Reflection Journal - chapter 10

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Fayetteville State University *

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300

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Geography

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Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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If warming continues uncontrolled, risks will increase. Heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and other extreme events have grown in frequency and intensity much beyond natural variability since the last IPCC assessment on effects and adaptation back in 2014. These dangers have severely harmed ecosystems all around the world, and in some cases, they have caused irreparable losses like the extinction of species. Humans also suffer from worsening food and water insecurity, rising rates of vector, food, and water-borne illnesses, and declining physical and mental health. These climatic threats will undoubtedly get worse if global warming isn't stopped. The consequent loss and harm are amplified by each degree Celsius of global temperature increase. Limitations of adaptation According to the paper, many of the present global climate adaptation strategies are not always successful. There are "soft" and "hard" boundaries. Aside from lowering greenhouse gas emissions, no amount of human involvement can change natural systems because of the severe constraints. You can't just "adapt" to something like the possibility that warm water coral reefs may entirely vanish if ocean temperatures continue to rise. Maladaptation" might worsen the situation The IPCC presents evidence of "maladaptation"—adaptation acts that worsen already-existing societal imbalances and bring unfavorable results—as occurring. An example would be when a sea wall is constructed to safeguard a community from sea level rise but instead stops rainfall from draining, creating floods as a new threat. Maladaptation, which disproportionately impacts marginalized and disadvantaged populations, is very well documented. The IPCC also made a deliberate attempt to include writers from many various disciplines, including some who may not be thought of as typical fields of climate change study, in its most recent report. These authors included philosophers, anthropologists, and others. As a result, a richer picture of the issues was provided by utilizing more qualitative social sciences. Cities provide both opportunities and challenges. More than one billion people live in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to risks like sea level rise, sinking beaches, or flooding during high tides, while 350 million people live in metropolitan areas that confront the possibility of water scarcity. Extreme temperatures brought on by climate change make already existing urban issues like air pollution worse. The IPCC report maps a wide range of alternatives for urban adaptation, but cities are also places of opportunity. Physical barriers to limit floods and increasing sea levels are one of them. Other, more environmentally friendly alternatives include planting trees upstream to slow down excessive river flows and provide homes with shade during heat waves, as well as replanting mangroves to protect towns from coastal flooding. The window of opportunity is rapidly closing. In order to promote "climate resilient development," the new research emphasizes the necessity of coordinating adaptation measures with greenhouse gas emission reductions. This will need sufficient funding, inclusive governance, open decision-making, and the involvement of many different individuals and groups. However, during the next ten years, global warming will reach 1.5°C. The dangers of climate

adaptation failure and socioeconomic inequality are substantially increased by current development plans that speed up greenhouse gas emissions. The research outlines pathways for climate-resilient development that policymakers may follow. All of these minimize climate risks while enhancing lives, particularly for those who are most susceptible to global warming. This is necessary to urgently change our collective direction from 1.5°C of warming and beyond. However, the clock is ticking. 10 Key takeaways from the IPCC reports:  Humans are the cause of the climate crisis  The adverse impacts of climate change are widely visible  Those who have done the least to cause the problem are among the most vulnerable  Adaptation gaps are severe, and adaptation finance provided to developing countries is insufficient  Immediate and deep emission reductions of at least 43% by 2030 can close the gap  Investments into fossil fuels must but be stopped  Mitigation and adaptation can reduce, but not fully avoid, losses and damages  Prioritizing equity and climate justice, including gender justice, is critical for the design of enabling policy frameworks  The world has enough capital to tackle the climate crisis and action is less costly than inaction, but finance to developing countries must be ramped up  Accelerated action is critical The US government has implemented the Clean Power Plan in 2015 to reduce carbon pollution and protect children's health. The government is actively involved in sectors like power, transportation, and agriculture to reduce emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Climate Change Act of 2000 encourages participation from businesses, organizations, and the public. Despite a decrease in Democrats' awareness of climate change, Republicans still see it as a serious concern. The U.S. government began taking global climate policy seriously in 2007, leading to controversial and potentially costly legislative initiatives. This paper predicts that global climate policies will resemble other environmental issues due to public support being broad but shallow. The paper suggests that climate change will be most effectively addressed if environmental goals align with political goals, as policies advance political goals more easily when they distribute rewards.

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