The Latest IPCC Report - 254

 The IPCC is the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) comprises 193 nations whose scientists are charged with advancing scientific knowledge about anthropogenic (man-caused) climate change. It is an internationally accepted authority on climate change, and its findings are endorsed by leading climate scientists and all member governments. Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For the assessment reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts, and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks. An open and transparent review by experts and governments worldwide is essential to the IPCC process, ensuring an objective and complete assessment and reflecting diverse views and expertise. Through its studies, the IPCC identifies the strength of scientific agreement in different areas and indicates where further research is needed.

To show you how extensive its work is, 782 scientists (and hundreds more contributing authors) analyzed more than 66,000 peer-reviewed studies across its three working groups who contributed to the Sixth Assessment Report.

The most recent publication just released is the Synthesis Report, which analyzes all the previous reports to assess where we are today. It is straightforward:

“Observed changes in the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, and biosphere provide unequivocal evidence of a world that has warmed,” the report says—and human activity is “indisputably” the cause. Moreover, if allowed to continue, these changes will irrevocably alter the earth in ways inhospitable to man and the rest of creation.

The good news is if we make the right changes today, we will make tomorrow much more pleasant. We need bolder global climate commitments, and we need them fast so we can transition to clean energy and reach “net zero” emissions as soon as possible. The IPCC's report shows we need to cut emissions drastically.

 Additionally, we need to remove some carbon already in the atmosphere. Fortunately, nature created a powerful technology that does just that: photosynthesis. Plants store carbon from the air in their roots and soil.

In addition to phasing out fossil fuels, we must protect the natural habitats worldwide that store billions of tons of this “living carbon.” We can also help by changing how we manage working lands like farms and forests, so they retain more carbon. Natural habits that consume and sequester carbon need to be protected.  Natural habitats on lands that have been cleared or degraded must be restored. 

What can we do to stop climate change?

A global challenge like climate change requires global solutions. It will require movement-building, on-the-ground action, new national policies, and economic transformations. Here are a few things that communities, governments, and businesses can do: Communities can create programs to insulate homes and promote electric vehicle use. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has provisions to help communities modernize. By taking advantage of economic incentives, individuals can save on energy bills and play an essential role in protecting the planet.

We can support Indigenous Peoples.  Indigenous-managed lands support about 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity and 17 percent of the planet’s forest carbon. Public lands controlled by Indigenous Peoples sequester more carbon and support more of nature’s plants and animals than any other land. To help Indigenous groups keep playing this crucial role, governments must formally recognize their land and resource rights, and funding for climate action should include support for their communities.

Citizens must support ambitious government plans to eliminate emissions and pull greenhouse gases from the air. Many actions involve working with nature to help nature’s natural processes. Protecting what is left of the natural world is a first-tier focus. Changes in forestry and agricultural and animal husbandry will make a massive difference. The cost worldwide, as estimated by the IPCC, is 400 billion dollars. This may sound like a lot, but it is less than the current government subsidies these sectors are already receiving.

The best part of these changes is that transitioning to clean, sustainable forms of energy, while improving how we manage and protect nature, will improve our waters and air. In addition, presentations I have attended by climate scientists in the healthcare business. The professionals tell us health improvements for our people, especially our kids, will save enough money to more than cover the cost of transitioning.

One unlikely bright spot is the commitment of business to what is called ESG. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance and refers to the three key factors when measuring an investment's sustainability and ethical impact on society by a business or company. So, if we are socially responsible investors, we will check out companies using ESG criteria to screen investments.

Refrain from feeling like an environmental fanatic if you become picky about your investments. Blackrock is the world’s largest investment managing company managing over 10 trillion in assets. It is a leader in adopting ESG investment guardrails.  Note there is NO correlation between recent bank failures and ESG. This is a fabrication by a few Republican Politicians.

We must support a carbon pollution fee or a carbon market to steer the global movement to successfully make the “macro” changes needed to avoid catastrophic climate change. Economists support both. Either system will work, but we need one or the other.

The world’s best scientists constructed the sixth synergistic assessment for us. Its warnings and recommendations are unequivocal.

The IPCC report is empowering. We know the enemies. They are ignorance and apathy. If we banish these and move to action, we ensure success and cement our legacy.

References: The IPCC 6th Synergistic Report.

“Nature” the Science Journal

Wikipedia

The Nature Conservancy “The Latest IPCC Report: What is it and why does it matter?”

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