The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Life

Here are the big takeaways from the @IPCC_CH Synthesis Report released today.

First, climate change has already caused widespread and substantial losses to almost every aspect of human life on this planet, and the impacts on future generations depend on the choices we make NOW. pic.twitter.com/Bgfl9nna8a

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Second, every bit of warming matters. The warmer the planet gets, the more widespread and pronounced the changes in both average climate and climate and weather extremes become. pic.twitter.com/CoFGV77yGa

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Third, the impacts are very serious: they directly affect our health, our food sources, our water and more. pic.twitter.com/v9MleGDuTl

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Fourth, the percentage of animal species exposed to potentially dangerous conditions increases significantly the faster the world warms. In general, ocean species like coral and tropical species are most at risk. pic.twitter.com/4Rn1nNmDno

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

The "burning embers" diagram originally conceptualized by Steve Schneider and others so long ago has been updated to show even higher risks at lower temperature thresholds. To be honest, not unexpected. The "experiment" we're conducting with our planet is unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/epJPVL6RjT

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

So given this dire news, surely we are well on our way to cutting our carbon emissions, no?

No.

The synthesis report is crystal clear: we are not doing nearly enough to avoid dangerous impacts, let alone achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement. pic.twitter.com/Z4OcpqML3N

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Our choices matter and the faster we act, the better off we will all be - all of us who call this planet home. pic.twitter.com/VIpQtqRdB7

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Finally, so many of the solutions are (a) already available today, and (b) benefit us in so many ways -- addressing health, equity, justice, and even economic concerns while increasing resilience and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. pic.twitter.com/I4wrYOs45U

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

Climate change stands between us and a better future. Many of the solutions are already at hand. At this point, the only question is: what are we waiting for? pic.twitter.com/14QdW7t71E

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023

* For individuals, the answer is often "because I don't know what to do." So that's why I gave this TED talk, helped design this tool, and wrote this book. Check them out!
1/ https://t.co/9LBuSC6a36
2/ https://t.co/xMuKsNIkWH
3/ https://t.co/N0oLSSD7l1

— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) March 20, 2023