The International Panel on Climate Change issued a statement describing global warming as the consequence of inaction.
The IPCC reports state that humans and nature are being pushed beyond their abilities to adapt, with over 40% of the world’s population being highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
This report looks at the cause, impacts, and solutions to climate change giving the clearest indication to date of how a warmer world is affecting humanity. The report highlights the fierce consequences that the world is experiencing such as the growing number of people dying from the heat. It is suggested by the IPCC that there is still a brief window of time to act before we see the worst effects of climate change and global warming. It is evident that the global population is being affected however some more than others, with floods and heatwaves hitting countries across the globe.
Debra Roberts, co-chair of the IPCC says “Our report clearly indicates that places, where people live and work, may cease to exist, that ecosystems and species that we’ve all grown up with and that are central to our cultures and inform our languages may disappear”
Between 2010 and 2020, approximately 15 times more people have died from floods and natural disasters occurring in vulnerable regions such as South Africa and Asia. The extreme weather conditions are due to the drastic impacts of the current level of warming which are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
The IPCC says that if mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure are to be avoided, then ambitious accelerated action to adapt to climate change is required immediately whilst also making a conscious effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
IPCC reports call for degraded ecosystems to be restored and for 30-50 % of the earth’s land, freshwater, and oceans habitats to be effectively conserved. It also calls for governments, the private sectors, and civil society to work together and make climate risk reduction a priority.
If you would like to read more information from the latest IPCC report, please click here
