{"id":171570,"date":"2022-03-01T19:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=171570"},"modified":"2022-03-01T19:09:08","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T13:39:08","slug":"the-ipcc-sixth-assessment-report-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-ipcc-sixth-assessment-report-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (Part 2) – Explained, pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
For\u00a07PM Editorial<\/strong>\u00a0Archives click\u00a0HERE <\/a>\u2192<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Introduction<\/h5>\n

The latest report of the <\/span>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been released on 28th February, 2022. It is the second part of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.<\/strong> The report <\/span>has warned of multiple climate change-induced disasters in the next two decades even if strong action is taken to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The report has said the ability of human beings, and natural systems, to cope with the changing climate was already being tested, and further rise in global warming would make it even more difficult to adapt. In this regard strong commitments and their conversion into reality is desired for tackling climate change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n\tForumIAS is now in Hyderabad<\/span>. Click here<\/b><\/a> to know more<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\n
What is the IPCC?<\/h5>\n

It is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations for assessing the science related to climate change. <\/span>It was <\/span>established in 1988 by UNEP and WMO <\/b>(World Meteorological Organization). It provides policymakers with regular scientific assessments related to climate change. India is also a member of IPCC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IPCC itself <\/span>does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data<\/b> or parameters. Instead, thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of IPCC on a voluntary basis. The IPCC is divided into 3 Working Groups (WG) that deal with: (a)<\/strong> Study the science of climate change (WGI); (b)<\/strong> Impacts and Adaptation (WGII); (c)<\/strong> Mitigation (WGIII).<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the IPCC Assessment Report?<\/h5>\n

The Assessment Reports are the <\/span>most comprehensive evaluations<\/b> of the state of the earth\u2019s climate. Hundreds of experts go through every available piece of relevant, published scientific information to prepare a common understanding of the changing climate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first assessment report was released in 1990 and the subsequent editions were released in 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first part of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report was released in August 2021. It was centered around the scientific basis of climate change. <\/span>The second part talks about climate change impacts, risks and vulnerabilities, and adaptation options<\/strong>. <\/span>The third and final part of the report, which will look into the possibilities of reducing emissions<\/strong>, is expected to come out later in the year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read More<\/strong>: IPCC\u2019s Sixth Assessment Report: Findings and Suggestions \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
What are the key findings of the Sixth Assessment Report?<\/h5>\n

Vulnerability Mapping<\/b>: Over 45% of the global population is living in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. <\/span>Observed impacts are concentrated amongst the economically and socially marginalized urban residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Degree of Impact<\/b>: The impacts\u00a0 are more disruptive and more widespread compared to 20 years ago. If the temperature rise crossed the threshold of 1.5\u00b0C from pre-industrial times, then many changes could be <\/span>irreversible<\/b>. <\/span>Infrastructure, including transportation, water, sanitation and energy systems have been compromised by extreme and slow-onset events. This has resulted in economic losses, disruptions of services and impacted the overall well- being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climate change will severely impact food production and food security<\/strong>. Droughts and heatwaves will trigger biodiversity loss, as well as human migration<\/span><\/p>\n

Global sea levels will likely rise 44-76 cm this century if governments meet their current emission-cutting pledges. With faster emission cuts, the increase could be limited to 28-55 cm<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Narrow<\/p>\n

Source: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (WGII)<\/p>\n

The report observes that the window of opportunity to enable climate resilient development is rapidly narrowing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Adaptation efforts<\/b>: The report has recognised that progress is being made to adapt to the new situation, but in most places, it is nowhere close to what is required to be done. It has said the <\/span>gaps in adaptation<\/b> were a result of lack of funds, political commitment<\/strong>, absence of reliable information and a sense of urgency<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Coverage<\/b>: The latest report has, for the first time, made an assessment of <\/span>regional and sectoral impacts of climate change<\/b>. It has included risks to, and vulnerabilities of, mega-cities around the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also for the first time, the IPCC report has looked at<\/span> the health impacts of climate change<\/b>. It has found that climate change is increasing vector-borne and water-borne diseases<\/strong> such as malaria or dengue, particularly in sub-tropical regions of Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasing frequency of extreme weather events like heat waves, flooding and drought, and even air pollution was contributing to under-nutrition, allergic diseases and even mental disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The report has a strong focus on the interactions among the coupled systems viz. climate, ecosystems <\/strong>(including their biodiversity) and human society<\/strong>. These interactions are the basis of emerging risks from climate change, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss and, at the same time, offer opportunities for the future.<\/p>\n

\"Climate<\/p>\n

Source: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (WGII)<\/p>\n

Meeting the objectives of climate resilient development requires society and ecosystems to move over (transition) to a more resilient state. The recognition of climate risks can strengthen adaptation and mitigation actions and transitions that reduce risks. Taking action is enabled by governance, finance, knowledge and capacity building, technology and catalysing conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What are the findings of the report with respect to India?<\/h5>\n

The report identifies <\/span>India as one of the vulnerable hotspots<\/b>, with several regions and important cities facing very high risk of climate disasters such as flooding, sea-level rise and heat-waves<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, Mumbai is at high risk of sea-level rise and flooding<\/strong>, while Ahmedabad faces serious danger of heat-waves<\/strong>. Several cities, including Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Patna and Lucknow<\/strong> are approaching dangerous levels of heat and humidity<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the middle of the century, <\/span>around 35 million people in India could face annual coastal flooding<\/b>, with 45-50 million at risk by the end of the century if emissions are high.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climate change and rising demand would lead to at least 40% of the Indian population living with water scarcity by 2050<\/strong> compared with about 33% now. It is estimated that both the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins will witness increased flooding as a result of climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

The report says that wheat, pulses, coarse and cereal yields could fall almost 9% by 2050<\/strong>. These disruptions to crop production are expected to cause price spikes in India, threatening food affordability, food security and economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct damage is estimated at $24 billion<\/b> if emissions are cut as currently promised, and $36 billion, if the emissions remain high and ice sheets are unstable.<\/span><\/p>\n

At present, <\/span>wet-bulb temperatures in India rarely exceed 31 degrees C<\/b>, with most of the country experiencing maximum wet-bulb temperatures of 25-30 degrees C.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It notes that if emissions are cut, but only by the levels currently promised, many parts of northern and coastal India would reach extremely dangerous wet-bulb temperatures of over 31 degrees C towards the end of the century.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Wet-Bulb Temperature?<\/strong><\/p>\n