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Amsterdam, NL - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 report on the Physical basics, which is part of the Sixth Assessment Report, brings together the latest science on what is happening to our climate system and provides a strong warning of where we are going if urgent action is not taken.
Kaisa Kosonen, Senior Political Advisor, Greenpeace Nordic said:
“As governments scramble to reduce emissions, inch by inch, the climate crisis is currently affecting entire communities with forest fires, extreme floods and droughts. The race is on, and the IPCC has just further strengthened the link between carbon emissions and deteriorating climate extremes, meaning that humanity could lose if governments don't dig deeper than their current weak emissions reduction targets for 2030.
“We will not allow this report to be put on hold by further inaction. Instead, we'll take it to court. By strengthening the scientific evidence between human emissions and extreme weather conditions, the IPCC has provided new, powerful tools for everyone everywhere to hold the fossil fuel industries and governments directly responsible for the climate emergency. One only has to watch the recent judicial victory of NGOs against Shell - with video - to see just how powerful IPCC science can be.
“This is a crucial moment for humanity, so we must act like it. Extreme weather events fueled by CO2 pollution are more violent than ever, but at the same time we are making breakthroughs with solutions. With solar and wind power, which is the cheapest way to generate new electricity in most parts of the world, oil-free mobility, and dwindling funding for coal, a world without fossil fuels is becoming possible. This is the time to stand up, be brave, and think big. We all need to accelerate the green transition while ensuring justice and protection for local communities and people who pay the highest costs for climate inaction. "
Greenpeace UK's chief scientist, Dr. Doug Parr said:
“This is not the first generation of world leaders to be warned about the severity of the climate crisis by scientists, but they are the last who can afford to ignore it. The increasing frequency, magnitude and intensity of climate disasters that have burned and flooded many parts of the world in recent months is the result of the inaction of the past. If the world's leaders don't finally respond to these warnings, things will get much, much worse. Boris Johnson's administration should work around the clock to ensure that the Glasgow Summit is a turning point in human efforts to halt catastrophic climate change. We need concrete measures to reduce CO2 emissions as quickly as possible, phasing out fossil fuels, reshaping our food system and delivering more money to the countries hardest hit by the climate crisis. This climate summit is a critical moment for us to stop our progress on the highway into climate hell - Johnson needs to make sure the world seizes the opportunity. "
Li Shuo, Senior Climate Campaigner, Greenpeace East Asia, said:
“The scientific evidence for climate change and its effects is clear. This summer's floods just made it come true for China. There is no reason to shy away from urgent action. Stopping the construction of China's coal-fired power plants will make a major contribution to global climate dynamics. This makes economic sense and is ultimately in China's self-interest. "
The scientific consensus presented in the report increases the pressure on discussions on how to accelerate action by countries in line with the Paris Agreement of 1,5 ° C warming limit - with new and revised commitments from Heads of State and Government for 2030, which expected at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
The report does not address the human impacts of climate change, nor ways to mitigate climate change and its effects, as these issues are covered in the remaining three parts of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, due to be finalized and published next year .
Greenpeace was an official observer for the IPCC and attended the virtual approval meeting of the WG1 report.
Check out our independent briefing Important findings from the IPCC report on the basics of the physical sciences (AR6 WG1)
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Photos: Greenpeace
