COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed climate change: UN

What is the news? 

Recently United Nations released report titled United in Science 2021 with the help of WMO, UNEP, WHO, IPCC etc,.  

As per the report, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused only a temporary reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions last year while concentrations of major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continued to increase. 

What are the findings of the report? 

First, Global emissions in the power and industry sectors were at the same level or higher in January-July 2021 than in the same period in 2019. Emissions from road transport remained about five per cent lower. 

Second, Global mean sea levels rose 20 cm from 1900 to 2018. 

Third, Heat-related mortality and work impairment, caused by rising temperatures led to loss in working hours. 

Fourth, High latitude regions and the Sahel are likely to be wetter over 2021–2025, than the recent past. 

Fifth, average global temperature for the past five years was among the highest on record. In the next five years, temperatures might temporarily breach the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era. 

Sixth, the disruption to our climate and our planet have become worse and it is moving faster than predicted. An urgent climate action is needed. 

What are the recommendations? 

Countries need to develop long-term strategies consistent with the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

Net-zero commitments needed to be translated into strong near-term policies and action. 

Source: This post is based on the article “COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed climate change: UN” published in the Down to Earth on 16^th September 2021.