Five keys to understanding a report calling for more climate action

This is the second installment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report and makes it clear that the window of action to secure a livable future is closing. For the first time, the report talks about the effects on mental health.

“The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human well-being and to the health of the planet,” said Hans-Otto Pörtner, co-chair of Working Group II (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at the launch of the new report on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change.

The document encapsulates 5 years of work by scientists and researchers from 67 countries and urges world leaders to take urgent and ambitious action to curb the climate crisis. What does the IPCC say and what are the keys to understanding scientists’ warnings?

Five keys to understanding the report

1. The impacts of climate change are greater than expected and are damaging human systems and ecosystems

Climate change is real and according to UN figures endangers between 3.3 and 3.6 billion people worldwide. “Almost half of humanity is living in a risk zone and many ecosystems have reached the point of no return,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, describing the report as an “atlas of human suffering”. The estimates are crude and project an increase in the periodicity and intensity of extreme events such as droughts, floods and heat waves. And not only that: these are expected to occur at the same time.

How does all this translate? In water scarcity, prolonged forest fires, food insecurity, loss of biodiversity, extinction of species, increase in migrations due to climatic reasons and a greater spread of diseases.

The IPCC also stresses that climate change is not an isolated phenomenon and accentuates the effects of other human crises. The vulnerability of each country will vary depending on the characteristics of each region, its level of socio-economic development and historical patterns linked to inequalities, colonialism and governance.

2. Even keeping the temperature below the 1.5ª established in the Paris Agreement cannot avoid all the impacts of climate change.

The data is not encouraging and shows that every small increase in temperature counts. While it seeks to meet the 1.5º target, this might not be enough. Above 1.5º you could begin to see permanent impacts on polar areas, mountains and coastal ecosystems. A 2.0º scenario, for example, would put 18 percent of terrestrial species and corals, reefs and marine fauna at risk of extinction.

What can be done? Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an excellent starting point. “Science says it will be necessary to cut emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and reach the goal of zero emissions by 2050. But according to current commitments, global emissions are going to increase by 14 percent during the current decade,” Guterres says, adding: “Fossil fuels are a dead end for the planet, for humanity and for economies.”

To reduce emissions, it is essential to establish plans for the decarbonization of the economy, for the energy transition towards renewable sources and, fundamentally, political will to comply with the climate commitments assumed in the global negotiations.

3. Adaptation policies are key to reducing risks and vulnerabilities, but beware of “maladaptation”

One of the main axes of the report is adaptation, that is, how we respond to the effects of climate change efficiently to reduce its impacts. The IPCC indicates that although we are moving in that direction and today 170 nations have adaptation plans in their climate policies, there is a substantial gap between what was promised and what was implemented in reality, especially among lower-income populations.

How do we adapt to climate change? With proper water management, strengthening our health systems; protecting, conserving and restoring ecosystems; improving food security and transforming the cities where two-thirds of the world’s population is estimated to live by 2050.

“There is evidence of maladaptation; adaptation that results in unintended consequences that increase climate risks and increase emissions. Indigenous peoples, minorities and disadvantaged groups are the most affected by maladaptation and this deepens existing inequalities,” explains Debra Roberts, co-chair of Working Group II and emphasizes the importance of implementing policies that benefit people and ecosystems.

In Latin America, one barrier to consider is financing. Edward Castellanos, scientist and author of the report indicates that in the region the costs of adaptation are approximately 127 billion dollars per year. Is it possible to allocate these funds? Are adaptation plans included in climate change budgets?

Beyond the efforts, if the temperature continues to increase the adaptation might not prevent all damage and loss. “Our individual and collective adaptation can be an effective strategy, but there are limits to the ability of humanity and species to adapt,” says IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.

4. Latin America is highly exposed and vulnerable to the effects of climate change

The Latin American region not only faces climate challenges but also economically, politically and socially. In principle, the report foresees a worsening of living conditions in rural areas, especially for small and medium-sized producers and indigenous populations.

In turn, glacier loss (between 30 and 50 percent since 1980), rising sea levels, droughts and increased fire intensity are wreaking havoc in terms of biodiversity. By 2050, it is estimated that 85 percent of natural systems will be affected by climate change.

At the regional level, the Amazon is one of the main ones affected by drought and deforestation. In turn, food production is jeopardized by soil degradation and the risk of contracting vector-borne diseases (such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika) increases by 17 percent.

5. Climate change impacts physical, but also mental health

We know that climate change has effects on people’s physical health, but for the first time an IPCC report speaks openly about the consequences of the climate crisis on mental health, especially in children and young people. This mention matters and is part of an incipient debate that makes visible and seeks to destigmatize taboos around these topics.

What is it about? Essentially of what is known as eco-anxiety or great concern for the current situation of the planet. While it is not listed as a mental health disorder per se, it is treated by health professionals.
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