If you follow the news even a little, you probably saw something today about the new UN IPCC report on climate change.
If you read the details, I’m sending you a virtual hug. I myself am experiencing a potent mixture of grief and rage, which is partly why I’m interrupting our regularly scheduled programming* to point something out that might be helpful (to me as much as you).
Most of the headlines today are missing the most important part.
Here are some of the big ones I’ve seen:
“Climate change: IPCC report is ‘code red for humanity’” (BBC News)
“UN sounds alarm over major ‘irreversible’ climate change” (CBC News)
“‘Code red’: UN scientists warn of worsening global warming” (AP)
“Some Climate Change Effects May Be Irreversible, U.N. Panel Says” (Wall Street Journal)
“U.N. Report Warns Climate Change is ‘Code Red for Humanity’” (NBC News)
And, to be fair, the report does detail how a changing climate is already making wildfires, heatwaves, severe storms, hurricanes, droughts, and floods more common and more severe. It’s already happening, and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better.
So what’s missing from these headlines?
The report — which was written by over 200 scientists — also makes it crystal clear that we still have time to stabilize warming, and even, potentially, reverse some of the warming we’ve already created. They make it clear that what we need are “immediate, rapid, large-scale” efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This is very, very good news.
We CAN still save the future for our children and grandchildren. We can even create a better future, one built on clean energy and the principles of justice, where the air and water are cleaner, warming has stabilized, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It won’t be easy, but it’s far, far from impossible.
So where’s my “Scientists say reducing emissions can prevent the worst climate scenarios” headline? How about “UN report says we can still literally save our species if we act together and agree that dying is not good”…?
As I’ve said before, every incremental step we take toward decarbonization can result in incrementally better outcomes, and the more we decarbonize and the faster we do it, the better off our children and future generations will be. It’s simple.
That said, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed by this news. It’s okay to cry or rage or process in whatever way works for you. (My processing looks a lot like sharing a hot bowl of vegetarian phở with my three-year-old and watching episodes of “Puffin Rock” on Netflix. Don’t judge me.)
But then we have to get back up and get to work pressuring our leaders to take “immediate, rapid, and large-scale” action.
Because, honestly — what choice do we have? The stakes are too high.
Sincerely,
Jessica
*I know I’d promised I’d spend the next issue of the Climate Conscious Parent talking about what it will take to create widespread change. And I will still talk about this — in the next issue. Promise.