Policymakers, investors, and businesses are urged by the UN to combine forces and accelerate their decarbonization efforts, as the window for a sustainable future is rapidly getting smaller. Progress is continuing at a slower than needed rate across the global economy and efforts need to be significantly sped up. Despite society’s strong and widespread efforts to increase proactive awareness, reduce emissions and create environmental initiatives and projects, among so many other important factors, available solutions need to be increased tenfold as global warming continues at a dangerous level.
The latest, government approved report published by the scientists on the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warns the slow progression and embrace of low carbon technologies and business projects will need to be met and exceeded with steeper emission cuts. To avert the potential catastrophic natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, droughts and heatwaves, higher efforts are required than previously anticipated. The report warns, after over a century of burning fossil fuels, global temperatures have risen 1.1C (33.98F) above pre-industrial levels. Current environmental and climate policies are expected to lead the temperature to 2.8C (37.04F) by 2100.
This report heavily focuses on the warnings of the anticlimactic and unattainable goals through the current enacted policies and progression nexus – stating that society needs to be prepared for the forbotting extreme weather conditions and climate impacts. Currently, the US is undergoing extreme weather changes and consequences from the advanced atmospheric rivers, among other climate factors. These conditions are frequently hitting vulnerable communities and ecosystems that will need more attention to gain stability in the aftermath.
"Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits. 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," stated IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.
According to the report, in order to meet the critical temperature limit of under 1.5C (34.7F), emissions need to be cut 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035. These statistics are intimidating due to the fact that, as previously stated, the current policies, projects and initiatives put into place by governments and businesses are not on track of meeting the first desired goal, let alone the second – this can be a scary thought for society.
The new IPCC reports are influential and valuable towards upcoming efforts, as they are endorsed by governments, used as an outline for climate agreements and policies, they shape the UN negotiations, and have been used as an educational source for businesses to understand the escalating risks.
“The report also provides an update on global efforts to curb emissions, with the adoption of low-carbon technologies, shifting patterns of consumption and demand, socio-cultural behavioral changes, enhancements to technological efficiency, and a major boost to nature and conservation efforts all singled out as key ways to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and enhance citizens' resilience to climate impacts,” stated the Business Green article. With the reiteration that these solutions are widely available, low in cost and benefit society through public health, enhanced human wellbeing, and the opening of new employment opportunities.
The summary of the report was approved early Sunday morning [March 19th] in Inkerland, Switzerland, with few opposing topics at the forefront. The discussion also outlined the importance of country/ governmental collaboration, with a several hour long conversation documenting the debate between developed and developing countries regarding emission targets and financial aid and ability.
