25 Key Findings from the 2022 IPCC Report
If we needed yet another reason to be even more convinced that we need to take action on climate change (now!!!), the 2022 IPCC Report has 18 chapters of information that can persuade anyone to take action.
But knowing it can be hard to find the time to sift through the information, we’ve done some sifting ourselves to make it easy for you to understand the report.
Here’s our recap and synopsis of the 26 Key Findings from the 2022 IPCC Report: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability – though we really encourage you to have a look at it yourselves, here!
1. More Frequent & More Extreme Weather Events are Happening
Human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, has caused widespread impacts.
This relates to losses and damages to nature and people, beyond natural climate variability.
Basically – we’re the ones heating the planet and we’re the ones who will suffer these extreme weather events like droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires. These can all be traced back to a warming planet. Not good!
2. Climate Change Disproportionately Effects the Most Vulnerable
Across sectors and regions, the most vulnerable people and systems are bearing the brunt of climate change – worse than others.
The most vulnerable include the poor, indigenous populations, as well as racialized individuals.
Although we will all face the effects of climate change, some parts of the world and some groups will face it unequally.
This calls for a more equitable and holistic approach to climate change solutions. You can learn more about this subject by booking our Intersectional Environmentalism 101 Workshop here.
3. Irreversible Impacts Have Already Happened
Climate extremes have led to irreversible impacts as natural and human systems are pushed beyond their ability to adapt.
Irreversible means we can’t go back.
Irreversible means permanent.
Irreversible means beyond fixing.
Irreversible means unrecoverable.
We cannot bring back ecosystems that have been lost or species that have gone extinct.
Let’s make this clear: we don’t want to have any more irreversible effects of climate change.
4. It Matters Where you Live
Vulnerability of ecosystems and people to climate change differs substantially among and within regions.
This is driven by patterns of intersecting socio-economic development, unsustainable ocean and land use, and inequity.
We live in different regions, that have different governments and ways of doing things. Climate change impacts affect areas in different ways.
5. Almost Half of the World Lives in Highly Vulnerable Areas
A lof people will be affected by climate change – approximately 3.3 to 3.6 billion people out of the 7.753 billion people who live on earth.
That’s roughly 44%. So almost 1 out of every 2 people live in highly vulnerable areas that are susceptible to climate change.
That’s almost the odds of a coin toss: heads or tails.
If you ever thought climate change won’t affect you – think again.
6. Not Just Humans will be Affected - It's Every. Living. Thing.
We’re all affected. And that’s because we’re all connected. A high proportion of species is vulnerable to climate change. The report also says: human and ecosystem vulnerability are interdependent.
In other words:
We’re attached.
We rely on each other.
We’re associated.
We live with the other species on the planet and depend on them.
And we’ll all be affected by climate change….one way or another.
7. Unsustainable Development Patterns are Making Climate Change Worse
Surprise!
The current unsustainable development patterns are increasing the exposure of ecosystems and people to climate hazards. This includes being dependent on fossil fuels, overpopulating cities, uncontrolled urban development, unsustainable energy consumption, and resource depletion.
Of course, we do have the alternatives available, but we need to act quickly to make the transitions. Learn more about renewable energy here.
8. We Must Stay Below 1.5 Degrees Celsius
We must stay below 1.5 Degrees Celsius.
Otherwise, we’re heading for more unavoidable climate hazards that present multiple risks to ecosystems and humans. Scientists report this with very high confidence.
The word MUST means that we are obliged to do this . It expresses necessity. This is not something that should be overlooked or missed.
It’s not if we feel like it or we think we might have to. It’s that we MUST do this. We must stay below 1.5 Degrees Celsius.
9. Acting Now Can Help Substantially Reduce Climate Change Impacts
Actions that take place in the near future that limit global warming to close to 1.5 Degrees Celsius would substantially reduce anticipated losses and damages to climate change in human systems & ecosystems, compared to higher warming levels.
This doesn’t mean that we can eliminate all the issues – but it does mean acting would help.
In other words: we aren’t doomed and it’s not too late, but we need to do something about it now.
10. The Next 2 Decades Are Critical
Beyond 2040, depending on the level of warming, climate change will lead to numerous risks to natural and human systems.
We don’t want this to get worse, so we need to take action – and the next 2 decades are critical.
Let’s start with the current decade.
There’s no time to waste.
11. 127 Key Climate Change Risks have Been Identified
There are 127 key risks that have been identified when it comes to climate change. We won’t go into all 127 of them here, but it is important to note that there aren’t just 1 or 2 risks. There are 127 of them. And that’s a daunting reality.
12. The Hotter it Gets, the Worse it Gets
The magnitude and rate of climate change and associated risks depend strongly on taking action in the near future, including mitigation and adaptation actions.
Every bit the temperature rises, the related damages will get worse.
The hotter it gets, the worse it gets.
And this doesn’t mean 10 degrees or 15 degrees – we’re talking even just marginally warmer could be catastrophic.
13. Climate Change is Becoming Harder to Manage
Climate change impacts and risks are becoming increasingly complex and more difficult to manage.
Multiple climate hazards will occur at the same time.
Multiple events will interact.
This will result in compounding risks across sectors and regions around the world.
If this is starting to sound a lot like the movie “The Day After Tomorrow”, maybe that movie is worth a re-watch…
If you’re looking for hopeful documentaries about the future, find them here.
14. No Doubt that Climate Change Has already Disrupted Human and Natural Systems
It is unequivocal (meaning there is no doubt) that climate change has already disrupted human and natural systems.
Past and current development trends, like past emissions and urban development , have not helped solve the problem but have contributed to it.
There is no doubt that we’ve already been impacted and that systems have been disrupted. Scientists are sure of that. It’s up to us to make sure this disruption doesn’t get worse.
15. Sometimes our response to climate change causes new harms
Responses to climate change result in new impacts & risks. In other words, some solutions can lead to “unintended consequences”. Climate change is often described as a “wicked problem” – for one there are solutions that can create more problems.
16. Safeguarding Biodiversity and Ecosystems is Fundamental
We need to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. The report states that we need to conserve approximately 30% to 50% of Earth’s land, freshwater, and ocean areas.
This means caring for natural areas and doing whatever it takes to ensure they remain in their natural state.
We must safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems as if our lives depended on them – because they do.
17. Societal choices and actions are important
We all need to work together to shift the way we do things. The changes we make today will impact us in the next decade which will determine the extent to which we can become resilient to climate change.
We must work to choose to move toward sustainable lifestyle choices and work together to make changes and take action to shift to a more sustainable and equitable future. Want to learn more about how you can be part of societal choices and actions for the greener good? Click here.
18. Warming Above 1.5 Degrees is very, very bad.
If warming exceeds 1.5 Degrees Celsius in the coming decades or later, then many human and natural systems face additional severe risks.
Some impacts will cause the release of additional greenhouse gas emissions and can lead to more irreversible damages. Remember what we said about irreversible?
Let’s not go there.
19. Global Efforts are Even More Important & Urgent than We Thought
The report showcases that we need worldwide climate-resilient development action.
We must harness the power of global efforts, to work together to advance sustainable development.
Because climate change does not have borders, this is becoming more and more important.
20. Climate Resiliency Begins when Governments, People, and Businesses Work Together
We all have a part to play in making choices that further the sustainability agenda.
International cooperation of governments working together at all levels within communities, including people, educational institutions, science, media, and businesses.
In addition, it is more important now than ever to prioritize ensuring that marginalized groups, like women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and ethnic minorities have a say in fostering a more sustainable future.
The report says that these partnerships are most effective when political leadership is leveraged.
If there is an election coming up in your region, make sure you vote.
21. Political Commitment & Follow Through is Essential for Fighting Climate Change
We need the right policies and instruments that are implemented by our governments around the world. This includes commitments – but more importantly follow-through.
The report states that we need clear goals and priorities, enhanced knowledge on impacts and solutions, access to adequate financial resources, monitoring and evaluation, and inclusive government processes.
As individuals in democratic nations, we elect our governments by voting. We vote in our elected officials and this is immensely important to ensure we are electing individuals who care about the planet and are committed to taking real action.
22. We have the solutions.
There are realistic and effective adaptation options that can reduce the risks to people and nature. These options are feasible.
However, they do require a lot of co-operation across multiple sectors – that is challenging to achieve.
We know how to solve the problem – but we need the solutions to be implemented and executed within regions. This is the hard part.
23. We've made some progress, but not in ways that'll make enough of an impact
Progress in adaptation planning and implementation has been observed across all sectors and regions. This has generated multiple benefits.
However, it is unevenly distributed and reduces the opportunities for transformational adaptation – or systems change – that is needed.
24. Urbanization Needs to be Completely Re-Thought
We need integrated inclusive planning in everyday decision-making about urban infrastructure.
This includes social, ecological, and grey/ physical infrastructures, which can significantly increase the adaptive capacity of rural and urban areas.
Coastal cities also play an important role in becoming resilient to climate change.
The way we live, work, and play in urban areas needs to be re-thought by building with the natural environment and by living in harmony with it – rather than destroying it.
25. We can't become resilient to climate change if greenhouse gas emissions do not rapidly decline -especially below 1.5 Degrees Celsius
This is important – the real biggie.
We must rapidly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that we met the goals set out by climate experts.
All of the findings above were sourced from the IPCC Report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
For a deeper dive, have a look at the full report and its findings at the link below.
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