Theres no going back

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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‘There’s no going back’ r1 ... Subscribe to this newsletter The Narwhal's masthead logo BECOME A MEMBER Scientist John Fyfe places his hand on a globe. Photo: Taylor Roades / The Narwhal
Let’s unpack a few terms that have been making the rounds this week, in the wake of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) releasing a landmark report.

“Unequivocal”: the role humans have played in rising global temperatures, per the IPCC.

1.5 degrees: the warming threshold we’re likely on pace to reach between 2030 and 2050, potentially a decade ahead of previous forecasts.

“Irreversible”: the current and expected changes to our planet as a result of greenhouse gas emissions.

In other words: things are … not looking good. But it can be easy to get caught up in the statistics and sound bites without quite grasping just exactly what’s at stake.

With that in mind, reporter Fatima Syed had the chance to sit down with Canadian research scientist John Fyfe, one of 234 experts who contributed to the 3,949-page IPCC report. Here are the Coles Notes:

The best-case scenario: “If we stay below or near below 1.5 C, we’re still going to encounter about a half a metre sea level rise relative to 1900.”

On what’s keeping him up at night: “Somewhere around the middle of the century, there’ll be no ice left in the Arctic in the summertime, and that’s irrespective of what we do in the future.”

On what it means for Canada: “heat waves, drought, heavy rainfall, all of those things are expected to become more severe and frequent. We expect mountain glaciers to recede even more. We expect our sea ices to decline even more.”

On what we should all take away: “I want people to understand just how widespread, rapid, intensifying and unprecedented the changes are that we’re seeing. There’s no going back on some of the changes in the climate system. Even if we stopped emitting carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases, these changes will continue for hundreds to thousands of years.”

But, as Fyfe and other scientists have made clear, all hope is not lost. There is still time to limit the damage.

As we approach what looks to be the start of a federal election campaign, The Narwhal will be keeping a close eye on just exactly what our leaders have done, and plan to do, to protect us and our planet.

Take care and check your voter registration,

Arik Ligeti
Audience engagement editor
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. P.S. There are just a few days left to apply for our new Alberta/Saskatchewan reporter position! Are you the perfect fit or know someone who would be? Read the posting and get those applications in by Sunday, Aug. 15. BECOME A NARWHAL

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When the climate news leaves you no choice but to choose this GIF. Tell your friends that our newsletter is not always filled with doom and gloom. r33

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