Status: 02/28/2022 10:47 a.m
Fires, floods and other extreme weather events: the consequences of global warming are clearly visible. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the time available to turn things around is limited. Today he presents a new report.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is today presenting the second part of its sixth assessment report on the consequences of climate change for people and nature.
According to marine biologist and IPCC member Hans-Otto Pörtner, the world is in the crucial decade for dealing with climate change. “There is only a limited period of time in which successful action can be initiated,” said the co-chair of the responsible working group. This would require a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but also adjustments to avert danger to life and limb as far as possible.
Adaptation and mitigation of climate change
The report is likely to argue that climate change adaptation and mitigation will cost the world far more cheaply than the consequences of a significant rise in temperature. The report may also recommend restoring and protecting natural spaces.
According to science, changes in lifestyle are also necessary: less meat consumption, for example, because huge agricultural areas are needed for grazing. Forests that could absorb climate-damaging CO2 are often cleared for this purpose, or areas on which food could be grown are taken away.
More bikes than cars
Meteorologist and co-author Daniela Jacob spoke of a necessary heating transition in the building sector and a mobility transition: more climate-neutral cycling instead of driving or taking the train instead of flying. The advantage must be made clear, she said: “What is good for me and my health today is also good for the climate.”
The report wants to make it clear how important it is to dovetail climate protection and nature conservation. Careless climate protection measures could accelerate the loss of biodiversity. Monocultures such as huge rapeseed or corn fields for the production of biofuel are an example.
Temperature has already risen by 1.1 degrees
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was founded in 1988 as a UN body. He is currently presenting the 6th status report on climate research. This includes three parts. The first on the scientific foundations was published in August 2021. Today, the second part is about the consequences and necessary adjustments. The third part deals with the technical and economic possibilities to reduce climate change. He is expected in April.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature from 2010 to 2019 was around 1.1 degrees higher than from 1850 to 1900 due to man-made greenhouse gases. It has risen by 0.2 degrees since the 5th assessment report in 2014 alone.
According to the climate agreement, the countries of the world are striving to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, this level is likely to be reached or exceeded in the next 20 years. According to studies, significantly higher warming would have catastrophic consequences.