Climate change: A threat to human wellbeing and health of the planet
Taking action now can secure our future, experts say in new IPCC report


Date:
February 28, 2022
Source:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Summary:
Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread
disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people
around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People
and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit, said
scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) report.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread
disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around
the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People and ecosystems
least able to cope are being hardest hit, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released today.


========================================================================== "This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction," said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. "It shows that climate change is a grave
and mounting threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet. Our actions
today will shape how people adapt and nature responds to increasing
climate risks." The world faces unavoidable multiple climate hazards
over the next two decades with global warming of 1.5DEGC (2.7DEGF). Even temporarily exceeding this warming level will result in additional severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible. Risks for society will
increase, including to infrastructure and low-lying coastal settlements.

The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group II report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability was approved on Sunday, February 27 2022,by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that was held over two weeks starting on February 14.

Urgent action required to deal with increasing risks Increased heatwaves, droughts and floods are already exceeding plants' and animals' tolerance thresholds, driving mass mortalities in species such as trees and
corals. These weather extremes are occurring simultaneously, causing
cascading impacts that are increasingly difficult to manage. They
have exposed millions of people to acute food and water insecurity,
especially in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, on Small Islands
and in the Arctic.



==========================================================================
To avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure,
ambitious, accelerated action is required to adapt to climate change, at
the same time as making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. So
far, progress on adaptation is uneven and there are increasing gaps
between action taken and what is needed to deal with the increasing
risks, the new report finds. These gaps are largest among lower-income populations.

The Working Group II report is the second instalment of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year.

"This report recognizes the interdependence of climate, biodiversity and
people and integrates natural, social and economic sciences more strongly
than earlier IPCC assessments," said Hoesung Lee. "It emphasizes the
urgency of immediate and more ambitious action to address climate
risks. Half measures are no longer an option." Safeguarding and
strengthening nature is key to securing a liveable future There are
options to adapt to a changing climate. This report provides new insights
into nature's potential not only to reduce climate risks but also to
improve people's lives.



========================================================================== "Healthy ecosystems are more resilient to climate change and provide life- critical services such as food and clean water," said IPCC Working Group
II Co- Chair Hans-Otto Po"rtner. "By restoring degraded ecosystems and effectively and equitably conserving 30 to 50 per cent of Earth's land, freshwater and ocean habitats, society can benefit from nature's capacity
to absorb and store carbon, and we can accelerate progress towards
sustainable development, but adequate finance and political support
are essential." Scientists point out that climate change interacts
with global trends such as unsustainable use of natural resources,
growing urbanization, social inequalities, losses and damages from
extreme events and a pandemic, jeopardizing future development.

"Our assessment clearly shows that tackling all these different challenges involves everyone -- governments, the private sector, civil society --
working together to prioritize risk reduction, as well as equity and
justice, in decision-making and investment," said IPCC Working Group II Co-Chair Debra Roberts.

"In this way, different interests, values and world views can
be reconciled. By bringing together scientific and technological
know-how as well as Indigenous and local knowledge, solutions will be
more effective. Failure to achieve climate resilient and sustainable development will result in a sub-optimal future for people and nature."
Cities: Hotspots of impacts and risks, but also a crucial part of the
solution This report provides a detailed assessment of climate change
impacts, risks and adaptation in cities, where more than half the world's population lives.

People's health, lives and livelihoods, as well as property and critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation systems, are being increasingly adversely affected by hazards from heatwaves, storms, drought
and flooding as well as slow-onset changes, including sea level rise.

"Together, growing urbanization and climate change create complex risks, especially for those cities that already experience poorly planned urban growth, high levels of poverty and unemployment, and a lack of basic
services," Debra Roberts said.

"But cities also provide opportunities for climate action -- green
buildings, reliable supplies of clean water and renewable energy, and sustainable transport systems that connect urban and rural areas can
all lead to a more inclusive, fairer society." There is increasing
evidence of adaptation that has caused unintended consequences, for
example destroying nature, putting peoples' lives at risk or increasing greenhouse gas emissions. This can be avoided by involving everyone in planning, attention to equity and justice, and drawing on Indigenous
and local knowledge.

A narrowing window for action Climate change is a global challenge that requires local solutions and that's why the Working Group II contribution
to the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) provides extensive regional information to enable Climate Resilient Development.

The report clearly states Climate Resilient Development is already
challenging at current warming levels. It will become more limited if
global warming exceeds 1.5DEGC (2.7DEGF). In some regions it will be
impossible if global warming exceeds 2DEGC (3.6DEGF). This key finding underlines the urgency for climate action, focusing on equity and
justice. Adequate funding, technology transfer, political commitment
and partnership lead to more effective climate change adaptation and
emissions reductions.

"The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat
to human wellbeing and the health of the planet. Any further delay in
concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to
secure a liveable future," said Hans-Otto Po"rtner.

More information about the Sixth Assessment Report can be found at:
https:// www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/ special promotion
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in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change_(IPCC). Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


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Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220228131507.htm

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