One of the consequences of global warming is rising sea levels. Before reading these figures, it should be remembered that these are averages, applied to huge areas of water: the oceans cover almost three quarters of the surface of the globe. The IPCC points out that the average level of the oceans rose by 0.2 meters between 1901 and 2018. Most worryingly, this rise has accelerated since 2016 to 3.7 mm per year, unlike 1 .3 mm per year between 1901 and 1971.
Climate change will push many populations to seek refuge in less vulnerable regions, recalls the IPCC. The report asserts with a high level of certainty that “climate and weather extremes will drive increasing displacement in Africa, Asia and North America”, among others.
We are talking more and more about adapting to climate change, and not just about reducing polluting emissions. But the IPCC warns about this: “Adaptation options that are feasible and effective today will become limited and less effective as global warming increases. In an increasingly hot world, “loss and damage will increase and other human and natural systems will reach their limits of adaptation,” adds the IPCC.
There are benefits to taking concrete and substantial action in the short term, according to the IPCC. Experts point out that rapidly reducing polluting emissions would significantly improve air quality. In several regions of the world, it is particularly harmful to human health. It is also argued that reducing meat consumption, a major source of GHG emissions, would be beneficial to health. Finally, better land use planning would increase active mobility in several regions of the world.