The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on the effects of increasing global temperature on February 28th.  The document was co-authored by 270 scientists and climatologists.  Global temperatures are now 2.2 F higher than during pre-industrial times creating changes that are stressing ecosystems.  These include wetlands, rainforest, Polar regions and coral reefs.

The report follows an August 2021 release documenting rising sea levels, severe storms and higher ambient temperatures worldwide.  The report confirms the movement of animals and plant species towards the poles, bleaching of coral reefs, forest fires and thawing of permafrost and drying of peat lands that serve as a carbon dioxide sink.  Ocean warming and acidification are affecting sea fishing and aquaculture and there is evidence that populations are already being displaced creating the potential for conflict.

Assuming that nations comply with the targets established at the 2021 U.N. climate meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, up to three billion of the world’s population could face water scarcity before the turn of the century.  Islands will disappear and food insecurity will expand especially in the Southern Hemisphere.  Approximately one billion people will exposed to flooding and there will be adverse health effects from environmental extremes and the emergence of insect borne diseases.  Up to 100 million of the world population might be forced into poverty during the next two decades.

A report to be released in April will consider the effects of reducing emissions contributing to climate change.  Understanding the effects of global warming and acidification of our oceans will provide a blueprint for corrective action to avert extreme changes that will most certainly degrade the quality of life for our children and grandchildren.

Unfortunately the current situation in Ukraine suggests continued use of fossil fuels with enhanced uncertainty over the safety of nuclear generation of energy in the face of hostile military action. Regrettably a Black Swan event for stabilizing climate change.