United Nation (SunstarTV Bureau): The report, which is the first major review of its kind since 2013, was released on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ahead of the COP26 summit in November.
UN scientists found that temperatures on Earth will likely exceed the 1.5C limit established in the Paris climate agreement in around two decades, adding that a near 2m rise in sea levels by the end of this century ‘cannot be ruled out’.
It also found that since 1970, global surface temperatures have risen faster than in any other 50-year period over the past 2,000 years.
The stated objective of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the international architecture to fight climate change, is to limit temperature increase to within 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, hopefully within 1.5 degrees Celsius itself. Scientists say a temperature rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius would result in catastrophic and irreversible changes that would make it difficult for human beings and other species to survive.
The report is a ‘reality check,’ giving a clearer picture of the climate in the past, present and future, the IPCC says
“Climate change is already affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways. The changes we experience will increase with additional warming.” IPCC Working Group Co-Chair Panmao Zhai said.
“The innovations in this report, & advances in climate science that it reflects, provide an invaluable input into climate negotiations & decision-making,” IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said.
“We now have a much clearer picture of the past, present and future climate, which is essential for understanding where we are headed, what can be done, and how we can be prepare,” Valerie Masson-Delmotte, working group, co-chair said.
“Climate Change is already affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways. The changes we experience will increase with additional warming,” IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai said.
“The IPCC Working Group I Report is a code red for humanity. Global heating is affecting every region on Earth, with many of the changes becoming irreversible,” Antonio Guterres, United Nations, Secretary General said.
