These problems, compounded by existing challenges facing our world such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and current geopolitical tensions, emphasize the urgent need for governments around the globe to set very ambitious goals to address climate risks.
“The new IPCC report clearly outlines that the future is here when it comes to climate change,” explains Jackie Dawson, lead author on the IPCC 6th Assessment Report for Chapter 16 – North America and Cross-Chapter Paper 6 – Polar Regions and Co-Scientific Director, Network of Centres of Excellence, ArcticNet, Canada Research Chair (tier 1) in the Human and Policy Dimensions of Climate Change, Full professor of geography, environment and geomatics in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ottawa, and member of the Institute for science, society and policy (ISSP). “We are already observing threats to human well-being and the health of the planet through increases in extreme events such as wildfire, floods, drought, and major storms as well as climatic events such as sea level rise, permafrost thaw, and changing precipitation patterns – all of which have significant impacts for our lives and the lives of our brothers, sisters, friends, and families. We will face unavoidable climate hazards over the next two decades even if we are able to keep warming to 1.5degrees C. (we are currently at 1.1 C warming above pre-industrial times). We are not adapting quickly enough, and the costs of inaction are almost always higher than the cost of action.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations’ body for assessing the science related to climate change and its latest report is a grim warning about the consequences of inaction.
Professor Dawson adds “there is hope and we are well positioned to adapt to the changes and risks that ongoing climate change bring but the way forward is through global cooperation, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, a commitment to planetary protections, and a strong focus on equity.”
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