The United Nations governing science body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released a report in early August 2021 highlighting the devastating impacts of climate change to come in our near future.
The damning report, compiled by a total of 234 scientists from 66 different countries, gathered countless research and case studies; it ultimately exhibits numerous takeaways on just how negatively climate change will impact the world. Some of the key takeaways were:
The average global temperature is rising fast
The IPCC predicts that without major changes soon, the average global temperature will increase by 1.5° C within the next 20 years. In fact, since 1970, the average global temperature has risen faster in any 50 year period than ever before. The last five years have hottest on record since 1850.
While this might not seem like much, the increased temperature will have a disastrous rippling effect on all life.
Everywhere on Earth is already affected
From the increased wildfires raging across California each year, recent floods in Germany, worsening droughts in Sub-Saharan Africa, the dangerous rising of sea levels across all of Asia, to the Arctic ice caps melting and polar bear habitats being destroyed, every part of the planet is already experiencing the effects of global warming.
The increased global temperature has already proven to be a key factor in more sporadic and intense weather patterns, as well as destruction of ecosystems and Earth’s biodiversity as a whole.
Humans are, without a doubt, the major contributors to rising global temperatures
The evidence clearly shows that one of the biggest reasons for climate change is the increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere, and the overall increased use of fossil fuels.
CO2 levels are the highest they have been in the last 2 million years, and methane levels in particular are the highest they have been in 800,000 years - well above levels deemed ‘safe’ by the IPCC. Methane alone is responsible for almost a quarter of global warming levels, but is largely ignored by governing bodies across the world as CO2 takes the forefront.
We are close to the point of no return
If we don’t urgently and seriously start making changes, we risk irreversible damage to our climate.
The bottom line is that everywhere and everyone on the planet will be affected by climate change - and we already have been. For us at CRU Kafe, our focus on sustainability has never felt more important; bringing you the highest quality, sustainably and ethically sourced Organic coffee, in a way that reduces the impact on our environment much as possible.
It is important, now more than ever, for all of us, individuals and businesses, to start making more informed choices to help avert a complete climate disaster. From opting for more sustainable and Organic options, to reducing, reusing and recycling wherever possible, to limiting one’s own fossil fuel consumption, it’s clear that we all need to make a bigger effort - and that every little bit of that effort does make a difference.
