Global warming is happening. Temperatures have already risen by 0.76 degrees since the industrial revolution and are expected to rise further by 1.8 - 4 degrees by the end of the 21st century. The last time climate change happened at this pace was 125,000 years ago, which led to a 4-6 metre rise in sea levels. Global warming at the upper end of the scale as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would have catastrophic consequences for Europe. Up to 30% of plant, animal and bird species would be wiped out, and the threat of natural disasters such as landslides, floods and mudslides would increase significantly.