Climate report reinforces Inuit message to the world: Act now before it’s too late

March 22, 2023 – Nuuk, Greenland – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report released Monday reinforces what Inuit have long been saying: Time is running out to deal with climate change.

The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) took part in the final review of the IPCC 6^th Assessment Synthesis Report in Interlaken, Switzerland, last week. ICC is the only Indigenous Peoples Organization with Observer status in the body made up of the world’s leading climate scientists. ICC was involved in the development of parts of the assessment report and reviewed the final summary for policy makers. In Interlaken, ICC pushed for language that included the rights of Indigenous Peoples and inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, among other things.

The report combines the analysis from hundreds of scientists around the world, pointing to dire consequences to the planet if actions are not taken now. The approval session was scheduled to finish last Friday but stretched through the weekend. 

“We commend officials for going into overtime on this report,” said ICC Chair Sara Olsvig. “Now the rest of us around the world must take immediate action. We are well into overtime, if we are to keep global warming below 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”

“As our ICC delegation stated last November at COP27 in Egypt, emissions should be decreasing by now. Emissions will have to be cut almost by half by 2030 if we want to meet the 1.5°C target. As COP28 approaches, we must raise our ambitions on reaching agreements including necessary actions needed to cap global temperature rise.”

The messages in the IPCC’s Synthesis report that we are running out of time to act were underscored by ICC’s interventions at the approval session last week.

“Inuit have been stating for decades that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet. We reiterated these comments last week in Switzerland,” said ICC Vice-Chair Lisa Koperqualuk. “The Arctic is essentially our planet’s cooling system. As the glaciers and ice melt, the consequences are being felt around the world with increased extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and uncontrollable forest fires.”

Temperatures are now about 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, the IPCC reported. A key message in the report is that it may still be possible to avoid the worst ravages that would follow a 1.5°C rise in global temperatures.

ICC will be involved in the discussions about the next assessment report scheduled to begin later this year. It will also take the messages in the 6^th Assessment Report to the next UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, scheduled for the United Arab Emirates beginning in late November this year.

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