Why is it “imperative” to reduce by half the emission of Greenhouse Gases?

“Inevitable” and “irreversible” are some of the terms with which the Sixth Report “AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023” defined the future changes that the planet will suffer, even if the increase in temperature is limited to 1.5 °C until 2030. The researcher of the UC Global Change Center, Diego González, explained the importance and why climate action is necessary from all parts of the planet.

Many reactions have aroused, worldwide, after the publication of the Sixth Report “AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023”prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The complete document, which contains all the research compiled for 8 years by experts from three working groups: Group I “The Physical Science Basis”; Group II “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”, and Group III “Mitigation of Climate Change”; and that it also considered three special reports: “Global Warming of 1.5°C”, “Climate Change and Land”, and “The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate”, highlighted that “climate action is imperative; that current plans are insufficient; and that increasing global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions make it likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century and make it more difficult to limit warming below 2°C”.

The increase in extreme weather events; global loss of glacier mass, melting of permafrost and declining snow cover; the extent of Arctic sea ice; the disappearance of species and the irreversible loss of biodiversity in ecosystems such as forests, coral reefs and arctic regions are some of the consequences that will continue to increase due to global warming.

The researcher of UC Cambio Globa Centerl, Diego González, stressed that GHG emissions maintain a growing trend over time and that, if they are not stopped, the consequences of global warming above 1.5°C are inevitable. What would cause the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, rainfall, among others. In addition, the increased risk of loss of biodiversity and ecosystems; new risks to human health due to diseases; heat shock; malnutrition; migration etc

“If we don’t stop emissions, they would increase between 3.3°C and 5.7°C, with the effects of medium global warming. Looking at the results of the reports, I can imagine that parts of the planet will become uninhabitable, poverty and inequality will increase; involuntary migration; Biodiversity is going to decrease considerably, being a catastrophe for humanity”, stressed the expert.

“Limits were reached”

The IPCC report highlighted that the adaptation limits of some ecosystems and regions have been reached, as well as the negative impact that “maladaptation” has had on them. “This is a term used to describe climate change adaptation strategies that, instead of solving existing problems, create new ones or worsen existing ones,” González explained.

«Seeing the results of the reports, I can imagine that parts of the planet will become uninhabitable, poverty and inequality will increase; involuntary migration; Biodiversity will decrease considerably, being a catastrophe for humanity» – Diego González, researcher at the UC Global Change Center.

The expert stressed that, even if the temperature increase is limited to 1.5°C, it will not be possible to avoid that the components of the climate system change continuously with response time scales of several decades or more. “Sea level rise is inevitable for centuries or millennia due to continued warming of the deep ocean and melting of the ice sheet, which will cause elevated sea levels for thousands of years. If these stay between 2°C and 3°C, the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets will be lost almost irreversibly for several millennia,” he added.

For his part, the director of the UC Cambio Global Center, Sebastián Vicuña, through a publication of the UC Global Change Center websiteopined that “the challenge is great and not enough is being done to reduce GHG emissions, adapt to climate change and face the losses and damages that climate change is generating and will continue to generate.”

Vicuña stressed that it is necessary to consider “how we achieve this sustainable development in this decade, how we contribute to increasing political commitment, inclusive governance, international cooperation, and sharing knowledge to face these challenges.”

“We must continue working on the path of cooperation, generating and sharing knowledge to face these challenges, particularly placing greater concern on the communities that are most vulnerable to climate change,” he concluded.

Access the IPCC Report here.