The UN’s IPCC issued its 6^th Assessment Report on the physical state of global Climate Change on August 7, 2021, ten years after the prior one.

While there was some doubt 10 years ago, this report declares: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.” More important, the rate of the temperature rise is itself rising. Global surface temperatures are 1.09⁰C higher between 2011 to 2020 compared to 1900, with over 90% of this rise due to human activities.

The rate of sea level rise has increased, as well, to 3.7 mm per year in the last decade, compared to 1.3 mm per year from 1900-1971 and 1.9 mm per year from 1971-2006.

In 2019, atmospheric CO₂ concentrations were higher than at any time in at least 2 million years (high confidence), and concentrations of CH₄ and N₂O were higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years (very high confidence).

The report documents that human-induced Climate Change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region of the world, such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones since the previous report.

The report provides five potential future scenarios and how the world will react. In all cases, global temperatures will rise until at least mid-century. Global warming of 1.5°C to 2°C will be exceeded during this century unless deep reductions in GHGs occur in the coming decades.

The most optimistic scenario (#1) has the world reducing GHG emissions to zero by just after 2050. In that scenario, global temperatures will still rise by about 1.5⁰C by 2050 and 1.6⁰C by 2100. In the most pessimistic scenario (#5), GHG emissions will double from 2015 rates by 2050 and continue to rise from there. Global temperatures are predicted to rise by 2.4⁰C by 2060 and by 4.4⁰C (8⁰F) by 2100. Scientists have already predicted that our planet can only tolerate a rise of only another 1.5⁰C before major effects are felt.

The report projects that further global warming will further intensify the variability of the water cycle, increasing global monsoon precipitation and severity of wet and dry events. Many changes due to past and future increased GHG emissions are irreversible for centuries, especially changes in the ocean, ice sheets and global sea level.

The report clearly states that we have no more time to waste or ponder. Major reductions in CO₂ and other GHG emissions must begin soon and we must get to net zero CO₂ emissions by mid-century or else there may be permanent changes to our sea levels and ocean currents, affecting us for centuries to come.

CCES can help you develop and implement a Climate Change plan to reduce your emissions of GHGs. Contact us today at 914-584-6720.