Main image via The Star

The temperature of Malaysia’s cities has increased up to 6.7 degrees Celsius over the last 20 years. Aside from that, Malaysia has also been hit with massive floods and landslides that have caused many casualties. 

There are many factors that contribute to what has been going on but in the end, it all leads back to climate change. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published a new report on the 9th of August. The report summarised the latest authoritative scientific information about global warming. 

According to Dr Friederike Otto from the University of Oxford, climate change is not a problem of the future. He stated that it’s happening now and affecting every region in the world. 
 
Here are five highlights from the IPCC 2021 report:
 

#1 Every region on Earth is affected. 

Warming over land is larger than the global average and it is more than twice the average in the Arctic. According to the report, global warming will keep increasing1.5°C in the coming decades. Hence, there will be more heartwaves, longer warm seasons. If that figure reaches 2°C, our agriculture and health will be affected. 

#2 More than just rising temperatures 

Climate change has also significantly affected the global patterns of rain, wind and snow. More intense rainfall and flooding will occur, as well as more severe periods of drought. 

The melting of glaciers due to the rising temperature, will soon see the loss of seasonal snow covers and Arctic sea ice. Hence, extreme sea-level events could happen every year by the end of this century. 

# 3 Current measures are not enough

The report shared that new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decade, finds that unless there are immediate and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.

According to the report, climate change is caused by human activities. Hence we must act now! 
Significant and sustained reductions in the emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases could limit climate change, the report states. 

Associate Professor Shayne McGregor, from the School of Earth, said that every small increase in warming leads to greater impacts. Near-global increases in heat and rainfall extremes are the consequences of human impacts. 

What can Malaysians do?

Malaysians can take action and contribute to climate action which include, changing lifestyles, volunteering in environmental organisations, spreading awareness and so much more!

Environmental activist and member of the Malaysian Youth Delegation, Aidil Iman Aidid took to Twitter to share with fellow Malaysians on how to help.

the latest IPCC report on climate change can be scary. but it’s important to not be defeated. the earth is our responsibility.

i’ve listed how some of the ways malaysians can personally contribute to climate action. what you do today, makes a difference tomorrow! (1/2) pic.twitter.com/q6SSpPWvR2

— freyr (@notsoaidil) August 11, 2021

Main info via JUICE