Jim Skea, the newly appointed head of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), spoke with major German news outlets about the challenges of combatting climate change, DW reports.
In an interview with Der Spiegel, he cautioned against over-emphasizing the 1.5°C target for limiting global warming compared to pre-industrial levels. He advised against despair if temperatures were to surpass this threshold, stating that while it would lead to a more dangerous world with increased problems and social tensions, it would not pose an existential threat to humanity.
Skea, a physics graduate, highlighted the importance of optimism and continued efforts in the battle against climate change. He stressed that every measure taken to weaken climate change helps, and such measures are becoming more cost-effective. In the short term, he recommended expanding renewable electricity to reduce emissions from fossil fuels and internal combustion engine vehicles. For the longer term, he emphasized the need for technological solutions like underground CO2 capture.
However, he acknowledged that changing people's lifestyles could be a challenging aspect. While individual abstinence is good, he argued that new infrastructure is essential for more significant change. For instance, to promote cycling, cycle paths must be available. Skea expressed the desire to adapt the IPCC's approach to provide more targeted advice to specific groups, such as town planners, landowners, and businesses, to effectively combat climate change in real-life situations.
Additionally, Skea intends to focus on the flow of money to address climate change globally, emphasizing that enough money exists but must be directed to the right areas. He believes his tenure as the IPCC chairman will offer opportunities to address these pressing climate challenges effectively.
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