The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published the synthesis of its sixth report on March 20, 2023. This document is the result of a colossal work carried out since 2015, leading to six reports written by hundreds of researchers from around the world. It is based on the thousands of studies already published on global warming and takes stock of the current state of knowledge on climate change, its consequences and the solutions to be brought.
The main conclusions of the report
Human activities are unequivocally responsible for global warming, say IPCC scientists. Indeed, the average temperature recorded at the Earth’s surface between 2011 and 2020 was 1.1°C higher than that recorded at the end of the 19th century. This increase in temperature is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities.
The dramatic consequences of climate change
The report highlights that climate change represents a vital threat to humanity and the health of the planet. It highlights in particular :
- An increase in extreme weather events
- Rising sea levels
- Disruption of ecosystems
- Impacts on food security and access to drinking water
- Health and social risks
- A rapidly closing window of opportunity
The IPCC insists that there is still a window of opportunity to act to ensure a livable and sustainable future for all, but that window is closing fast. Multiple solutions are already available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure a future on a livable planet.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is calling on all actors to “press the fast-forward button” to implement these solutions.
IPCC recommendations to fight global warming : Act now and on a massive scale
The main message of the report is clear: we must not wait to act against global warming, and efforts must be massive. Current trends are not compatible with the stabilization of global warming, and urgent and ambitious measures are needed to limit the impacts of climate change on the environment and society.
Promoting individual and collective actions
Finally, the report emphasizes the need for each individual and each government to take responsibility for global warming. This includes personal choices, such as reducing meat consumption or using less polluting transport, but also ambitious public policies to encourage the energy and ecological transition.
The new IPCC report is a real call to action to address global warming. It highlights the urgency and scale of the challenges to be met, while reminding us that solutions exist and are within our reach to build a sustainable and liveable future for all.
