Severe Weather Warnings
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its latest assessment report, confirming that global warming is accelerating and is expected to breach the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels within the next three years if current trends continue[2]. This alarming prediction highlights the urgent need for strengthened mitigation policies globally.
Every region across the globe is experiencing climate impacts. Europe, for instance, is warming faster than other continents, experiencing more frequent and severe heatwaves with dire health impacts[2]. The world is on track to see up to 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100[1].
The planet is currently 1.07 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels[2]. The difference between 1.4 degrees and 1.6 degrees Celsius matters significantly, as every fraction of a degree counts at this point. The report shows that the communities least responsible for emissions are taking a disproportionate brunt of climate impacts. Over 1 million acres of Panamanian forests, which sequester nearly 400 tons of carbon per acre, have been lost in the last decade[1].
Indigenous people, like Omi, are protectors and guardians of forests and life. Research shows that Indigenous people are some of the best land stewards, with more than one-fifth of the carbon stored in tropical forests falling under their jurisdiction[1]. The latest IPCC report is an opportunity to recognize the relationship between Indigenous people and Mother Earth. Indigenous leader Sara Omi emphasizes the urgency of the planet's heating, as it threatens her homelands and the planet's well-being.
To limit heating to 1.4 degrees Celsius by 2100, policymakers must act immediately, especially to cut methane emissions. The IPCC report highlights the need for public and private leaders to cut emissions and keep carbon in the ground[1]. Improving climate models and integrating better feedback understanding is crucial for accurate future projections and policy guidance[2].
The IPCC found a 66 to 100% likelihood that anthropogenic behavior is to blame for these phenomena[2]. The report aligns with extensive observational data and climate system indicators[2]. While some recent government reports argue that climate models may run hot and highlight natural climate variability, the IPCC has already incorporated such considerations by using observational constraints and past climates to refine projections[1].
In the best-case scenario, Arctic seas may be ice-free come summertime by 2050[2]. The latest findings underscore the need for global cooperation and swift action to combat climate change. The forthcoming AR7, beginning in late 2025, will update and deepen these findings further[5].
