Earth In Crisis: Hope, With A Stark Warning
New Climate Report Holds Promising News, But We Must Act Now To Minimize Further Damage To Our Planet
By Tracey MacDermott
For the GPHN
On April 4, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change. The document is a roadmap of changes for policy makers.
Previous reports have illustrated the disastrous picture we face without drastic change. This latest report provides a glimmer of hope, but it comes with a stark warning. But we must act now.
“We are at a crossroads,” notes IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “The decisions we make now can secure a livable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming.”
Between 2010 and 2019, the world experienced the highest levels of average annual global greenhouse emissions in all of human history. We already know that we have baked into the future some irreversible losses, however we have the ability now to minimize the damage.
A worldwide focus on the damage from climate change has helped spur climate action. Along with so many countries, cities and towns, the work of our neighborhood is critical in driving meaningful action.
“I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries,” IPCC Chair Lee noted in the report. “There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”
Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to the goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius is unattainable. A key factor in solving this crisis will be creating solutions resulting in economy of scale. Imagine our own neighborhood coming together and entering a bulk solar purchase with options to help low income families. As the cost of solar continues to decrease and is more affordable than electricity provided by fossil fuel, the long term gains for individuals outweigh the upfront costs.
When the IPCC’s last report was released in February, the World Wildlife Fund specifically noted that efforts to integrate nature in cities should be the backbone of future urban development and planning in order to improve resilience to climate impacts. The organization recommended:
1. Nature-based buildings and neighborhoods to integrate nature in the built environment;
2. Vegetation, agriculture and forestry, with native vegetation in public spaces design and urban parks;
3. Living rivers, to provide fresh water, prevent floods, improve wildlife habitats and offer a cooling effect.
These recommendations align with the IPCC’s mitigation plan, which highlights that sustainable development is critical to adaptation. The group specifically notes that networks of parks and open spaces, wetlands and urban agriculture help reduce flood risks and reduce heat-island effects.
Another highlight is the need to lower energy consumption by creating walkable cities, switching to electric vehicles, and enhancing carbon uptake and storage using nature. Land use can provide large-scale emission reductions.
The land where the Park Hill Golf Course sits is a golden opportunity to fulfill this critical recommendation. (Need some more convincing? Check out the story and photos at right for photos and a story about the fox family that just moved in to the open space.) Making climate recommendations a reality will require forward-thinking elected officials who prioritize our children’s future over the monetary gains of a few people with deep pockets.
As Jim Skea, the co-chair of the new IPCC report noted: “Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production. This report shows how taking action now can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.”
Further recommendations include using materials more efficiently, reusing and recycling and minimizing waste. These are some things we can all do in our daily lives, as well as demanding it from our governments and businesses.
In order to meet the need to limit warming we will need to hit peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, and then reduce it by 43 percent by 2030. One of the main focus areas is methane. The stuff that heats our homes needs to be reduced by about a third. We have the power, and we have the tools to begin the transition away from natural gas and coal and convert to solar, electric heat, electric heat pump water heaters and induction stoves.
Yes, a fairer world is possible. However, we need equitable climate action, we need to end corporate greed, and we need to live sustainable lifestyles. The tools are here and people are calling for it, but do we have the political will? I hope so. Our future planet is counting on us.
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large member of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., and immediate past chair. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.