UN Climate Change Report: We Have 12 Years to Act

A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said there is only until 2030 to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Special Report on Global Warming said that the previous target of global warming of 2 degrees Celsius decided on in the Paris Agreement would be catastrophic, and that by limiting warming to only half a degree less would avoid or lessen some climate change impacts.

The report shows that we are already seeing the consequences of a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature. Even with a 1.5 degree Celsius increase, there will be significant changes to sea levels, weather, and ecosystems. However, allowing temperatures to rise 2 degrees Celsius would have disastrous effects, including near eradication of all coral reefs, agricultural damage, and displacement of millions of people.

The decisions made today are vital for a sustainable world and the next few years are the most important in history, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II Debra Roberts said.

In order to reach the goal temperature, we need to limit carbon emissions by 40-50 percent by 2030, and have no net additional greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2050, the report said. This is unlikely without new measures and technologies, some of which have not been invented yet. The report shows ways that carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere. However, these ways are expensive, difficult, or experimental. The methods are possible, but would require unprecedented changes.

The report was prepared by 91 authors and review editors, citing over 6,000 scientific sources, IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said.