Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruptions to nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce risks. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hit hardest, scientists said in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released today (28 February).
“This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction,” said Hoesung Lee, president of the IPCC. “This shows that climate change is a serious and growing threat to our well-being and a healthy planet. Our actions today will shape how people adapt and nature responds to growing climate risks.”
The world faces several unavoidable climate risks over the next two decades with global warming reaching 1,5°C (2,7°F). Even temporarily exceeding this level of warming will result in additional severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible. Risks to 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, 27 February 2022, by 195 IPCC member governments, through a virtual session of approval that was carried out over two weeks starting on February 14th.
Increased heatwaves, droughts and floods are already exceeding the tolerance limits of plants and animals, causing mass mortality in species such as trees and corals. These climate 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, Small Islands and the Arctic.
To prevent the increasing loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, ambitious and accelerated action is needed to adapt to climate change while making rapid and deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. So far, progress on adaptation is uneven and there are growing gaps between the measures taken and what is needed to address growing risks, according to the new report. These gaps are largest among low-income populations.
The Working Group II report is the second part 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 previous IPCC assessments,” said Hoesung Lee. “It emphasizes the urgency for immediate and more ambitious actions to address with climate risks. Half measures are no longer an option.”
There are options to adapt to a changing climate. This report provides new insights into nature's potential to not only reduce climate risks but also improve people's lives.
“Healthy ecosystems are more resilient to climate change and provide essential services for life, such as food and clean water,” said Hans-Otto Pörtner, co-chair of IPCC Working Group II. “By restoring degraded ecosystems and effectively and equitably conserving 30 to 50 percent of Earth's land, freshwater and ocean habitats, society can benefit from nature's ability to absorb and store carbon, and we can accelerate progress toward to sustainable development, but adequate finance and policy 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, compromising future development.
“Our assessment clearly shows that addressing 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 the 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.”
This report provides a detailed assessment of climate change impacts, risks and adaptation in cities, where more than half of the world's population lives. People's health, lives and livelihoods, as well as property and critical infrastructure, including energy and transport systems, are increasingly being adversely affected by risks from heat waves, storms, droughts and floods, as well as such as slow-onset changes, including sea level rise.
“Together, increasing 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,” said Debra Roberts.
“But cities also offer 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 lead to a more inclusive and fair society.”
There is increasing evidence of adaptation that has caused unintended consequences, for example by destroying nature, endangering people's lives or increasing greenhouse gas emissions. This can be avoided by involving everyone in planning, paying attention to equity and justice, and leveraging indigenous and local knowledge.
Climate change is a global challenge that requires local solutions and that is why Working Group II's contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) provides extensive regional information to enable Climate Resilient Development.
The report clearly states that Climate Resilient Development is already a challenge at current levels of warming. It will become more limited if global warming exceeds 1,5°C (2,7°F). In some regions, it will be impossible if global warming exceeds 2°C (3,6°F). This key finding underscores the urgency of climate action, with a focus on equity and justice. Adequate financing, technology transfer, political commitment and partnership lead to more effective adaptation to climate change and emissions reductions.
“The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human well-being and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and quickly closing window to ensure a livable future,” said Hans-Otto Pörtner.
The full report, in English, can be read by clicking here.
Further information can be obtained at: www.ipcc.ch
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