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The rate of global warming has increased over the past few years, according to the latest UN climate report.
What’s going on
- On August 9, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented a climate report over the past 7 years, according to which global warming is accelerating.
- The Earth’s average temperature is projected to rise by 1,5°C by 2030, 10 years earlier than the previous forecast.
- In addition, it is noted that the number and severity of extreme natural events, from floods to heat waves, have increased. Scientists attribute this to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
- Experts note that widespread and rapid climate change has already occurred, some of which are irreversible. Even under the most optimistic scenario, in which CO emissions2 are shrinking sharply and the world is carbon neutral by 2050, Earth’s surface temperature will still increase by more than 1,5°C (compared to pre-industrial levels).
- The effects of climate change are getting worse with every fraction of a degree of warming. Scientists warn that even with an increase of 1,5 ° C, the climate system can become unrecognizable.
- According to the report, in order to prevent a global environmental catastrophe, world leaders must immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
- 230 experts from 66 countries of the world took part in the preparation of the report.
What does it mean
Global climate change is one of the most pressing problems of our time. By joint efforts, countries from all over the world are trying to minimize the consequences of global warming, however, as follows from the IPCC report, more active and large-scale action is needed.
“This really calls for unprecedented change, a quick and immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. However, the thought that there is still a way forward should give us some hope,” said Coe Barrett, former Vice Chair of the IPCC.
It is worth emphasizing that there is no longer any doubt that global warming is caused by human activity, which means that it is in the hands of man to fix it.
The development of renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, as well as the gradual “greening” of the industry, allows us to hope for the best. In addition, the fight against global warming is also being carried out at the level of environmental regulators – carbon taxes are already being introduced in different countries. For example, in July 2021, the European Commission presented the EU Green Deal environmental plan, which involves the introduction of a cross-border “carbon tax”.