"There is now strong interest from governments, not only in the sectoral impacts that climate change could have on food production, poverty, ecosystems, oceans, but also in regional impacts," said Debra Roberts, co-chair of the Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), at the press conference to launch the IPCC meeting that began this Monday at the University of Algarve, in Faro.
This South African expert added that “one of the strengths of the IPCC is to have the opportunity to not only have the eyes of 260 scientists, but, once an assessment of what has been published, bring others to participate and thus have a vision. broader' of the problems.
this meeting in Faro brings 260 specialists from more than six dozen countries to the Ualg Campus of Gambelas. Starting today, January 26th, and until February 1st, the experts will proceed with the elaboration of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The work of the groups is closed and confidential, so not even the journalists have access to what will be happening in this very technical phase. The report itself is expected to be known and publicized in “2021, 2022”, but in the meantime, as Youba Sokona, vice president of the IPCC pointed out at the press conference, comments from anyone can be included.
“The IPCC has 195 member countries. The report is approved line by line by each of these member countries, so policy makers are aware of the process and each draft of the report is also commented on by governments, scientists, and the general public. Anyone on this planet can participate in this IPCC process,” he explained.
As Debra Roberts added, "What society demands of scientists is: help us understand climate change, but more importantly, help us understand what the response options are."
German Hans-Otto Pörtner, also co-chair of IPCC Working Group II, said that since October 2018, when Report 1.5 was published, “it has been a year of intense mobilization for society, especially for the younger generation. They are taking information and building their activism based on scientific information. They are adding an emotional component to it and are very clear in their vision of the future and their demand to live in a sustainable environment». While never citing Greta Thumberg, it was clear that the co-president was (also) referring to the movement started by the young Swedish activist.
Hans-Otto Pörtner added that this kind of combination between society and scientists "is very important to reach many policy makers".
The Brazilian expert Thelma Krugg, vice president of the IPCC, recalled that this Intergovernmental Panel "bases its work on scientific research that has been published" and reaches "governments, non-governmental organizations and the general public".
He stressed that “one of the characteristics of these evaluations is to communicate in simple language the very complex facts that result from scientific research published around the world. And we have achieved it with a very reasonable success».
The previous report, called Report 1.5, was communicated according to three strong and summarized ideas: “Every action matters, every delay matters and every bit of warm-up matters”. They were "very simple messages, but they attracted the attention of the public".
And, considering that there are countries, such as the United States of America, that have even moved away from the goals set at a global level in the Paris Agreement, is it still time to reverse climate change or have we already reached the point of not return?
Thelma Krugg considers that "there is still a window that can be used to minimize the impact of global warming".
Hans-Otto Pörtner recalled that “the message of Report 1.5 is very clear when it says that time for decision making is running out. Every year counts, so ambitious reduction targets are a pre-condition for achieving these goals and minimizing the impact we are already feeling».
Unfortunately, said the German expert, "not all cities, not all countries are on board". Speaking as a European citizen, Pörtner stressed that the "European Commission plans are the most ambitious", perhaps because the Green Deal proposed by the new EC president is "more disconnected from national interests".
“We still live in a world where emissions are growing at a global level and we have a situation where some countries and some unions, like the European Union, must take the lead and show the world that the measures work. The international community will appreciate that the success [of the measures] is demonstrated, in terms of reducing emissions, while still maintaining economic and people's well-being. This leadership role will be crucial», he defended.
Debra Roberts would add: "All our reports point to the critical nature of international cooperation for massive transformation."
Youba Sokona defended, for his part, that “Governments must act, but individuals must also act”. «Every bit of action, every choice is important!».
Regarding the dates that have been brought forward – for example, the need to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 -, co-chair Debra Roberts made a point of clarifying that “the important message about the date of 2030 is not that the world will end in 2030. The message is that if we don't reach the goal of reducing emissions by 45%, it will be increasingly difficult. It will be more and more expensive and difficult, until it reaches the point of being impossible». “These are indicative dates, to give us an idea of the urgency”, he stressed. "We need a response from society, we need everyone to act quickly and now."
"The time for action is now", stressed Thelma Krugg shortly afterwards, at the official opening session of the meetings that will lead to the preparation of the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues | Sul Informação
Comments