Due to recent changes in climate, not only fires but also many new phenomena are emerging. Accordingly, on February 28, 2022, the announcement that crop production will decrease due to global warming, which will increase food instability, came from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. This included the finding that hundreds of millions of people would suffer water shortages and infectious diseases in the future. The published report focused on two primary problems as follows.

To begin with, said the report warned that if the Earth's temperature rises 1.5 degrees in the second half of this century, 3.14% of land dwelling ecosystem species will be at risk of extinction and 350 million cities will suffer from water shortages. With the emergence of abnormal climates, said the report noted that half of the world's species have actually moved their habitats to higher altitudes. 

The second major issue was the prospect that climate change could directly threaten human health. Scientists predict that 1.6 billion to 2.6 billion people will be exposed to infectious diseases or sickness in the second half of the Urban Century. In particular, the report states that prolonged summers around the world, will lead to mosquito-related infectious diseases spreading widely in Africa, revealing their seriousness. In addition, if social development is slowed and greenhouse gases are not reduced, 700 million people will suffer extreme poverty. 

Regarding the two problems mentioned above, the report surprisingly came to an unexpected conclusion. It emphasized the need to 'adapt' as well as find solutions to the threats posed by climate change. The report states that preparation for inevitable disasters brought on by climate change is necessary. 

Overall, the report emphasized the need to prepare flexible plans involving various subjects and to establish and implement integrated plans to avoid negative consequences for the environment. Furthermore, the report is expected to be used as a basis for environmental discussions by the international community, including at the 27th UN Climate Change Convention in Egypt in November.

L.L.F reporter Min-seo Kim