Understanding the Urgency: Decoding the ‘Code Red’ Climate Change Warning
Understanding the Urgency: Decoding the ‘Code Red’ Climate Change Warning Smart Energy Answers September 13, 2021 Cracking the Code: Understanding the “Code Red” Climate Change Warning Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s widely criticised refusal to commit to a national net zero emissions target by 2050 came amid growing international concern over the “code red” climate change situation. The Prime Minister’s comments followed the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. The IPCC is the United Nations body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change. It is made up of hundreds of international scientists and experts and is widely recognised as one of the world’s most authoritative bodies on climate science. The comprehensive report provided evidence and timelines for reaching a number of critical climate change milestones, leading United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to describe it as “a code red for humanity”. 1.5°C Increase by 2030 The IPCC report shows new evidence that the Earth could be on track to see an average temperature increase of 1.5°C within just 10 years. In 2015, under the Paris Agreement, world governments identified a 1.5°C increase as a key milestone and agreed to try to limit global warming to this point. The IPCC stated that scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system. Many of these changes are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of years. Some changes already set in motion, such as continued sea level rise, are expected to be irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years. The report shows evidence of an average global temperature increase of 1.1°C since 1850 to 1900, caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Averaged over the next two decades, global temperatures are predicted to reach or exceed the 1.5°C warming milestone. “This report is a reality check,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Valérie Masson-Delmotte. She explained that the report gives a much clearer picture of the past, present, and future climate, helping people understand where we are headed, what can be done, and how we can prepare. Act Now Australia is expected to bear a significant share of the impacts of continued climate change, according to evidence and timelines outlined in the report. Coastal areas are expected to see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century. More frequent and severe coastal flooding could impact low-lying regions, resulting in worsening coastal erosion. The report warned that extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century. Bushfires are predicted to worsen and become more frequent, with fire seasons lasting longer, as seen during the devastating 2019 season. More frequent and intense flooding is also expected in certain regions. The report explains that climate change is intensifying the water cycle, bringing more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions. Climate change is also affecting rainfall patterns, with precipitation likely to increase in high latitudes and decrease across large parts of the subtropics. Increased frequency and severity of drought are predicted to impact the east coast and southern parts of Australia, particularly if total warming reaches 2°C. Time for Change While the impact of the report is worrying, there is hope that it can become a catalyst for change nationally and internationally. At a grassroots level, there is more promising news. The Clean Energy Council’s Clean Energy Australia 2021 report highlighted significant growth in the renewable energy sector across Australia. Almost 30% of the country’s electricity generated in 2020 came from renewable sources. If a similar trajectory is maintained, Australia is well on its way to reaching 50% renewable energy in the coming years. The Smart Energy Ambassador Program We have a job to do by 2050, and everyone has a part to play in helping the world transition to renewable energy. Through the Smart Energy Ambassador Program, you can spread the word about renewables and be rewarded for your efforts. Smart Energy Answers is supporting the Smart Energy Ambassador Program with generous cash incentives for both existing and new customers. For existing customers: Refer friends and neighbours to the programme and get rewarded with generous cash incentives. 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