Climate change, the UN’s warning: a change of direction by 2050
According to the UN, the issue of climate change is more apparent and more urgent than ever before. The time available for taking adequate counter-measures is starting to run out and if human behaviour, based on the frenetic consumption of resources, does not change course immediately, the consequences will be catastrophic, to say the least.
The Earth has suffered the negative effects of global warming for many years now; previously however, it was thought that most of the damage to the natural environment, mankind and the economy would take place towards the end of the current century. Now, scientists predict that the situation will degenerate by the year 2050, meaning that the children and grandchildren of current generations will have to face a serious of devastating events.
A report on the irreversible impacts
UN scientists are working on a document which will provide a list of irreversible impacts caused by climate change and global warming in particular.
The 4000-page report will include detailed forecasts of the likely scenario if the objective of maintaining the global warming threshold below +1.5 °C (compared to pre-industrial values) is not achieved.
Exceeding this figure, which was established at the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, would have truly devastating consequences:
- A +2°C rise in temperatures, for example, would mean that 420 million people would have to face extreme and potentially lethal heatwaves;
- Periods of drought would become more frequent, including in urban areas and 350 million people would face water shortages;
- The loss of entire harvests could lead to famine, potentially resulting in 80 million deaths from starvation;
Furthermore, with the passing of time, other phenomena could emerge, including a significant impact on the biodiversity of flora and fauna, exceptional weather events capable of causing large numbers of victims and global economic crises which it will be impossible to resolve.
The repercussions of the failure to reach this objective today, can already be seen in Italy, where the agricultural sector is one of the worst-affected by climate issues, with over 14 billion euros lost in the last 10 years, due to drought and flooding. If decisive action is not taken immediately, the uncontrolled effects of this crazy climate will continue to get worse.
The report suggests that the more global warming exceeds the critical threshold, the sooner these predicted events will take place. According to some researchers, it is already too late to take counter-measures to avoid this, while others believe that there is still hope of containing the situation.
The UN scientists’ warning on climate change
The report by UN scientists has been presented to the 195 countries of the United Nations, for revision and approval by their governments. It will be published by February 2022 and is designed to help member states organise counter-measures aimed at keeping levels of temperature increase under control.
There are four conclusions in the report, but the most significant one points out that even at the current level of a +1.1°C rise in the average global temperature, the consequences of human activity are tangible. Reaching +1.5°C would lead to the extinction of many animal species, as is already happening, for example in the case of coral reefs.
The UN researchers’ warning regarding tackling ongoing climate change says that everyone must work together. If we are to have any hope of dealing with the catastrophic events forecast, states, regions, cities and individuals must all play their part. People must therefore substitute their old attitudes with a new approach, requiring drastic changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns among the entire human race.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
