The New Climate Report Highlights Resistant Development
This ongoing series will explore the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on climate change and how it impacts the Atlanta region, City of Atlanta and Buckhead.
Last year at this time, the United Nations released sobering news pertaining to the status of our planet and the uphill battle to reverse climate change. On Monday, the IPCC released the AR6 Synthesis Report the final portion of the Panel’s Sixth Assessment. While still emphasizing immediate and assertive action is imperative, the report clearly demonstrates it is possible to obtain the 1.5-degree growth limit ceiling.
Specificity is key in cutting emissions in half by the end of the decade. With the help of this year’s Global Stocktake, countries and other stakeholders can see where they are collectively making progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement – and where they’re not. Identifying the gaps and working together will be critical in achieving the goals set for 2030. The IPCC has given a clear rubric with multiple effective mitigation and adaptation options available to reduce GHG emissions and acclimate to human caused climate change. While financing will need to be increased by 3 to 6 times the current amount, there is enough global financing to rapidly reduce emissions.
Active measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas will be pivotal. The Human Settlement Fact Sheet highlights the importance of cities and settlements working toward widespread transformational alteration. The report states between 2015 and 2020, urban populations grew by more than 397 million people. The growth presents a window of opportunity for urban modification and climate resilient development. Upgrading and redesigning existing urban areas with a mix of nature-based sociocultural interventions is feasible and sustainable.
“Our assessment clearly shows that tackling all these different challenges involves everyone – governments, the private sector, civil society – working together to prioritize risk reduction, as well as equity and justice, in decision-making and investment,” said IPCC Working Group II Co-Chair Debra Roberts. Political commitment, inclusive governance, international cooperation, sharing diverse knowledge, and effective ecosystem stewardship are all enablers for effective climate action. The City of Atlanta’s Climate Action Plan highlights the reduction of commercial and residential buildings energy consumption 40% by 2030, as well as a 40% reduction of GHG emissions produced by transportation. Buckhead’s Strategic Sustainability Action Plan integrates eight key areas of focus strategies at the local level while contributing to global efforts.
Resilience is the key. Climate change anxiety and exhaustion are real. Recognizing some can contribute to change more than others can help minimize burn out. Sharing benefits and burdens, welcoming psychological trust, recognizing where we are in the fight, engaging with people you wouldn’t normally, and connecting with nature are ways to find support and refresh positivity with the subject. Reducing your carbon footprint may seem small but when done in unison with many others globally can make a substantial impact. The release of the new report may seem bleak and scary but, we have more scientific information than ever, leading us to many different levels and innovative solutions to reach our goal.
Teresa Perkins is a climate change and sustainability journalist, who is creating research-based climate change content pertaining to sustainable energy at local, national, and global level for publication and distribution. She partners with non-profit organizations for innovative ideas and sustainability projects and connects global UN Climate Change reports to local initiatives.
