Release of the 6th IPCC Synthesis Report:
What should we remember?
The IPCC report is the result of several years of collaboration between hundreds of scientists from around the world, and represents the most comprehensive synthesis of scientific evidence on climate change to date. In recent months, each group has released a sub-report, and it is the synthesis of these 3 reports that has just been released this Monday, March 20, 2023.
Reading time : 4 minutes
Summary
The 5 main results of the IPCC report
Solutions to face the climate emergency
« Human activities, mainly through greenhouse gas emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming. »
This latest report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) shows that the impacts of climate change are real, rapid and caused by human activity. They are already being felt in many parts of the world and are likely to worsen in the coming decades, with significant consequences for health, food security, biodiversity and the economy.
The 5 main results of the IPCC report
👉 Climate change is real and it is caused by human activity
The report confirms that global average temperatures have increased by more than 1°C since the pre-industrial era, mainly due to greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity, such as fossil fuel burning.
👉 Climate change is fast and it is already here
The report shows that the impacts of climate change are already visible around the world, including heat waves, droughts, floods, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. On current trajectories, global warming is expected to reach a temperature increase of 1.5°C around 2030/2035.
💡Good to know: limiting global warming to 1.5°C in 2100 is the main goal set by the countries of the world during the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.
👉 The worst effects of climate change can still be avoided
The report states that if immediate and drastic measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is still possible to avoid the worst effects of climate change, such as the loss of certain species and ecosystems, rising sea levels, melting ice and extreme weather events (floods, heat waves, fires …).
👉 Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced quickly and drastically
The report points out that in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, it is necessary to reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels and to bring them to net zero by 2050.
We would need to halve our CO2 emissions by 2030 to have a chance of preventing a warming of 1.5°C.
Il faudrait diviser par 2 nos émissions de CO2 d’ici 2030 pour avoir une chance d’empêcher un réchauffement d’1,5°C.
👉 Governments, businesses and individuals all have a role to play
The report stresses that tackling climate change requires concerted action at all levels, from governments setting ambitious climate policies to businesses reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and individuals reducing their carbon footprint.
Solutions exist to face the climate emergency
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
The IPCC stresses the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its report, particularly carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of global warming. This can be achieved by reducing fossil energy consumption, increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
• Carbon sequestration
Carbon sequestration is a solution that involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it in carbon sinks, such as forests, soils and oceans. This solution can help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and thus limit global warming.
• Adaptation to climate change
It is essential to deploy measures to adapt to changes already underway and anticipate those to come. This can be achieved by developing resilient infrastructure, diversifying agricultural crops or greening cities to cope with heat waves.
• Promotion of renewable energies
Renewable energies, such as solar, wind and hydro power, are considered effective solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming.
• Reduction of energy consumption
Another solution is to reduce energy consumption, especially in the industry, transport and building sectors. This can be achieved by using more efficient technologies and promoting energy-saving behaviors.
It is important to stress that these solutions are not exhaustive and that additional efforts are needed to combat climate change.
The IPCC report is an urgent call to action to fight global warming. The results are alarming, but there is still time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in temperature.
The climate is changing. So is air pollution. These two issues are linked. The time to act is now. It is important that all actors in society, from governments to citizens, work together to achieve this crucial goal: to make this world, a healthier and more sustainable place.🌍
0 Comments