The 4th IPCC report synthesises the three aspects of climate change that it has already discussed in reports earlier in the year. As well as the unequivocal blame on humanity for climate change some of the irreversible impacts include:
- 20%-30% of species assessed so far at increased risk of extinction.
- between 75m and 250m people to have scarcer fresh water supplies than at present
- yields from rain-fed agriculture could be halved
- food security is likely to be further compromised in Africa
- there will be widespread destruction of coral reefs
The IPCC also highlights the need to deal with impacts which are coming whether or not global emissions are curbed.
The IPCC’s economic analyses say that trends can be reversed at reasonable cost, and solutions might even have additional benefits (such as improved health from reduced pollution). The IPCC scientists say the reversal needs to come within a decade or so if the worst effects of global warming are to be avoided. That means changing behaviour now.
This is another wake up call, likely to be largely ignored by politicians and big business leaders. It was hardly headline news. For many it may not be news at all. However we must all take action now in our own lifestyle to cut back on gratuitous consumption and then live more in line with the values we know to be right in our hearts.
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