The IPCC report: ‘Code red for humanity’
Sustainability
The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is a UN scientific body established to evaluate the human impact of climate change. Their recent report post 8 years of careful observation is, according to UN chief Guitteres, a ‘Code red for humanity’.
“The role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed and unequivocal.” – Co-Chair Valérie Masson-Delmotte
Key points in the report
Global surface temperature increased by 1.09 degree Celsius in the last 10 years, higher than any decade from 1850-1900
The past 5 years have been the hottest on record since 1850
Recent sea-level rise nearly tripled compared to 1901-1971
Human influence is "very likely" the main driver of the global retreat of glaciers and decrease of ice in the Arctic region
It is "virtually certain" that heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense since the 1950s, while cold events have become less frequent and less severe
Human factors versus natural temperature rise
What are the short-term implications?
Paris Agreement in 2015 aimed at keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degree Celsius. According to the report, 1.5 degree Celsius will be reached by 2040 in all scenarios, even earlier if emissions are not slashed immediately.
Recent large-scale wildfires raged in Greece causing mass evacuations. Droughts occurred due to a drop in water level in California. For context, every 0.4 degree Celsius rise in temperature will lead to 14% of the world’s population facing extreme heatwaves every 5 years.
Heavy floods were encountered in Germany, Bolivia, India. Trends signal these ‘once in a century’ phenomenon likely to occur every 2-3 years due to rising sea levels.
What are the long-term implications?
Large scale greenhouse effect to cause the Arctic to be most likely ‘ice-free’ in summer before 2050.
Projections indicate a sea-level rise of at least 2m by 2100 and 5m by 2150. As a result, massive flooding in parts of Africa and other coastal areas is expected.
While a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise by 2040 remains projected, with rising emissions, a further rise of more than 4 degree Celsius before the end of the 21st century could make the entirety of Earth practically ‘unliveable’.
Is it too late?
While some projections of rising temperatures and sea levels have been projected ‘irreversible’, the timeline could be further delayed. Countries need to cut down emissions massively and need to cut down now!
Scientists remain hopeful - If we could cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach a net-zero by 2050, we could possibly halt and reverse the rise in global temperatures.
What can government bodies do?
Taxing on greenhouse emissions and carbon content, making large corporations decide whether they’re willing to pay for the carbon they emit
Heavy investments in public transports, electric mobility, clean energy sources at the cost of economic profitability
25% of emissions can be accounted for by methane. Slashing methane pollution, particularly in oil and gas, is a faster and cheaper first stage process
What can we do on an individual level?
Awareness, awareness, awareness! - Understand the report and its implications. Talk about it in your social circles with the grim undertone that it deserves.
Reduce individual carbon footprint - More public transportation, possibly car-free solutions, utilising energy-efficient equipment, and carrying out wide-scale plantation drives.
Elect local body leadership serious about climate change - Create public pressure on policymakers to account for climate change in their policies. Understand that it’s a reality, one far too close than we would’ve imagined.
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