IPCC environment report demands engineering action 02 April 2014

Yesterday's (1 April 2014) worrying second report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), which speaks of a need for urgent action on emissions to mitigate inescapable global risks, has been broadly welcomed by most in industry but downplayed by the few still in denial.

"Today's IPCC Working Group II's report's conclusion – that the effects of climate change are already occurring on all continents – will raise awareness of the 'pervasive' risks of a changing climate," comments Ricardo-AEA adaptation knowledge leader Lisa Horrocks.

And Dr Colin Brown, director of engineering at the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers), says: "Global warming is a threat to human health, homes, food and water supplies. It is particularly significant that it says that the impact of global warming is now irreversible."

While the report flags that there is much governments, industry and individual can do to respond to the risks, Horrocks believes the world is "currently ill-prepared and they will be difficult to manage with high levels of warming".

Pointing to the report's clarity that future risks depend on the extent of future climate change – and hence our actions now, she adds: "We therefore need to continue our efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as adapting to its impacts."

For her, dealing with risks – which she interprets as "making good decisions now in the face of potential future change" – is what effective adaptation is all about.

"The fact that the experience of impacts is not as predictable in time and space as we would like, reminds us that adaptation is not so much about reaching a particular predetermined outcome, but more about engaging in an ongoing process," she warns.

"The report points out that people, societies and ecosystems are vulnerable around the world but with different vulnerabilities in different places," she continues.

"Understanding these vulnerabilities can help us to prioritise our action and funding. Adaptation is at the very least a natural extension of the disaster risk reduction activities needed to deal with today's extreme weather events."

For Horrocks, that means proactive and flexible long-term planning for sustainability and improved quality of life in the changed climate of the future.

"This has, and will continue to be, the focus of the advice that should be provided to governments in developed and developing countries to shape national adaptation policy and programmes."

For Dr Brown, what matters now is that government and industry around the world not only step up efforts to cut global greenhouse gas emissions, but also "allocate more resources to adapt our infrastructure and communities" to the inevitable changes climate change is set to bring.

"Engineers and scientists are at the very heart of delivering mitigation and adaptation solutions," he observes.

"Big issues like this grab the imagination of young people who will live through the changes. The report is looking for positives, and this is surely one of them.

"This is a golden opportunity to encourage more people to study science technology engineering and maths, so that climate change can be managed, not just endured."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Ricardo-AEA

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