Sierra Club on IPCC Report: Humanity Cannot Afford to Sleep Through This Wake-up Call

Oakland, CA - Last night, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its major report on the effects climate change is and will have on the world if immediate action is not taken. The report - based on three years of scientific research - projects that catastrophic effects of the climate crisis such as food shortages and droughts could occur by 2040, within the lifetime of much of the world’s population. Furthermore, the vital threshold of 1.5 degrees celsius temperature increase could be breached in just 12 years. Keeping temperature increases under 1.5 degrees celsius could avert the most devastating effects of the climate crisis. The report projects significant sea-level rise, intensified droughts, increasing wildfires, and the spread of disease and poverty could reach an expected cost of $54 trillion, a figure that increases in temperature.

Despite the dire forecast, the report does make clear that a window of opportunity to avoid the worst effects of climate change by dramatically slashing emissions and transitioning the global economy to clean, renewable energy.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

“Humanity cannot afford to sleep through the blaring alarm of this wake-up call. This report is clear: the catastrophic effects of climate change like famine and droughts could shape the world for those of us alive today and for generations to come if we do not act immediately.  Already, the costs of the climate crisis are clear as devastating fires ravage our homes and forests and historically strong superstorms tear apart our communities -- especially the world’s most vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, those who are supposed to lead -- like Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans -- are burying their heads in the sands while the seas are rising, refusing to even acknowledge that there is a problem as they frantically seek to protect the profits of corporate polluters.

“However, there is a path forward. To avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, we must move beyond dirty fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal to an economy powered by 100% clean, renewable energy now. The clean energy solutions that cut the carbon pollution fuelling the climate crisis are available and affordable right now. Visionary leaders and millions of people are organizing to ensure more than half of the nation’s coal plants are retired or retiring, dangerous pipelines are stopped, electric vehicles are deployed, the build-out of dirty gas infrastructure is halted, and more American cities commit to 100% clean energy.

“We are not waiting around for Donald Trump and Congress. Across the country, alliances and partnerships are being built among grassroots activists, frontline communities, visionary elected officials, and concerned people to build an economy powered by 100% clean energy that leaves nobody behind. Together, we will work to support leaders who back those goals and who fight back against corporate polluters. We can achieve this together, because we cannot and will not allow a handful of politicians to threaten the future of humanity.”