TEST TIDBITS: 2021 SUMMARY REPORT FROM THE IPCC
A few days ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations entity that has been working over the last seven years in gathering, reviewing and synthesizing information from member nations scientists, has delivered its report on the state of the world relating to climate change (over 4000 pages). This is just the first in a series of reports and is focused on the science of climate change. UN Secretary, Guterres, called the IPCC Report a “code red for humanity”. US special climate envoy, John Kerry, said, “the world must come together before the ability to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is out of reach.” The warning words are STARK and BLUNT—the planet is warming at a faster rate than the previous report, our overall climate systems are in “flux” and it is UNEQUIVOCAL that human emissions are the major cause. It is Still possible to avoid going beyond the 1.5 degree C increase in global warming, if we reach net zero emissions by 2059. The big question is—do we have the political will and the cooperative spirit to make the necessary changes?
The report is huge, and one little article can’t cover the scope of even the summary—but here are a few things that stood out:
This report states that the predictions form the last IPCC Report are occurring a decade earlier and the “feedback loops” are adding to the rate of change.
The amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased 47% since 1970 and methane has increased 156%
Even if net zero emissions were achieved today, the earth would continue to be impacted by climate change for at least a century. Present day conditions of increased flooding, storms, droughts, wildfires and other conditions will double if we reach 2 degrees C and quadruple if we increase by 3 degrees C.
Because of improved prediction models, more regional impacts are being noted. These impacts show growing season changes, ocean acidification, sea level rise (bad news for coastal cities), glacier melts (flooding-then lack of water supply), soil erosion and health, permafrost melt—adding tons of methane to the atmosphere, forest collapse and changes to weather caused by slowing of the earth circulation of air. (More report will cover human and other species impacts from climate change).
There is still time to slow the impacts of global warming which result in climate change by our own actions—internationally, nationally, regionally, locally and individually. Every fraction of a percent of decrease will make a difference. Inaction is not an option if we wish to have a healthy planet and a healthy future for our kids and grandkids.
EARTH STEWARD ACTION: Read the summary listed or others and spread the word.
SOURCES: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/09/ipcc-report-takeaway
https://www.qz.com/2043894/what-does-the-ipcc-say-about-climate-change.