Limits of Adaptation – A warning by Scientists at COP27

On 10th November 2022 at COP27, Egypt, the leading experts from around the globe that are from social and natural sciences presented 10 insights regarding climate change from 2021. The key focus of this summit was the limit of humans and other animals to adapt to the unavoidable impacts related to climate change. Impacts include more frequent and severe storms, floods, and drought.

The insights also emphasize the link between climate change and other risks which come with it apart from environmental disasters like pandemics, food crises, conflicts, and other developmental challenges. International networks like World Climate Research Programme, The Earth League, and Future Earth together convened the insights report to cop27.

At the climate summit, UN climate change Executive secretary Simon Stiell said, “Science provides the evidence and data on the impacts of climate change, but it also gives us the tools and knowledge as to how we need to address it. As the Egyptian COP27 Presidency has made very clear, we are now clearly in the era of implementation, and that means action. But none of this can happen without data, without evidence to inform decisions, or the science that supports programs and policies.”

The scientific report observed and identified that the potential of adapting to climate change isn’t limitless. The rise of Sea levels that are capable of submerging whole coastal communities and extremely intolerable heat to the human body are certain examples of the extent of tolerance. It even highlights that more than 3 billion people will be in vulnerability hotspots (the ones with the highest susceptibility of being adversely affected by climate change-driven calamities and hazards by the year 2050, almost double today).

It further says that the constant dependence on fossil fuels aggravates many vulnerabilities, especially for food and energy security. Therefore, swift and deep alleviation to handle climate change drivers is necessary to prevent and reduce future damage and loss.  

Prof. Johan Rockström, co-chair of the Earth League, the Earth Commission, and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said: " As science advances, we have more evidence of massive costs, risks but also global benefits of reduced loss and damage, through an orderly safe landing of the world within the Paris climate range. To succeed requires global collaboration and speed at an unprecedented scale.”

The key topics are covered report:

1.         New threats in the outlook of health and climate interactions.

2.         Questioning on absurd endless adaptation

3.         Clusters of vulnerability hotspots “regions at risk”

4.         Climate security is needed for human security

5.         To meet Climate Targets, sustainable use of land is essential

6.         Action on Climate mobility: from evidence to action

7.         Loss and Damage: Urgency to implement actions

8.         The private sustainable financing is failing in catalyzing transitions

9.         Breaking down unsustainable lock-ins and structural barriers

10.       Proper decision-making to bring about climate-resilient development.  

Web source: https://unfccc.int/news/at-cop27-scientists-warn-against-limits-of-adaptation-0