The 58th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded on March 19 in Interlagen, Switzerland. The fourth and final part of the International Panel’s Sixth Climate Report (Sixth Assessment Report) has been published.
782 scientists jointly prepared previous reports on three topics: ‘Science of Climate Change’, ‘Impacts of Climate Change and Measures to Cope with it’, and ‘Methods to Control Climate Change’. The final report is prepared based on the combined views and conclusion of these three reports.
Its specialty is that it has been jointly prepared by multidisciplinary scientists and experts from different countries. Although a consolidated form of the earlier reports, it includes some additional predictions and clear instructions. As data from this report will form the basis for the upcoming Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai in November 2023, it is important to understand its key features.
Increase in heat: cIf emissions continue at current levels, scientists have reported a 50% chance of global average temperatures reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040. The report also suggests that this could happen even sooner – by 2037. This shows that many global agreements and negotiations, including the Paris Agreement, have not been implemented as expected.
The report acknowledges that awareness of climate change has increased somewhat. In their documents on climate change, the countries of the world have also started mentioning the methods of how to deal with it.
While scientists welcome this, they are also concerned that the mechanisms are not systematic. They also suggest that these mechanisms should be developed interdisciplinary and spread across a continuum of activities.
The report notes that there have been many advances in renewable energy generation methods such as solar power and wind power. In particular, climate scientists report that their cost has decreased and their use rate has increased.
But they also recommend that more be done to bring renewable energy to everyone. The report says countries around the world should focus on urban green infrastructure, energy efficiency, reducing food waste and crop management.
Scientists warn: The report also suggests that the long-term impact of climate change may be many times worse than previously estimated. We can interpret this to mean that as the temperature increases, the rate of damage increases like a geometric progression. A one-degree increase means a 10-fold increase, and a two-degree increase means a 20-fold increase, scientists say.
Financial problem: The report lists finance, technology and international cooperation as the three key requirements for accelerating climate action. Finance determines whether, and even if, there will be international cooperation.
At most climate conferences, discussions on finance are where the most conflict and controversy occurs. In terms of technology, technology for non-emergent operations, organic absorption technology can be mentioned. Finance plays an important role in these too. Therefore, more than anything else, finance remains a primary stumbling block to climate action.
A long-standing allegation is that developed countries do not take responsibility for financing; Still no answer. Arguments over who should fund whom undermine the agreement of most climate conferences.
Preparedness required: The report recommends Ecosystem based adaptation to deal with climate change disasters. Examples include preventing deforestation to reduce landslides, controlling floods by restoring mangroves, restoring riparian forests to prevent seawater intrusion, and hurricane damage to coastal areas.
Apart from these, the report clearly declares that no adaptation will help in some disasters. It is also necessary for the respective countries to be ready for these.
The report urges countries to be proactive in actually implementing some of the promises made in climate agreements. It is worth noting that there is much talk about organic technologies.
It is true that organic technology is the only way to deal with the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, no matter how much we reduce emissions. But due to the continued ‘lobby’ of oil companies, the question arises whether this technology is being proposed to avoid exposure to fossil fuels.
‘Graph of Intervals’: The impact of climate change in different parts of the world and the destruction that different generations will face due to climate emergency are included in this report.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who describes these as a ‘map of human suffering’, said, “People everywhere must take all kinds of climate action together. This is the call to action of this report,” he said.
The severity of climate change is greater than ever. The world is affected by a series of disasters. This statement clearly emphasizes that the nations of the world must come together to protect the future of humanity, not divided by petty differences. It is up to the countries of the world to listen to it or not.
– Narayani Subramanian | Environment Writer Contact: [email protected]