Enhanced action is needed to prevent the continued warming that is increasing the likelihood of irreversible changes in the climate system, known as tipping pointsīillions of people around the world are exposed to climate change impacts. Mitigation pledges are insufficient to achieve the Paris Agreement. Looking forward, there is a 48% chance that, during at least one year in the next five years, annual mean temperature will temporarily be 1.5 ☌ higher than in 1850-1900 Recent years saw record high temperatures and ocean heat. I thank the many expert teams involved in creating this report for their collaboration, uniting the climate science community to deliver the latest essential information, in these unprecedented times.Ītmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise and fossil fuel emissions are now above pre-pandemic levels after a temporary drop due to lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in 20 It is more important than ever that we scale up action on early warning systems to build resilience to current and future climate risks in vulnerable communities. Research on this and other climate tipping points, such as the melting of polar ice sheets, will help society better understand the costs, benefits and potential limitations of climate mitigation and adaptation in the future.Ĭlimate science is increasingly able to show that many of the extreme weather events that we are experiencing have become more likely and more intense due to human-induced climate change. This could lead to physiological tipping points beyond which outdoor human labor is no longer possible without technical assistance. The combined effects of higher temperatures and humidity in some regions could have dangerous consequences for human health in the next few decades. Ambition of emissions reduction pledges for 2030 needs to be seven times higher to meet the 1.5 ☌ goal of the Paris Agreement. These trends will continue if we do not act urgently to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Cities, which contribute 70% of global emissions, are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. The past seven years were the warmest on record. Fossil fuel emission rates are now above pre-pandemic levels. Greenhouse gas concentrations are continuing to rise, reaching new record highs. The science is unequivocal: we are going in the wrong direction. I urge all leaders to heed the facts in this report, to unite behind the science and to take ambitious urgent climate action. However, we need much more if we are to rise to the existential climate challenge. I am pleased that the World Meteorological Organization is developing a plan to ensure universal global early warning coverage within the next five years. Ensuring early warnings is essential to help people prepare for extreme weather events, droughts and other climatic impacts. Yet, many developing countries still lack such systems. A first necessary step, which is both quick and cost-effective, is early warning.Įarly warnings save lives and livelihoods from climate threats. We must also double investment in adaptation. We need a renewable energy revolution to bring down carbon emissions. This year’s United in Science report shows that we are way off track. In the Paris Agreement on climate change, governments pledged to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and to build climate-resilient communities. The answer lies in urgent climate action, yet we continue to feed our fossil fuel addiction and to compromise the livelihoods of future generations. Rapidly accelerating climate disruption means that no one is safe from disasters such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, extreme storms, wildfires or sea level rise. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |