The IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, established by the United Nations to investigate the effects of climate, is one of the most reliable scientific resources on climate with its extensive research reports and prominent scientists. One of his reports, which he publishes about once every 8 years, was published recently. There are important points that science tells us about climate.
The climate crisis is definitely man-made..
One of the main points of the report is that people are clearly the cause of the climate crisis. Previously, this idea was not accepted as clear information, 97% of scientists agreed on this issue. It is now accepted as scientific fact. The climate crisis emerged when the greenhouse gases we released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels warmed our planet. Our fossil fuel consumption has increased especially as a result of industrialization and increased consumption demand. In other words, the disasters we face are not "natural", they are caused by us.
The climate crisis affects every part of the world in different ways..
It is impossible not to be aware of the effects of the climate crisis. It is possible to see various disasters happening all over the world. In some places, fires destroy hectares of forest, in others, floods take the lives of hundreds of people. Extreme weather events, fires, floods, droughts, storms and tornadoes, which are the devastating effects of the climate crisis, are now happening all over the world and very often. Although these events do not affect every region in the world in the same way, no one is safe.
By 2040 we will exceed the 1.5 °C limit.
If we continue to live in this way, it is inevitable that we will exceed the 1.5 degree global temperature increase limit set in the Paris Climate Agreement in the next 10-20 years. According to the report, if we do not reduce emissions, the global temperature increase could reach 2-3.5 degrees. The 1.5 degree goal will only be possible with a transformational change, with firm steps towards net zero.
CO₂ in the atmosphere2 is at its highest in the last 2 million years..
As a result of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, the rate of CO₂ we emit into the atmosphere has risen to a level that has not been encountered for millions of years. Conditions such as transportation, nutrition, consumption habits and forest fires are effective on the greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere. We must avoid using them to warm our planet and demand necessary change from government leaders and big corporations.2 Conditions such as transportation, nutrition, consumption habits and forest fires are effective on the greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere. We must avoid using them to warm our planet and demand necessary change from government leaders and big corporations.
Climate change will increase the frequency of unprecedented weather events..
The instability in the climate is and will continue to show itself with heavy rains, droughts, fires and tornadoes. As the planet warms, all kinds of extreme weather events will become more severe: as heavy rains increase, so will droughts.
Although the report did not sound very encouraging, it should actually be a factor that motivates us to take action. It's not too late for anything yet. The steps that scientists tell us need to be taken are clear, we must ensure that they are implemented by putting the necessary pressure and demanding change.
Alara Civelek
