What the latest IPCC science says about climate change

At COP 27 in Egypt, delegates will draw on decades of scientific research published by the United Nations Climate Science Agency to inform their decisions on future energy plans and pathways to global warming.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publishes reports approximately every five years that represent a global scientific consensus on climate change, its causes and impact.

Last year’s report examined the main drivers of global warming and the basic elements of climate science.

This was followed by two major reports this year: one in February addressing how the world will need to adapt to climate impacts, from rising sea levels to declining wildlife, and more in April on ways to “mitigate” or control global warming emissions.

Key points from these reports:

Scientific report

Last year’s report on the physical basis of climate change did not hit, unequivocally suggesting that humans are to blame for rising temperatures.

He also warned that climate change is already dangerously close to spiraling out of control.

Extreme weather events that were once rare are becoming more common and some regions are becoming more vulnerable than others.

For the first time, the report’s authors called for urgent action to reduce methane. Until now, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change focused solely on carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas.

With time running out to prevent runaway climate change, the authors said it’s worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of geoengineering or large-scale climate change interventions, such as injecting particles into the atmosphere to block solar radiation.

The report warned countries around the world, including wealthy nations, that everyone must start preparing for the effects of climate and adapt to a warmer world.

Adaptation Report

News of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine overshadowed the release of a major report in February on how the world should prepare for a warmer world.

With climate change already fueling extreme weather around the world, the report urged rich and poor nations alike to adapt now to the effects, which include more frequent heat waves, powerful storms and rising sea levels.

The report explained that different regions face different risks and impacts, and provided local forecasts of what to expect.

Millions of people will face poverty and food insecurity in the coming years, as climate change affects crops and water supplies and threatens to disrupt trade and labor markets.

The terrifying prospects of the world’s poor have reignited calls for a “loss and damage” fund through which rich countries will offset the costs already incurred by poor countries in climate-induced disasters, a key demand of vulnerable nations participating in COP27 talks in Egypt.

Mitigation Report

“Now or never,” said one of the report’s co-chairs in publishing findings showing that only drastic cuts in emissions in the coming decades will prevent warming from being brought under control.

The report reviewed how different emissions scenarios are likely to translate into higher temperatures in the future.

Cities are a big part of the emissions problem, he said, but they are also an important source of hope and positive solutions.

The transition from energy to renewables and clean fuels is progressing very slowly.

The report went beyond focusing on fossil fuels and industrialization to urge strong climate action in agriculture, where better farming methods and forest protection could help reduce emissions.

He warned that climate change threatens economic growth and, for the first time, highlighted the need for action at the individual level, and called on governments to pass policies to change consumption and transport habits to encourage less waste and greater efficiency.

Source: Eseracingoe