last years.
I am also glad to learn that the new president is planning to initiate major changes in the economic provisions of the Constitution, including those on foreign business owner-ship, to attract more investors. Personally, I do know that several foreign investors are still waiting for “the right moment” to settle down especially in Davao City and whole Mindanao – the many times forgotten part of the Philippines.
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Email:doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Twitter or Facebook or visit www.germanexpatinthe thilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com .

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Metro Manila Braces for Strong Rains as 'Nona" Maintains Strength

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 12/15/15 1:50 AM

 

Five areas remain under storm signal number 3
MANILA - (UPDATED) State weather bureau PAGASA said early morning on Tuesday that Typhoon Nona has slightly weakened with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 170 kph.
The typhoon was moving west at 15 kph.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said heavy to intense rainfall is expected within the typhoon's 250-km diameter.
In an earlier announcement, the state weather bureau said that Metro Manila should expect light to moderate to at times heavy ‪‎rains‬. Nearby areas of Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna are likewise expecting the same amount of rainfall.
Public storm warning signal number 3 remained hoisted over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island Marinduque and Romblon.
Areas under signal number 3 would experience 121-170 kph of winds in 18 hours. Storm surge in coastal areas may reach up to 3.6 meters, the weather bureau added.
Meanwhile, public storm signal number 2 was raised over Burias Islands, Southern Quezon, Batangas and Calamian Group of Islands.
Areas under signal number 2 should expect 61-120 kph of winds in 24 hours.
Public storm signal number 1 was declared in the following areas:
Metro Manila
Masbate including Ticao Island
Camarines Sur
Camarines Norte
Albay
Cavite
Laguna
Bulacan
Rizal
Northern Palawan
Bataan
Rest of Quezon
Aklan
Capiz
Antique
Iloilo
Areas under signal number 1 should expect 30-60 kph of winds in 36 hours.
The eye of Typhoon Nona was last seen 40 kms north-northeast of Romblon, Romblon, as of 4 a.m. on Tuesday.
Flash floods and landslides are expected in areas under signals number 2 and number 3, while storm surges of up to three meters are possible.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued by PAGASA.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FLEE DUE TO 'NONA'
More than 700,000 people in the central Philippines fled to safer areas for fear of giant waves, floods or landslides as Typhoon Nona slammed into the country on Monday.
In Albay, almost 600,000 people were evacuated due to fears that heavy rain could cause mudslides on the slopes of nearby Mayon Volcano, according to the national disaster monitoring office.
"The whole province is now a ghost town. We shut all establishments. No school, no work," Albay Governor Joey Salceda told ABS-CBN News.
POWER SUPPLY CUT IN BICOL, SAMAR
Meanwhile, several towns in the Bicol region and in the Samar provinces experienced power outages as Typhoon Nona hits southern Luzon and the Visayas.
According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), power supply in several towns in Sorsogon, Albay, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar were cut off on Monday.
29 AREAS IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL RISKS
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has identified 29 areas that are vulnerable to potential risks.
These areas fall within the 400-km diameter of the forecast track of Typhoon Nona.
In its 11 p.m. advisory on Monday, the DILG has identified the following areas:
Aklan
Albay
Antique
Bataan
Batangas
Biliran
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Capiz
Catanduanes
Cavite
Cebu
Eastern Samar
Iloilo
Laguna
Leyte
Marinduque
Masbate
Metro Manila
Negros Occidental
Northern Samar
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Palawan
Quezon
Rizal
Romblon
Samar
Sorsogon

Monday, April 6, 2015

Disaster Early Warning Device in Comval Province


Comval Gov. Arturo, assisted by the teachers, harvests Broccoli, considered to be one of the world’s healthiest foods and is expensive in the market.  Other vegetables are also planted in Manat Elementary School  in Nabunturan through its “Gulayan sa Paaralan” program, part of advocating for healthy and nutritious food. (a. dayao/ids comval)
ComVal bags Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award

For vigorously implementing agricultural interventions for the production of rice in the province, Compostela Valley has been recognized once again by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Rice-Producing Province in the country.

ComVal Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAGRO) Chief Dr. Rolando Simene received the plaque of recognition and cash prize amounting PhP4 million on March 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World, Pasay City during the 2014 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awarding Ceremony.

The Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award is DA’s program to recognize the provinces, municipalities, cities, and irrigators’ association, small water impounding associations, agriculture extension workers, and local farmer technicians who have done significant contributions for the expansion of rice production in the Philippines. Particularly, “it aims to encourage the participation of LGUs and other stakeholders in rice production and sustain their awareness, support, and commitment to attain rice self-sufficiency.

The Philippine rice industry data shows that in 2014, national production reaches to 18.97 million metric tons (MT) or 2.87% production growth which exceeds its 2013 record by 528,406 MT.

Meanwhile, Fishery Division Chief and PAGRO Planning Head Ronald Sibayan said ComVal has been recognized as one of the top leading rice producers in the country because of the province’s Rice Sufficiency Program and best practices in rice farming such as the Palay Check, Techno Demo, Farmer’s Field School, and the implementation of farm-to-market roads.

The plaque and check was turned over by Dr. Simene on March 30 to Executive Assistant Isabelo Melendres, SP Member Moran Takasan, and Provincial Treasurer Carmen Razul during the Regular Employees’ Convocation at the Capitol Lobby.

It can be recalled that ComVal was given the same award by DA last year. (James Labrigas, FeM / IDS ComVal)

Compostela Valley Province – Tungod sa ilang dakong tabang  sa Comval Province ug mga natampo sa padayong mga paningkamot sa liderato sa probinsiya nga mamahimong Disaster Resilient ang mga katawhang Comvaleño labi na sa mokabat 15 ka bag-o ug highly sophisticated nga mga Disaster Early Warning Device nga ilang gihatag, opisyal karon nga gipaabot sa probinsiya pinaagi ni Vice Gov. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora ang dakong pasalamat ngadto sa mga tagdumala ug sa mga dagkong opisyal sa Department of Science and Technology(DOST).

Ang maong mga kahimanan naglangkob sa Water Level Monitoring Sensors (WLMS) ug Automated Rain Guage (ARG) nga gibutang diha sa Montevista Bridge; sa Compostela Bridge; sa Monkayo Bridges 1,2, and 3; sa New   Bataan Bridges 1 and 2; sa Compostela-New Bataan Bridge; sa Maragusan-Coronobe; sa Monkayo Poblacion; Laak Poblacion; Mangayon NHS, Compostela;  Manat NHS, Nabunturan; ug Brgy. Mangayon, Compostela.

Si Vice Gov. Zamora maoy mihatag sa Welcome Message ni Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy sa diha nga gisugdan sa Comval Province ang “Comval i-Rice Advocacy Campaign” atol sa usa ka adlawng Launching diha sa kapitolyo niadtong Lunes (Marso 30,2015), panahon niini  iyang gisulti ang mga maayong butang nga nahatag sa DOST sa probinsiya pinaagi sa gipakusog nga Science and Technology Innovations  nga naglakip sa Technology Transfer nga nakatabang ug dako sa programa sa nutrition labi na sa Food Fortification Law nga giimplementar sa nasud ilalom sa R.A. 8976 ug sa Disaster Preparedness pinaagi sa mga Disaster Early Warning Device nga una na nilang gihatag sa probinsiya.

Matud pa sad niya nga ang Comval Province maoy unang probinsiya nga gipili sa DOST alang sa Better Mining Program niini nga pagahatagan sa pinakabag-o ug pinakamodernong kahimanan sa Ore Processing Equipment, nga gawas Enviroment Friendly makuha sad niini ang highest precision level sa recovery sa Gold and Silver Extraction nga moabot gikan 95% hangtud sa 96%.

Human naaprobahan sa Comval SP pinaagi sa Unanimous Votes ang “Comval i-Rice Ordinance of 2015” nga giduso sa Author niini nga si Health and Social Services Committee Chair Senior Board Member Tyron Uy, gisugdan dayon ang Advocacy Campaign aron awhagon ang mga katawhang Comvaleño pagkunsumo sa Iron Fortified Rice alang sa kaayohan sa ilang panglawas. ( Gibert Cabahug/ids comval)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Disaster-Proofing Davao Oriental


TO DISASTER-PROOF an entire province, the local government must take the lead in ensuring mitigation and adaptation measures are in place.

Since Davao Oriental can no longer claim to be typhoon-free, the province has revisited its Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan to better equip its municipalities when worse comes to worst.
 United Nations Development Program (UNDP) where both have found a common ground that Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DRRCCA) should be integrated in the local development planning.
modification and rezonification so that the areas determined as not so sound for habitation will be off limits to people.


"And as our firm commitment, the province is helping LGUs (local government units) to chart out their respective Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan while mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation measures in their respective development plans," said Governor Corazon Malanyaon, in her speech during a recent forum.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 11 has helped the province along with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 11 and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to map out the geo-hazard areas, which is now followed in the establishment of resettlements.

The government is also working on restoring the province's environmental resources, particularly the programs on mangrove rehabilitation, coastal cleanup, dumpsite development and watershed rehabilitation.

When Pablo made landfall, it flattened most of Baganga, Cateel and Boston municipalities, leaving 457 deaths, 3,020 injured, 64,032 families affected, and P5.846 billion in government infrastructures, private structures and properties lost on its wake.

Also, the rich agriculture, tourism, trade, and service sectors incurred P8.5 billion damages while 30 percent of its coral resources were lost and 132,105 hectares of forest lands were destroyed.

With the plan now in place, at least the province can cushion the impact of typhoons, the same intensity or even stronger than Typhoon Pablo that wreaked havoc the province on December 4, 2012.

Rehab on track

With the means of livelihood destroyed, the province sought out the intervention of Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao to help affected families get back on their feet.
The programs that were implemented include extension of 100 percent rice seed subsidy to more than 8,000 farmers in Baganga, Cateel, and Boston for a total area of 9,876 hectares, provision of seeds for corn production benefitting more than 7,000 farmers, and provision of seeds for vegetable production.

Also, part of the intervention was the distribution of cacao seedlings in the towns of Boston and Cateel benefiting almost 2,000 farmers, and seedlings for cassava production in affected towns to 5,742 farmers covering a total of 430 hectares.

On the housing, a total of 6,729 families received temporary shelters and emergency shelter kits containing basic construction tools and materials.

"These were provided by convergence of various local and international agencies under the Shelter Cluster. Meanwhile, the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), who aside from constructing bunk houses as temporary shelters also helped bring aid to families whose houses were partially damaged through the distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) in the form of cash," she reported.

The first and second releases amounted to P158.7 million, which benefited around 15,881 households.

Transition shelters were also put in place for a total of 5,359 families. 

"These shelters not only provided our people with the most basic comforts of a home, but mainly protected them especially from health risks due to poor hygienic conditions in congested emergency shelters," she said.

The governor added that there were close to 10,000 permanent homes completed and undergoing construction under the Modified Shelter Assistance Program of the provincial government and DSWD.

"No less than 5,000 construction workers, that include masons, carpenters, painters, plumbers, have been employed in the implementation of this massive housing project," she said.

Rise of hot chili

Jose P. Calub, officer-in-charge of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao Oriental, during the DTI-Davao Media Interface at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao on Friday, said they are supporting eight major chili producers in Davao Oriental.

"Nakita namo na resilient ang (We saw that chili is more resilient) compared to other crops during typhoon," he said.

Right now, they are in the thick of things in helping these producers comply with the requirements to secure a certification from Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
"So that when the Asean Community takes effect, our chili producers are ready," he said.

In Davao Oriental, most of the focus is centered on the three towns hit by Pablo -- Cateel, Baganga, and Boston.

The agency is also set to construct three facilities through the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) that are compliant with the regulations of the FDA.

With this initiative, a total of 1,000 families have benefited from the "Hot Pablo' Livelihood Project covering 100 hectares.

The beneficiaries, comprised of farmers and processors, were assisted in terms of production, skills development, product development marketing and branding.
The trade office has also observed a high local demand for chili, as evident on the sales generated from the trade fairs where processors have actively been participating in.

Last year, chili processors generated P6 million from joining trade fairs.
To address the immediate need of farmers to earn a living, Malanyaon added that livestock and draft animals such as carabao, cattle, goat and chicken were distributed to families.

There were also a series of skills, productivity and entrepreneurial trainings to strengthen livelihood projects such as bamboo (furniture, construction materials and baskets) processing, coco-bead and coco-furniture processing, driftwood furniture and novelties processing, bead making, rubber nursery and hot chili production and processing. 

These initiatives were facilitated through the support of some government agencies and Rural Entrepreneurship Advocacy for Change (Reach) program of the Provincial Government.

Other livelihood programs that are currently being pushed are; Driftwood Processing (Boston, Baganga, Cateel); Rosary-making out of coco-beads (Cateel); Carpentry Workshop and Material Recovery Facility (Cateel and Baganga); and Fiber-board Processing Facility (Baganga).

"These livelihood projects under the Debris Management supported more than 11,000 beneficiaries," Malanyaon added.

Given the intensity of damages caused by Pablo in the province, it will take a while before it can get back on its feet.

"Our 'Building-Back-Better' agenda is still a long way to go. But having a solid support from the national government and other development collaborators, and having put in place operational mechanisms, we are positive that we can harness more resources and partners... we can do more... and we can do better in the coming years... Always with that undaunted spirit 'to Move on and to Move up' as our mantra goes," she added.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Typhoon Neoguri Seen to Enter The Philippines

Expected to move toward the Ryukyu Islands, typhoon Neoguri will be given the name Florita once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The skies will be cloudy in Visayas and parts of Luzon on Sunday, July 6, as a strong typhoon is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), said the state weather bureau PAGASA in its 24-hour weather bulletin on Saturday, July 5.
Typhoon Neoguri was spotted 1,360 kms east of Casiguran, Aurora, at 4 pm Saturday. It is moving northwest at 25 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gustiness of up to 185 km/h.

The typhoon is headed toward the Ryukyu Islands between Taiwan and southern Japan, and would not be a threat to the Philippines. (Data from Weather Philippines is not official data. Official weather information is issued by state weather bureau PAGASA.)

PAGASA advised the public and local disaster risk reduction and management councils to be on alert. Updates about typhoon Neoguri will be posted on PAGASA's next weather bulletin on Sunday morning.

The Bicol and Mimaropa regions, as well as the Visayas, will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Coastal waters will be moderate to rough, as moderate to strong winds blow from the southwest to west over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Over the rest of the country, light to moderate winds coming from the southwest will prevail.

City Forecast Temperature
Range
Metro Manila Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-32°C
Tuguegarao Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-34°C
Laoag Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-32°C
Baguio Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
16°C-23°C
Subic/Olongapo; Clark/Angeles Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-31°C
Tagaytay Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
22°C-31°C
Lipa Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
24°C-32°C
Legazpi Cloudy skies with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-32°C
Puerto Princesa Cloudy skies with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-30°C
Iloilo/Bacolod Cloudy skies with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
23°C-30°C
Metro Cebu Cloudy skies with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-30°C
Tacloban Cloudy skies with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
24°C-31°C
Cagayan de Oro Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
24°C-31°C
Metro Davao Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-33°C
Zamboanga Partly cloudy to at times cloudy
with rainshowers
and/or thunderstorms
25°C-33°C

Monday, April 14, 2014

Good Bye World? Good Bye Philippines?

A UN panel believes the world could meet a maximum target for global warming if it significantly cuts annual emissions by 2050. According to a report, however, few nations are doing enough to meet the stated goal. 


Annual emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases must drop 40-70 percent by 2050 to keep the global temperature rise below the 2-degree Celsius (3.6-degree F), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced in a report released last Sunday. So far, the opposite has happened: On average global emissions rose by 1 billion tons a year between 2000 and 2010, outpacing growth in previous decades to reach "unprecedented levels" despite some efforts to contain them, the IPCC announced.

"There is a clear message from science," IPCC co-chair Ottmar Edenhofer said. "To avoid dangerous interference with the climate system, we need to move away from business as usual."

According to scientists, failure to meet the 2-degree target could lead to further droughts, rising seas and heat waves. The IPCC adopted its 33-page summary at a weeklong session in Berlin to help guide the nearly 200 governments negotiating a new climate agreement for next year.


Top three emitters

Counting all emissions since the 18th century, the United States remains the top carbon polluter. However, China's current emissions run much greater than those of the US.

Along with China and the US, the EU as a bloc is in the world's top-three emitters. About half of the world's combined emissions since 1750 have come in the past 40 years.

The IPCC will release a larger scientific report this week. A report last month warned that flooding, droughts and other climate impacts could have devastating effects on economies, agriculture and human health, particularly in developing countries.

Global temperatures have risen about 0.8 Celsius since record-keeping started in 1850. The IPCC found that keeping warming below 2 C by the year 2100 will require a shift from oil and coal. That would mean a near-quadrupling of energy from zero- or low-carbon sources such as solar and wind power.

Current pledges by governments to reduce emissions by 2020 have set the world on a path between 3 and 5 degrees C of warming by 2100, according to the IPCC - a potentially catastrophic level. UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, in charge of the talks, has urged countries to raise their collective ambition.

"The only safe path forward is to arrive at a carbon neutral world in the second half of this century," Figueres said.