Unpacking the IPCC Report

August 16, 2021

By Emma Brown

Last week, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released it's latest report—the 6th such report since the panel was created in 1988. While the report is sobering, the report's authors make it clear that we are not guaranteed a doomed future as long as we take action now. This post will break down the topline findings of the report, the implications for Massachusetts and the world, and how you can take action. 

Read the report • Report summary • Massachusetts implications • How can I make a difference? 

Thumbnail image credit: Changing by Alisa Singer
"As we witness our planet transforming around us we watch, listen, measure … respond."
www.environmentalgraphiti.org – 2021 Alisa Singer.

What does the report say? 

Topline Findings

  • It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred. 

  • The scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole and the present state of many aspects of the climate system are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years.

  • Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Evidence of observed changes in extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones, and, in particular, their attribution to human influence, has strengthened since the IPCC’s 5th assessment report in 2014.

  • Climate change is already affecting every inhabited region across the globe with human influence contributing to many observed changes in weather and climate extremes

So what?

The report includes five illustrative scenarios that cover the range of possible future development, depending on human interference or action.

  • No matter what actions we take today, the planet is expected to warm to 1.5°C  [over pre-industrial levels] in the next two decades 

    • In the long term (2081-2100), we may see global temperature increases as high as 5.7°C 

  • We will continue to see increases in the frequency and intensity of:

    • hot extremes

    • marine (ocean) heatwaves

    • heavy precipitation

    • agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions

    • intense tropical cyclones 

  • We will also see reductions in Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost

  • Continued warming is projected to further intensify the global water cycle, including its variability, global monsoon precipitation and the severity of wet and dry events

  • Under scenarios with increasing CO2 emissions, the ocean and land carbon sinks are projected to be less effective at slowing the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. 

  • Many changes due to past and future greenhouse gas emissions are irreversible for centuries to millennia, especially changes in the ocean, ice sheets and global sea level 

How are the effects of climate change already showing up?

  • Wildfires have scorched more than 3.6 million acres of the western United States so far this year - last year was the most devastating year for California wildfires, this year was the 2nd worst for California, but worst for the US as a whole. 

  • The heat dome in June killed hundreds of people in the US Pacific Northwest  and Canada and likely killed over a billion marine animals on the Canadian coast alone.

  • Floods in Europe and China devastated entire cities and killed more than 500 people. 

  • The 2020 hurricane season was record-breaking, and the 2021 hurricane season reached five named storms earlier than any previous season on record  

Limiting future climate change 

  • Limiting human-induced global warming to a specific level requires limiting cumulative CO2 emissions, reaching at least net zero CO2 emissions, along with strong reductions in other greenhouse gas emissions. Strong, rapid and sustained reductions in CH4 (methane) emissions would also limit the warming effect resulting from declining aerosol pollution and would improve air quality.

  • Taking drastic action now will lead to discernible effects on climate change over coming decades

    • The reduction of human activity due to COVID-19 resulted in temporary but measurable reductions in air pollution 

What are the implications for Massachusetts?

What’s already happening, and what the future might hold

Just to name a few...

Opportunities for action

There are so many areas where Massachusetts can take action in the fight against climate change. Here are just a few: 

  • The largest portion of Massachusetts' greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector 

    • We must mode shift, or in other words, change the way we move people and goods and ultimately reduce “vehicle miles traveled”

    • We must also increase the fuel efficiency of our current vehicles and shift to vehicles that run on sustainable fuel sources (electric & plug-in hybrid vehicles) 

    • Example - Worcester Framingham Line v. I-90 highway

  • Massachusetts’ Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Clean Energy Standard (CES) must stringently restrict the amount of carbon dioxide that the state emits 

    • Cease building new fossil fuel infrastructure

    • Stop incentivizing new fossil fuel appliances

    • Stop building new buildings powered by fossil fuels - netzero stretch code and base code as quickly as possible

    • Cease energy production through existing fossil fuel infrastructure

    • Increase renewable energy sources, like solar and wind 

  • Cities and towns need to reduce eliminate fossil fuel use for heating

    • Boston’s 86,000 buildings account for over 70% of the city’s total carbon emissions 

    • Other cities and towns like Brookline, Newton, and Arlington  are piloting zoning ordinances to restrict the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in their communities

  • The Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan (RPP) includes a section on climate change response, readiness, and mitigation and planning actions to support renewable energy development, advance Green Community designations, and develop a baseline of greenhouse gas emissions that will help communities better understand opportunities for mitigation. 

Climate change and equity 

Climate change disproportionately affects low income communities and people of color (and COVID-19 has only exacerbated these disparities). Frontline and marginalized communities bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, while contributing the least to the issue. In Massachusetts, here are some examples of what that looks like: 

As we address climate change at the municipal, state, and federal levels, it is imperative that we do not leave our most vulnerable, marginalized communities behind. Our policies and solutions must prioritize and center equity, encompassing race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age, ethnicity, and religion. 

A note on equity beyond Massachusetts 

Centering equity in the fight against climate change means that we must also recognize some truths that may be hard to swallow for some. The reality is, white colonialism has wreaked havoc across the country and across the globe for centuries. In the US in particular:

  • White settlers committed indigenous genocide for decades (if not centuries), erasing entire cultures and histories through forceful eviction and extermination. One result of such actions is the loss of indigenous fire stewardship practices, which often lowered the intensity and resultant severity of subsequent wildlands fires. This is particularly relevant as wildfires become more intense year after year. 

  • The US relationship to fossil fuels, particularly to crude oil, is wreaking havoc across the globe, especially in the Middle East. US foreign policy is deeply tied to oil—dating back to at least 1850—and the US has interjected in foreign conflict time and again in the name of protecting oil. War in Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Israel can all be connected to US and global dependence on oil. 

  • Refugees are on the frontlines of the climate emergency. Many are living in climate "hotspots", where they typically lack the resources to adapt to an increasingly hostile environment. Limited natural resources, such as drinking water, are becoming even scarcer in many parts of the world that host refugees. More severe climate events will only increase refugee populations, and we—as communities, municipalities, cities, states, and as a society—must act to protect and assist those who will bear the brunt of climate disaster. Our strategies to avert the worst of the climate crisis should not put further burden on the already vulnerable.

A few additional resources

But, here’s the thing:

Climate doom and gloom does nothing to resolve the crisis that we’re in. We have every right to be scared, angry, frustrated, upset, and every emotion in between. But we also need to remain hopeful, and we need to take urgent action. 

How can I make a difference?

ORGANIZE

“We can’t do anything alone that’s worth it. Everything that is worthwhile is done with other people.” - Mariame Kaba 

At its core, the fight to protect the planet consists of organized people confronting organized money. Grassroots organizing is about building the power of people to prevail over the power of money—by building relationships one at a time, engaging people from many backgrounds, developing leaders, and engaging increasing numbers of people who together win campaigns. [Sierra Club Movement Organizing Manual, 2016]

Due to his tremendous power as Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, Sierra Club and allies are targeting Rep Neal during this August recess. A huge issue in the fight for climate justice is the proliferation of fossil fuel subsidies, which Neal has the power to end through the End Polluter Welfare Act. 

  • If you’re in his district (MA01), use this tool to send a message now. (If you are not in his district, this tool will send a message to your congressperson, which is okay too!)   

  • If you’re able, attend a rally on August 19 at 11am at Neal’s office to tell him to #SealTheDeal for Climate, Jobs, Care and Justice. 

  • If you can’t make it to Springfield but still want to raise your voice, join a rally at the State House to ensure that all members of Congress will fight for climate solutions, the care economy, jobs, and justice. Learn more and RSVP at  bit.ly/StatehouseAug19 (Note: this is a partner event, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter. Your RSVP information will go to Dayenu, a Jewish climate action group) 

Sierra Club is part of a national effort to hold our elected officials accountable during the August recess, targeting Senators and Representatives all across the US, for two important pieces of federal legislation; democracy reforms and infrastructure. As part of that organizing push, we’re hosting a national training series throughout the month of August with two main asks for activists: (1) host an action party and (2) lobby your member of Congress. 

And speaking of coalitions, some of our coalition partners, Sunrise Movement, Justice Democrats, and People’s Action have launched a tool to call your member of Congress and ask them to pass an infrastructure bill that meets the scale of the climate crisis, creates millions of good, union jobs, and directs money to communities most impacted by the climate and economic crises. (Again, please note that this is a partner-led effort, and any information that you enter here will go to Sunrise, Justice Democrats, and People’s Action). 

All of this National work is extremely important, but it’s also critical that you get involved locally. The Chapter has been working tirelessly on issues ranging from building electrification to advocating for more equitable transit, to plastics and toxics, to forests, to municipal action and research. No matter your interests or skill set, there’s a place for you in our work and we rely on our volunteers to accomplish our goals. 

  • If you’re brand new and want to learn more about the organization and how to get involved, join an upcoming New Volunteer Orientation. Check our Events Calendar to find the next orientation.

  • Whether you’re new or you’ve been around for a while, take a few minutes to check out our volunteer teams, and feel free to reach out to team leads, or any of the Chapter staff, with any questions! 

  • If you’re local to Boston, take action to demand that Mayor Janey and the City Council pass BERDO 2.0, the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance.  

    • Join the Boston Team to learn more and discuss other actions you can take 

  • Join the Chapter’s Climate Research Team to research municipal progress on clean energy and climate issues. The team is: 

    • Building a database of municipal progress, which will (soon) be publicly available

    • Working on a public-facing report and presentation about municipal action in Massachusetts 

    • Identifying opportunities to leverage municipal power for state policy change

  • Join the Chapter’s Community Outreach Team, responsible for person-to-person outreach to Sierra Club members and supporters. They use a variety of tools, including phone calling, peer-to-peer texting, and email blasts. Currently, the team is prioritizing outreach on behalf of Michelle Wu’s campaign in Boston, and will be organizing events to engage voters this fall. 

VOTE 

Voting is one of the best tools we have to make a difference in our communities. Who we elect to hold public office represents our values as a society, so we owe it to ourselves to elect those who most closely align with our shared values and vision for the future. 

In most Massachusetts municipalities with preliminary races, election day is on September 14, 2021. All MA municipalities will hold a general election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. If you aren’t sure who to vote for, check out the Massachusetts Chapter’s 2021 endorsements. 

Once we elect someone into office, we need to hold them accountable—not only to their campaign promises, but also to acting in our collective best interest. So, we organize. And if an elected still ignores their constituents (ahem, Richie Neal), we need to vote them out.