Sadly, the document contains little or no warning on the looming Arctic Methane Monster.
The IPCC does warn that people's emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) must be reduced to avoid dangerous temperature rises.
The IPCC does add that "accounting for warming effects of increases in non-CO2 greenhouse gases, reductions in aerosols, or the release of greenhouse gases from permafrost will also lower the cumulative CO2 emissions for a specific warming target".
Yet, the IPCC fails to warn that huge amounts of methane, contained in sediments under the Arctic Ocean, are ready for release any time.
This lack of warning gives the false impression that the situation could only become dangerous until after decades of further emissions.
Indeed, the IPCC acts as if there was a carbon budget to divide among countries, whereas the reality is that there is a huge carbon debt to our children, while the situation could become catastropic any time soon. It appears that the IPCC has been trying desperately to please those with vested interests in maintaining the status quo.
In reality, the situation calls for comprehensive and effective action, such as proposed at the ClimatePlan blog.
Related
- Just do NOT tell them the moster exists
