The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has just released the Summary for Policymakers of the report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The report issues a dire warning for the future, outlining that unavoidable climate hazards are expected over the next two decades with global warming of 1.5°C.
Above: Slide from the IPCC Press Conference by IPCC Working Group II Co-Chair, Debra Roberts.
The report highlights that urgent action is required to deal with increasing risks, including increased heatwaves, droughts, and floods. It also highlights that safeguarding and strengthening nature is key to securing a livable future with new insights into nature’s potential to reduce climate risks and improve people’s lives. Thirdly, the report highlights that cities are hotspots of impacts and risks, but are also a crucial part of the solution. Lastly, the report makes it clear that there is a narrowing window for action. Climate-resilient development is already challenging and its potential will become more limited if global warming exceeds 1.5°C. In some regions, it will be impossible if global warming exceeds 2°C. It clearly shows that climate action, focusing on equity and justice, is urgent and it calls for political commitment and partnership leading to more effective climate change adaptation and emissions reductions.
Our congratulations to IPCC Working Group II on this outcome of all their hard work over the last five years.
