Disaster lies at humanity’s doorstep

A new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report titled "Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis" released on August 9, shows dire consequences for the planet unless we act now. According to it, the Earth's average surface temperature is estimated to hit 1.5 or 1.6 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels around 2030 in all five of the greenhouse gas emissions scenarios—ranging from highly optimistic to reckless. Just three years ago, the IPCC had predicted that such a scenario would arise nearly a decade later. But the new report projects that humans have less time to act than earlier thought.

One of the reasons for this changed projection is the degradation of natural carbon sinks such as forests, soil and oceans that had absorbed around 56 percent of all the carbon dioxide (CO2) that humanity has chucked into the atmosphere since 1960. But these natural allies of ours are showing signs of becoming saturated, which means they might soak up less carbon from the atmosphere in the coming decades.

The estimates are particularly grim for Bangladesh, as the report predicts that the country is likely to face more frequent and intense heavy rainfalls, flooding, and cyclones due to global climate change in future. Moreover, the frequency of category 4 and category 5 cyclones may increase, which could badly affect coastal areas. Last year, Bangladesh suffered its longest and second-worst flood since 1998, and the IPCC report suggests that the likelihood of such a scenario persisting is quite high. The increased frequency and intensity of rainfall that the report forecasts could also pose a massive danger for agriculture and food security in the long run.

According to environmentalists, the frequency of flood and cyclones has already increased in Bangladesh in recent years. And unfortunately, according to the IPCC, most of these impacts are irreversible, and hence cannot be remediated even if greenhouse gas emissions decline dramatically. Along with that, it also said heatwaves and humid heat stress over South Asia in general will increase and be more severe during the 21st century. This illustrates how this issue extends beyond borders and ultimately concerns everyone.

Even though, collectively, humans may not be able to reverse some of the damage that has already been done, the majority of what is to come can still be prevented. But for that, as the report suggests, humanity must act sooner rather than later. Global leaders, as a result of the pressure that has been exerted upon them by people from all continents, have often made lofty promises to address climate change. However, all too often, we have seen them failing to act accordingly. This is where people must stay relentless. Only the general public's persistent pressure can make global leaders stick to their words and address this grave danger that is now at humanity's doorsteps. If our civilisation is to survive, we must not shy away from this great responsibility of protecting our planet and our species—we must face it head-on.