Erick Burgueño Salas
Research expert covering climate change and the water industry
Global climate crisis and the IPCC's sixth assessment report- statistics & facts
Based on the findings of the latest edition of the IPCC's assessment report, the key indicators for climate change are worsening on a wide geographic scale and at a faster pace than previously expected. In recent years, the world has endured record-breaking temperatures, raging wildfires, torrential rains, and flooding with devastating consequences in many inhabited regions across the globe. The adverse effects of climate change are increasingly apparent with each passing year. Despite the scientific evidence of global warming becoming ever more irrefutable with improved climate models and predictions, it remains to this day that effective action against climate change on a global scale has not occurred to any meaningful extent.
Working group I, which deals with climate change's scientific principles, has warned that Earth is likely to reach the crucial 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit in the 2030s under the examined scenarios. Anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions undoubtedly and unequivocally drive global warming, and its significant effect on climate is inevitable. The projected changes in extreme weather, temperature, and precipitation are more extensive in frequency and intensity and increase further with every additional increment in temperature.
In the working group II report, climate change impacts are addressed, as well as the capacity of natural and human systems to adapt, reducing climate-associated risks. One of the pressing matters in this report is sea level rise, resulting from average ocean temperature increases and melting land ice driven by climate change. Even in the very low emissions scenario, the overall rise in sea level worldwide is estimated to be 4.1 millimeters per year between 2040 and 2060, putting the livelihood of coastal communities under severe stress.
Climate change mitigation is assessed in the working group III report, from technical feasibility to enabling environments like policy instruments. Mitigation options and pathways from other sectors are compared regarding the potential to reduce net emissions and costs. The report's near- and long-term perspectives will be relevant for governments and the private sector to ensure climate goals are met.
The future of Earth’s citizens depends on the decisions made today. Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is achievable and must go hand in hand with protecting biological diversity, ecosystems, and sustainable development.
What is the IPCC report?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. The long-awaited synthesis report released by the IPCC in March 2023 is the sixth assessment of its kind since the formation of the panel in 1988. The report, consisting of three parts contributed by three working groups, was prepared by evaluating scientific studies over the years from hundreds of researchers involved in various disciplines, and states the findings' confidence levels.Working group I, which deals with climate change's scientific principles, has warned that Earth is likely to reach the crucial 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit in the 2030s under the examined scenarios. Anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions undoubtedly and unequivocally drive global warming, and its significant effect on climate is inevitable. The projected changes in extreme weather, temperature, and precipitation are more extensive in frequency and intensity and increase further with every additional increment in temperature.
In the working group II report, climate change impacts are addressed, as well as the capacity of natural and human systems to adapt, reducing climate-associated risks. One of the pressing matters in this report is sea level rise, resulting from average ocean temperature increases and melting land ice driven by climate change. Even in the very low emissions scenario, the overall rise in sea level worldwide is estimated to be 4.1 millimeters per year between 2040 and 2060, putting the livelihood of coastal communities under severe stress.
Climate change mitigation is assessed in the working group III report, from technical feasibility to enabling environments like policy instruments. Mitigation options and pathways from other sectors are compared regarding the potential to reduce net emissions and costs. The report's near- and long-term perspectives will be relevant for governments and the private sector to ensure climate goals are met.
All hope is not lost
Though the findings of the IPCC’s sixth assessment are dire, limiting the Earth’s warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible with the help of innovative solutions and global cooperation for emission reductions and carbon sequestration. The timely release of this report, based on scientific evidence, provides humanity with an opportunity to rethink the future. The summary for policymakers provides accurate information that is backed by scientific data about climate change, ready to be used at future Conferences of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC, crucial international meetings that are the main opportunity to negotiate new measures and review progress against climate change.The future of Earth’s citizens depends on the decisions made today. Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is achievable and must go hand in hand with protecting biological diversity, ecosystems, and sustainable development.
