What’s this report people are talking about?

There are few news items that could knock the Covid pandemic off top spot but Climate Change is one. On Monday (9th August) the IPCC released a report on climate change. It is damning of us all, frightening for us all and asks extremely hard questions of us all. IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is a body within the United Nations for assessing the science behind climate change. It has been active since 1988 with 195 countries as members. This latest report has been eight years in the making and represents the knowledge the world has on the climate situation.

What does the report say?

The Report emphasises three main facts and it should be emphasised that evidence supports all three. It is time for the doubters to stand aside. They have had their time and that time has now passed. The Report states:

1. That there is observed significant warming of the Earth’s surface

2. That at least part of this increase is due to human activities

3. That global mean temperatures, sea levels and frequency of heat waves are projected to increase

In short, the way many of us live is putting the future of the planet and subsequent generations at risk. Only drastic actions now can help avert this. 

So, what needs to happen?

World leaders are, at last, going to have to act by passing AND FOLLOWING new and effective policies that take us all towards a low-carbon economy and way of living.

Governments will meet in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in November at the COP26 talks. Each nation is being asked to come with new plans as to how greenhouse gases (the emissions we produce that lead to climate change) can be reduced.

It is worth quoting Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary. He has warned,

As Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, said: “This is not the first generation of world leaders to be warned by scientists about the gravity of the climate crisis but they’re the last that can afford to ignore them”.

Why are we so late to react?

Thirty-five years ago, I was studying a science degree. There were plenty of graphs then showing rising global temperatures. I also learned about these greenhouse gases, that they came from fossil fuel usage and that clearing forests was exacerbating the problem. Warning bells were being sounded in the 80s (and before). Why didn’t world leaders respond then? There is no one answer to this and it may be slightly different for each state. It is complex. But, whatever the reasoning previously, those decisions and lack of serious action were a major error of judgement by short-sighted men and women.

What will it take?

It will take a change in perspective form those at the top. Leaders will need to recognise and really believe that every person has a value. That flooding, drought and wildfires destroying people’s homes and livelihoods and taking lives, does actually matter, whether in Germany or Bangladesh. It is not about making brave decisions; it is about making common sense decisions based upon concern for everyone. Some leaders will need to remember that they are not in position for their own benefit but for the benefit of those they represent. It will also require a change for those of us who may feel distanced from responsibility for causing the problem or correcting it. We all need to take responsibility and we all need to do what we can; particularly those of us living our consumerist lives. That will have to change.

Why does climate change matter so much to World Development & Relief?

The world’s materially poor often live on the most fragile land and are often socially, politically and economically marginalised. They are especially vulnerable to any negative change, whatever its source. Climate change affects everything from where a person can live to whether they can access healthcare. More extreme weather will put at risk their homes, land, livelihoods and very lives. The poor are less likely to be able to mitigate climate change effects or recover from the impacts. WDR’s partner around the world, especially those working amongst rural communities have long been telling tales of changing weather patterns. Life has been becoming harder for the poor for decades due to climate change. This is the context of WDR’s work.

What do you and I do?

We can each be more proactive about reducing our carbon footprint. We can lobby for political change and vote for those in power who are more serious about taking up this huge challenge of halting climate change. Perhaps we can all start by familiarising ourselves with the contents of the IPCC Report.

 Short summary video from The Independent

Explore various versions of the IPCC Report here.

 NB The Report is the first part of a three-part document. Monday’s report will be followed by two further instalments next year: one focusing upon the impacts of climate change and one on potential solutions.