IN a dire warning about the state of the planet, United Nation (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged developed nations to take immediate action to reduce emissions in the wake of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“Dear friends, climate time bomb,” said IPCC.
The report revealed that the planet is on track to warm by 3.2 °C by the end of the century, with temperatures rising by at least 2.2 °C even if existing pledges are met.
According to Guterres, the ‘climate time bomb is ticking,’ and the report is a ‘survival guide for humanity.’
The IPCC report summarized findings from 3 expert assessments published between 2021 and 2022, which looked at the physical science, impacts, and mitigation of climate change. The report is designed to provide policymakers with clarity as they consider further action to reduce emissions.
The IPCC has stated that if emissions are not halved by the mid-2030s, there will be little chance of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, which is a key target enshrined in the Paris accord.
The report warned of more extreme weather, rapidly rising sea levels, melting Arctic ice and the growing likelihood of catastrophic and irreversible “tipping points,” it also revealed that nearly half of the world’s population is already vulnerable to climate impacts.
The IPCC report will serve as a guide for a global climate change “stock take” set to take place this year, in which countries will assess progress.
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations are also expected to update climate pledges by 2025.
The report has already caused controversy, with governments disagreeing on the language around finance, projected impacts of climate change, and the issue of “equity” and climate justice for poorer countries.
The IPCC has called for the world to accelerate the transition to green energy and transform agriculture and eating habits if it has any chance of making the necessary cuts in emissions.
The report highlights the urgent need for climate action on all fronts, stating that “everything, everywhere, all at once” is required to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
“We have never been better, climate action now,” said by IPCC.
