Another article from the same source:
Climate change report: what we must do to avert the looming crisis
Climate change is a threat to all aspects of our lives. Every degree of global warming is likely to increase the intensity and frequency of climate extremes, such as drought and flooding. In a bid to address this, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – an intergovernmental body of the United Nations – has released a
key report which looks at mitigation of climate change.
The report is prepared by 278 authors from 65 countries, based on evidence from 18,000 scientific references. It examines the sources of global emissions and explores the strategies that can be taken to limit and prevent global warming induced by humans...
According to the report, the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by people (what’s known as “anthropogenic emissions”) for example through industrial activities, has continued to rise. Its concentration in the recent decades (between 2010 and 2019) exceeded previous decades. This applies to all greenhouse gases and sectors, such as energy, transport, and manufacturing...
The largest growth in emissions was that of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry. It was followed by methane. In 2019, anthropogenic emissions reached 59 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, about 12% higher than in 2010.
It’s not all bad news. The rate of growth of emissions between 2010 and 2019 was lower than that between 2000 and 2009. There was a reduction in the annual growth rate of greenhouse gas emissions by 2.1% per year between 2000 and 2009. And 1.3% per year between 2010 and 2019.
However, this isn’t enough to limit global temperature warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in line with the
Paris Agreement.
The target of 1.5°C was meant to limit some of the worst effects of climate change, such as an increased number of severe heat waves on land, extreme storms and the destruction of ecosystems around the world.
Emission of greenhouse gases is on the rise, an indication that the worst lies ahead. According to the
IPCC’s report, we will
likely exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century.
The report projects a peak of greenhouse gas emissions between 2020 and 2025 in global modelled pathways if we have to limit warming to 1.5°C and it’s assumed that action will be taken to limit further warming thereafter.
However, without a beefing up of policies – beyond efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change (known as the
nationally-determined-contributions) implemented by the end of 2020 – emissions are
projected to continue rising past 2025, leading to an average warming of 3.2°C by 2100.
Such projected warming is likely to cause multiple and compound climate-related risks such extreme drought, rainfall deficits, and risks associated with water availability.
This is the time to act swiftly and shape the future. There is a need for concerted efforts to limit the emission of greenhouse gases from all sectors. This action must be taken at all levels; by individuals, countries and regions.
In the words of the
UN Secretary General during the release of the
report:
"It is time to stop burning our planet and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us."
Fossil-fuel combustion and industry, a leading emitter of carbon dioxide, requires more attention than before.
Green initiatives – such as increased generation of renewable energy and a focus on
green economies that are low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive – are key to the reduction of emissions and adaptation to climate change. These initiatives
will also provide health and economic benefits.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the entire energy sector entails major transitions, including:
- a marked reduction in overall fossil fuel use
- the deployment of low-emission energy sources
- switching to alternative energy carriers
- energy efficiency and conservation.
This is challenging but possible...
Apart from efforts to minimise the emissions, strategies are needed to remove the part of the carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere. This process, called
carbon sequestration, entails capturing, securing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can happen in vegetation, land and water. Recently, machines have been developed which can
suck carbon directly from the air...
Although it remains challenging to realise net zero emissions where there is a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out, emissions can be halved by 2030. As Hoesung Lee, the IPCC Chair, said:
"We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming."
