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Session 4: Future of the planet

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Figure 2(a) is a graph displaying four lines plotting carbon dioxide emissions/GtC for the four RCPs. The y or vertical axis plots emissions (in GtC) against year from 2000 to 2100. RCP2.6 shows a short increase in emissions until about 2020 then a steady decrease to zero. RCP 4.5 shows an increase until about 2045, a decrease until about 2080 then a steady value of about 5 GtC. RCP6 shows an increase until about 2060 then a decrease to about 13 GtC. RCP8.5 shows an increase to almost 30 GtC by 2100. Figure 2(b) is a graph displaying four lines plotting primary energy consumption (EJ) for the four RCPs. RCP2.6 starts at 370 EJ and shows a sharp increase to about 920 EJ by 2100. RCP 4.5 starts at 370 EJ and shows a much more gradual increase to 650 EJ by 2100. RCP6 starts at 370 EJ and shows an increase to about 520 EJ at 2062 and then more or less stays at a similar level until 2100. RCP8.5 starts at 370 EJ and shows an increase until 2025 and then plateus gradually decreasing until 2100, ending on 440 EJ.