The recent Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) Report is the most comprehensive climate report ever released - produced by the world’s most authoritative body on climate science. It details the current climate crisis and what our future might look like, compiled from research by scientists across the globe. 

Here is a summary of the IPCC report’s most important points:

• If we continue as we are, by 2030 global warming will have increased to 1.5°C above the normal temperature.
• Climate change is definitely caused by human activities and having disastrous impacts. Climate change is no longer speculation.
• Rare extreme events cease to be rare, and will be much more extreme, often paired with another extreme event.
• Every fraction of a degree matters. There is a huge difference between if temperatures rise by 1.5 or 2 degrees and everything beyond.
• Extreme temperature events currently occur almost five times as often as they have done historically. 
• Everywhere on Earth is being impacted by climate change, and the effects will continue to increase.

So, what does this mean for Australia?

• Increased intensity, frequency and duration of fire weather events
• Increased numbers of severe storms
• For Southern Australia (where we are), decreased rainfall and therefore increased droughts

Although there is only a very low chance that global temperature will not rise to more than 1.5° C by the end of the century, it is still possible if changes are made right now. Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided, every push for cleaner air and water will reduce the number of people and areas impacted.

Social scientists have discovered that once one person makes a sustainability-oriented decision, other people will follow suit. You can make a difference!

Sarah and Anna
(Year 10)