The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its special report today highlighting the urgency of prioritising action to address unprecedented and enduring changes in the ocean and cryosphere.
Reacting after the publication of the Special Report, the co-chairs of the European Green Party Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said:
“As the report makes clear, it is now undisputed that we are at a pivotal time for our species and planet. If we do not act now to drastically slash greenhouse gases we risk devastating consequences, including extreme sea level events and the accelerated melting of permafrost that could release even more dangerous gases into the atmosphere.
“People are turning out in unprecedented numbers across the globe to call for urgent climate action. Setting mid-century targets to become carbon neutral alone is not enough. As Greens, we hear their concerns and will continue to push the boundaries of the politically possible ahead of the crucial COP25 summit later this year."
Background: The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, was approved on 24 September 2019 by the 195 IPCC member governments. It provides new evidence of the benefits of limiting global warming to the lowest possible level – in line with the goal that governments set themselves in the 2015 Paris Agreement. In order to compile the report, over 100 authors from 36 countries assessed the latest scientific literature related to the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate, referencing about 7,000 scientific publications.
