Time to Act is ‘Now Or Never,’ Appeal Scientists In A New Report To Combat Global Warming

A report by the IPCC, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change has warned the world that we have reached dangerous levels of CO2 emissions.

In the global assessment of the state of the planet, scientists have warned that there is a need to act immediately on working on cutting emissions by 2025.

And even if that is achieved, the world will need technology that can absorb the CO2 from the atmosphere.

“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.  “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective.  If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IS NARROWING

The IPCC has been issuing multiple warnings in its earlier reports on the climate crisis. The current Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change spans over 3500 pages.

Scientists have concluded that it is absolutely necessary to limit the warming of the planet to not more than 1.5°C.

This mammoth task requires that the global emissions have to peak in the next three years and halve by 2030. This statement in the report has been contended by climate warriors who argue that we do not have the luxury to allow emissions to continue to rise for three more years.

The report advises that to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, more trees need to be planted and there have to be changes made in agricultural practises.

The report also states that the emission of methane needs to be reduced by a third.

“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Jim Skea. “Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.”

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

“Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviour can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This offers significant untapped potential,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Priyadarshi Shukla. “The evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and wellbeing.”

There have been significant drops in the price of using renewable energy as the main source of consumption. The last decade has shown that using these resources and energy efficiently is possible.

There is also significant potential shown by urban cities in the past where it has been demonstrated that it is possible to achieve 'zero-carbon' buildings. Further action is needed in this direction by encouraging the growth of zero-emission vehicles and making compact and more walkable cities.

On the industry side, the report advises more focus on using materials more efficiently, recycling and reusing products and reducing the amount of waste that is generated. Large scale industries like steel or those that make building materials must work towards low-to-zero greenhouse gas emission processes and facilities.

UNPRECEDENTED WEATHER CATASTROPHES ARE IN THE CARDS

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that “some government and business leaders are saying one thing - but doing another. Simply put, they are lying. And the results will be catastrophic."

The rise of the temperature by 3.2°C will result in "unprecedented heatwaves, terrifying storms, and widespread water shortages,” added Guterres.

“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.  “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective.  If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”

“Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production,” said Skea. “This report shows how taking action now can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.”

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