Sustainable climate policy is in our interest

The latest IPCC report on climate change should serve as a wake-up call for action, argues Brian Ó Gallachóir

THE latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change focuses on the impacts of climate change. It follows a report published last September on climate change science and precedes the report on climate change mitigation, due within two weeks. Together, these reports are collectively referred to as the Fifth Assessment Report (or IPCC-AR5) and represent the work of more than 830 authors and editors over the past five years. They provide the best summary of our current understanding of climate change, its impacts, and what we need to do about it.

These reports are important. While we have known for some time that climate change is happening, and that we are responsible for it, these reports provide clear insights into the dangers we face and the urgency for action.