Effects of 2 degree temperature rise on human rights

On May 1, John Knox joined with other UN special rapporteurs to publish a report on the effects of a two degree increase in average global temperature on the enjoyment of human rights.  The report explains how even a two degree rise in temperature will have grave effects on a wide array of human rights, including rights to life, health, food, water, and housing.

The report was prepared at the request of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of twenty countries that are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  On behalf of the Forum, the Philippines, the current chair, submitted the report to the Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change.  The Forum urged the COP to adopt a more ambitious target in the climate agreement currently under negotiation, in order to avoid the devastating effects of a rapidly warming planet on the basic rights of all of us who inhabit it.