The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was released in Incheon, South Korea. The findings of this report show the differences between the impact of a 1.5˚C temperature change in global temperature and a 2˚C change. See the infographic in the article for this crucial comparison.
Read the full article on World Economic Forum: What difference would just half a degree of global warming make?
The impact of half a degree more includes more extreme and higher average temperatures affecting more inhabited areas of the world, increased rate of sea level rising, and higher risks of food shortages. Communities, economies, and ecosystems would be affected in unprecedented ways as well.
Analysis:
The report calls governments to action, as behaviors such as eating habits, commuting, farming, and building need to be changed by 2030 to avoid a global environmental catastrophe. Delays in efforts to cut down carbon emissions are especially disastrous for the economy and the ecosystem.
One of Singapore’s main strategy is to improve industrial energy efficiency to reduce the emissions. A large percentage of emissions are contributed from this sector, and thus investments in solar energy, and carbon taxes are assiduously explored.
While it is important for governments to implement policies to govern behaviour that has impact on the environment, individuals also have a role to play in this large issue. Some may not agree that their individual efforts make a difference, but collectively, they do. Changes such as taking public transport, using energy-efficient appliances, not wasting food, or even eating less meat are recommended steps for individuals to contribute.
Questions for personal analysis:
- What are the different roles of governments, business, and society in the climate action?
- What are the barriers to these actors in carrying out necessary action to fight climate change?
Useful vocabulary:
- “stave off”: to stop something bad from happening, or to keep an unwanted situation or person away, usually temporarily
- “unprecedented”: never done or known before
Picture credits: https://unsplash.com/photos/Xp3BwrdiAh0