The world’s leading scientists say that at the current pace of climate adaptation, we will miss targets to ward off the most catastrophic effects of climate change.
The AR6th synthesis report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was released on Monday. According to the report, we have the means to meet climate goals, if world leaders and communities take unprecedented and ambitious action.
“Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee in a press release. “This Synthesis Report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that, if we act now, we can still secure a liveable sustainable future for all.”
The report also notes that human activities have already caused irreversible damage to the planet and people that will have lasting effects for generations to come.
Notably, the report also highlighted the need for an equitable transition, climate justice, and loss and damage financing.
According to the report highlights, “Vulnerable communities who have historically contributed the least to current climate change are disproportionately affected.” The findings also show that supporting the most vulnerable will improve adaptation outcomes for all.
This comes after loss and damage finance was a key issue at COP27, the UN global conference, held in Egypt last November.
In a headline statement, the report says, ”Rapid and far-reaching transitions across all sectors and systems are necessary to achieve deep and sustained emissions reductions and secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”
In short, we need to do it all — transition, adaptation, mitigation, etc. — boldly and quickly.
