In this module you will get information about the present situation, referring to relevant studies and official (global) reports.
Strangely enough, the COVID-19 pandemic had one very positive outcome for our combat against global climate change. With a brief dip in CO2 emissions connected to the various restrictions during that period, we thought that the previous trends can change for the better. Even though a “green pandemic recovery” could have cut around 25 % off the greenhouse emissions predicted in 2030, leading the world close to the 2°C pathway, by now we had to sober up.
Current Status and Trends
From scientific essays through data-based analyses to dystopic scenarios plenty of information is available related to climate change. For evidence-based, authentic information suggested to turn to organizations operating in relevant (or affiliated) research fields or to that are supposed to have access to up-to-date, credible data and information.
E.g. summarization of the 6th Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) aims to introduce the related factual results and effects of the global activities in the field of climate mitigation and adaptation. It concludes that:
+ Adaptation planning and implementation have progressed across all sectors and regions.
+ Policies and laws addressing mitigation have consistently expanded since former Assessment Report
– Despite progress, adaptation gaps exist and will continue to grow at current rates of implementation.
– Hard and soft limits to adaptation have been reached in some ecosystems and regions.
– Maladaptation is happening in some sectors and regions.
– Current global financial flows for climate adaptation are insufficient, especially in developing countries
– Global GHG emissions make it likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century and make it harder to limit warming below 2°C.
For any given future warming level, many climate-related risks are higher than assessed before, and projected long-term impacts are up to multiple times higher than currently observed.
