10 urgent takeaways for the Caribbean from the UN IPCC’s latest report on climate change.

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Tuesday, April 19, 2022. — The second instalment of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, known as the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), was released in February. The scientific report presents a dire warning of the significant implications of inaction for the globe and the region; noting that even temporarily exceeding global warming of 1.5°C that is anticipated in the next two decades will result in severe effects, some of which will be irreversible.

While the report covers the global impacts, vulnerabilities, and risks of climate change, Chapter 15 was dedicated to addressing small islands in the Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It details that a sense of urgency is prevalent among small islands to combat climate change and adhere to the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The chapter’s Executive Summary cautions: “Small islands present the most urgent need for investment in capacity building and adaptation strategies”. 

Among the team of global science experts contributing to this latest report were Professor Michelle Mycoo and Dr. Aidan Farrell from The UWI, St. Augustine and Dr. Donovan Campbell from The UWI Mona. Professor Michelle Mycoo, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Coordinating Lead Author of the Small Islands Chapter states “The window of opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is shrinking and many impacts may be irreversible unless urgent action is taken at the global and regional scales to stay below 1.5°C. Access to finance and implementation of adaptation measures without constraints are equally important if the Caribbean’s people, ecosystems, cities, human settlements, economies, and culture are to survive climate change impacts”.

Following its analysis of the 10 urgent takeaways for the Caribbean from the first instalment of the IPCC (AR6) report in August 2021, The University of the West Indies Climate Studies Group at Mona (CSGM) has compiled part two, signaling the 10 urgent takeaways for the Caribbean from the February 2022 IPCC report. 

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