Katowice, Poland – Scientists have spent the three years
since COP21 refining and reviewing data, observations and studies. And since COP21 in Paris, they’ve learned to
convey their findings in the clear language policymakers can understand, even
preparing a special report directed at policymakers (copy here).
This is the fourth COP I’ve attended. The sense of urgency the scientists are
conveying cannot be understated. They know
what’s happening, they’re scared, and the want policymakers to take steps now
to stop the worst effects of climate change.
Dr. Hoesung Lee heads the vast group of science advisors to
United Nations climate efforts.
“Achieving net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases is necessary,” he told
those gathered at COP24. He also said
that we need to start this rapid reduction quickly. “Every bit of warming
matter. Every year matters. Every choice matters.”
 |
| Dr. Hoesung Lee, leader of UN Science Panel IPCC (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Dr. Elena Manaenkova of the World Meteorological
Organization also advises the climate policymakers. She said the latest findings show that the
hottest four years on record are the past four years (including 2018). She also said that the current average global
warming of about 1 degree centigrade is not uniform throughout the world. The Arctic is warming at a rate of about five
times faster than the rest of the earth and many land areas are also warming
faster than the average.
 |
| Dr. Elena Manaenkova of the World Meteorlogical Association (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Those of us from California know first hand the impacts that
are already here. Our recent fires
destroyed lives, displaces thousands of people from their homes and caused
smoke-related health impacts throughout the state. Last month, my family wore uncomfortable
breathing masks for a time in order to safely go outdoors.
California is clearly not alone. Island nations face special concerns from
sea level rise. Other areas are facing
increased hurricane and storm risk. The
heat, drought, water supply and other impacts California faces are similar to
those faces by similar Mediterranean type climate zones.
There are five Mediterranean climate zones in the world,
including California/northern Baha, Central Peru, southern & southwest
Australia, South Africa Western Cape and the Mediterranean Basin area.
One of the COP24 workshops I attended focused on how to
adjust within these climate zones.
Laurel Hunt of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative
described how her team is working with the policymakers in her region to
develop a sustainability plan to address the direct and indirect impacts of
climate change, including energy, transportation, public health, water and housing. Los Angeles is embarking on an unprecedented
public collaboration process to engage the citizenry in understanding and
developing solutions.
 |
| Laurel Hunt of UCLA and the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Tropical and other vector-borne diseases are on the increase
in Mediterranean climate regions. West
Nile Virus is on the increase in these areas.
Dr. Orna Matzner, a science advisor to the government of Israel
described how a recent outbreak of Leptospirosis could be traced back to public
exposure in rivers and streams. Those
water bodies had an increase in stagnant areas caused by lower water flows and
drought conditions.
 |
| Dr. Olna Matzner, Israel Science Advisor (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Alon Zask of the Israel Ministry for Environmental
Protection described how a future water strategy should rely on a combination
of steps, including pollution prevention, wastewater treatment and
desalination. He said that “In Israel,
sewage is a water source.” He also said
that more than 50% of water used in Israel is now “manufactured” from
desalination facilities. “If we’re
talking about adaptation, this is adaptation.
 |
| Alon Zask of the Israel Ministry for Environmental Protection (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Geoffrey Danker of Sempra Utilities in California described
how they are now addressing both the transition to renewable energy and
adaptation of their infrastructure to current and future climate impacts. They are already protecting low-lying
facilities from sea level rise, addressing fire impacts, and taking other
steps. Together with other utilities,
they evaluate and learn lessons from every extreme weather or fire
disaster. “The really depressing thing
is that every time we get together to evaluate one disaster,” he said, another
new disaster that has come along in the meantime.
 |
| Geoffrey Danker of Sempra Utilities (photo by Michael Paparian) |
Dr. Jordan Harris of Adapt Chile said his country
has faced severe fires and droughts as have other similar Mediterranean
regions. He summed up the situation for
these regions, saying they have become a “climate laboratory” as more and more
climate events affect their country.
 |
| Dr. Jordan Harris of Adapt Chile (Photo by Michael Paparian) |
No comments:
Post a Comment