The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a Special Report in October 2018 that warned there were 12 years remaining to make changes needed to keep global warming in check to a maximum increase of 1.5C. Beyond this, even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for people around the world.
You can read the report in the link here or by clicking the image.
The report also found that “significant climate impacts already occur at 1.5˚C but that the risks associated with warming are substantially lower at 1.5˚C than 2˚C.” This is based on analysis written by the World Resources Institute.
The UN IPCC report stated urgent and unprecedented action is needed to reach the target. The report also said that these changes, listed in the report, are “affordable and feasible.” In addition to the changes and targets, the report also highlights clear benefits of limiting global warming to both “people and natural ecosystems.” The benefits would “ensure a more sustainable and equitable society,” IPCC has stated.
The UN IPCC report has included over 6,000 scientific references and was collaboratively prepared by 91 authors including the world’s leading scientists from more than 40 countries.