Eloy Sanz Pérez
PhD in Chemical Engineering, researcher in the high-performance research group in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.
This IPCC synthesis report reminds us that our greenhouse gas emissions (mainly CO2) are the unequivocal cause of the global warming that has led to global climate change. Today, we are already suffering from its impacts in many areas: extreme temperatures, droughts and floods, physical and mental health, agricultural production, etc. Paradoxically, the least developed countries have contributed the least to these effects, but they are suffering the most.
It is very likely that 1.5°C will be reached in the short term and some of the effects of climate change are already irreversible. It is therefore imperative to develop adaptation strategies, i.e. we must protect our streets, homes and ecosystems against impacts that will be with us forever.
Despite all this, we must be aware that the decisions we take today will determine the magnitude of tomorrow's effects and that it is essential to implement immediate, rapid and ambitious emission reductions. For this, we already have the necessary tools. Those with the greatest potential in each area are solar and wind technologies (energy), the conservation of natural ecosystems and regenerative agriculture (land use), as well as increased efficiency in buildings and transport (infrastructure), not forgetting electrification and changes in our diet.