What U.N. scientists say about climate change

STORY: (Antonio Guterres) “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.”

(GFX: What U.N. scientists say about climate change)

The U.N. climate science agency has been carrying out research into global warming for decades.

Here are some key takeaways from the latest reports.

(GFX: HUMANS ARE TO BLAME)

Humans are unequivocally to blame for rising temperatures.

That’s according to the 2021 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC.

"It is indisputable that human activities are causing climate change and making extreme weather events more frequent and severe.”

For the first time, the report's authors called for urgent action to curb methane.

Until now, the IPCC had focused on carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas.

(GFX: PREPARE FOR EXTREME WEATHER)

In February 2022, the U.N. climate panel released another seminal report on how the world should prepare for a warmer world.

It urged countries to adapt to impacts including more frequent heatwaves, stronger storms and higher sea levels.

It also made clear that different regions face different risks.

And millions of people face poverty and food insecurity in the coming years,

as climate change hits crops and water supplies

and threatens to disrupt trade and labor markets.

"We must take bold alternative action today to secure tomorrow. Fafetai Lasi, Tuvalu."

(GFX: INDIVIDUAL ACTION MATTERS)

Another major report highlighted – for the first time – the need for action at the individual level.

Published in April 2022, it called on governments to agree policies to change consumer and transportation habits to encourage less waste.

The scientists also warned that only drastic emissions cuts in the next few decades would prevent warming from spiralling out of control.

It said energy transition to renewable sources and clean-burning fuels is moving too slowly,

and that climate change is threatening economic growth.

(Antonio Guterres) “Some government and business leaders are saying one thing – but doing another. Simply put, they are lying.”