IPCC Releases Worrying Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report
This week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released it's Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis report. The new report is Working Group I's contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC. Climate Change 2021 provides the latest data and information on the physical understanding of climate change. In doing so, it brings together the latest in climate science, evidence, understanding and observation.
What is the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC?
The IPCC publishes a number of reports each year. Each report is published by a different working group. It can get quite confusing but fortunately the video below summarises all you need to know about the Sixth Assessment Report.
What Does the Sixth Assessment Report Contain?
The Sixth Assessment Report on climate change details that observations of a changing climate are evident in all regions across the world. These changes are unprecedented in hundreds of thousands of years.
This is why the main outcome of the report makes for difficult reading. It states that "climate change [is] widespread, rapid, and intensifying".
The issue with these changes is that they would take thousands of years to reverse. Take rising sea levels as an example. To reverse the ongoing process would take hundreds of thousands of years.
However, this doesn't mean it's too late. For example, "strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change." Such changes would take time though. It could take 20-30 years for global temperatures to stabilise.
What are the Key Facts from the Climate Change 2021 Report
The Sixth Assessment Report contains a wealth of information. Therefore, we've put together some of the key facts detailed in the report and the press release for your easy consumption. Take a look below:
- The global water cycle is intensifying leading to more rain and flooding.
- Sea level rises are continuing and what were once in a century events could now happen every year.
- The loss of summer Arctic sea ice will continue and permafrost melt will contribute to higher sea levels.
- Ocean ecosystems will not be able to survive the ongoing changes which include ocean acidification, reduced oxygen levels and heatwaves.
- Heatwaves and floods in cities will be amplified.
What can we do to Fight Climate Change?
There are a number of things we can do as individuals to combat climate change. The CHEC website regularly provides new articles on things you can do to lower your carbon footprint, help nature and make positive changes.
For example, you could make changes to limit your food waste. Alternatively, you could learn more about climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
If you're really brave you could also change your clothing habits and limit your clothing waste.
Where can I Read the Climate Change Report?
Along with the report, the IPCC held a press conference, wrote a press release and published a number of resources. We've linked to them all below.
