Climate change and increasing global temperatures is a massive problem that is no longer the next generation's problem to fix. It is THIS generation's problem that must be fixed, otherwise the world will suffer greatly. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just released an exhaustive report on the state of climate change and the future of this planet. The report is alarming. Very alarming! We have 12 years to fix climate change and get temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions under control.
What is meant by "under control"? The report defines "under control" as reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030. This would be a massive undertaking and a huge decrease in a short period of time. Why this amount and date? Doing so will put us on the path of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We've already warmed the planet by a full degree Celsius. An increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius will still cause world wide problems (hunger, thirst, greater weather related natural disasters) and mass extinctions, but the effect will be much, much greater with a full 2 degrees Celsius. But to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees requires a drastic reduction in greenhouse emissions NOW!
The U.S. government's response? To question the political motivations of the IPCC. Sigh. In other words, get ready for nothing to be done and the world to suffer greatly in our lifetimes. Not five decades from now but one, ONE, decade from now. Climate change is not a political issue. It is a human issue and denying it is to deny reality and welcome the suffering of millions each year living near coastlines or regions of increasing drought. Climate change is already killing people and denying it and doing nothing is a death sentence for millions.
For the full report, click the link below.
IPCC Report - 2018
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