Changes to climate are unprecedented, irreversible, warns UN report

The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday released its crucial report, stating that human activities have modified the environment at an “unprecedented” rate.

The scientists in the committee found that over the next 20 years, the global temperatures are likely to rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius on an average.

The assessment gains significance as extreme weather conditions are being reported from across the globe, including India, where heavy monsoons have triggered floods in many states.

This assessment is considered to be the first major analysis on the science behind climate change since 2013. The report was released ahead of COP26, an important environment summit to be held in Scotland’s Glasgow city in November.

“Today’s IPCC Working Group 1 Report is a code red for humanity,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to the BBC. “If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe. But, as today’s report makes clear, there is no time for delay and no room for excuses. I count on government leaders and all stakeholders to ensure COP26 is a success.”

Monday’s landmark report said that emissions of greenhouse gases because of human activities were responsible for causing approximately 1.1 degree Celsius of warming of the Earth since 1850-1990.

“Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not…

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