This is lower than the global emissions of greenhouse gases today, which is about 50 billion tonnes of CO₂e per year (Rogner et al, 2007). However, global emissions are still increasing, which is the opposite of what is required to reach the climate change targets; we must start lowering the global emissions soon (Naturvårdsverket, 2008).

It is hard to predict precisely what the ecological and economic effects of global warming could be. They depend on the magnitude of the change and the sensitivity of the ecosystems and of society, according to Vetenskapliga rådet för klimatfrågor (2007). Some of the expected effects are:

• Problems concerning the global supply of fresh water, especially in areas that are already affected by such problems.
• Sudden changes in the conditions for ecosystems, which could lead to an increased risk of extinction of a range of animal and plant species.
• A higher sea level, causing problems primarily in river deltas and for small island states.

But who bears the responsibility for reducing the possibility of negative effects? Some changes are already inherited from emissions that have already occurred (Vetenskapliga rådet för klimatfrågor, 2007). Nonetheless, we all have the possibility of affecting what happens in the future by the emissions caused by our consumption today!