After the IPCC report on mitigation (i.e. how we can tackle climate change) was released in April 2022, there was no shortage of commentary on social media. All sorts of experts filled the newsfeeds. Here’s a few of the best. (Warning – strong language ahead!)
The head of the UN had strong words for world leaders
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a statement condemning government and business leaders for saying one thing, but doing another when it comes to action on climate.
The latest @IPCC_CH report is a litany of broken climate promises.
Some government & business leaders are saying one thing, but doing another.
They are lying.
It is time to stop burning our planet. https://t.co/xzccxqwvhE
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 4, 2022
In case there was any doubt, he outlined exactly who the ‘radicals’ are in the climate debate: (Hint – it’s not activists fighting for their futures)
Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals.
But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.
Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 5, 2022
Scientists and activists helped us break down the latest report
Firstly, there was no shortage of helpful and knowledgeable people getting into the detail of the work – its findings.
Given that this is a really detailed report, penned by thousands of scientists worldwide, really useful summaries wouldn’t fit in just one tweet. Here’s one of the best breakdowns from an IPCC lead author:
Speaking as an @IPCC_CH Lead Author, these are some of the most important new messages from the #climate report out today: (🧵)
1. For the first time we’re seeing evidence of real, sustained decreases in greenhouse gas emissions from some countries.
But take a breath because…
— Sarah Burch (@SarahLynnBurch) April 4, 2022
At this point, you might still be wondering what this report is all about. Here’s a simple breakdown of the roles of the different IPCC working groups, and why this particular working group and report are so important:
For those confused by the different Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports;
IPCC 1 – what fucked it?
IPCC 2 – exactly how fucked is it?
IPCC 3 – how do we unfuck it?
Tomorrow we get IPCC 3 – which is fucking important.
— Solitaire Townsend (@GreenSolitaire) April 3, 2022
Lots of people came through with reminders of who’s most responsible
Posters were pretty clear on describing who was to blame:
Brief summary of the new IPCC report: We know what to do, we know how to do it, it requires taking toys away from the rich, and world leaders aren't doing it.
— Peter Kalmus (@ClimateHuman) April 4, 2022
Some called out governments, who have worked hard to water down the report in negotiations:
When reading the new #IPCC report, keep in mind that science is cautious and this has been watered down by nations in negotiations.
Many seem more focused on giving false hope to those causing the problem rather than telling the blunt truth that would give us a chance to act.— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 4, 2022
There were many reminders that, if governments and corporations do not act now, future reports won’t matter, as we’ll have passed the ‘point of no return’:
When I say this is the IPCC's "final report on how to stop climate change" I mean that if we don't take today's report seriously and follow its recommendations, it won't matter what their next report says in 8 years because we'll have passed the point of no return on climate. https://t.co/nK8ZW3Lu8J
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) April 4, 2022
Boris Johnson’s government received several shoutouts, as news broke that they are considering exploring fracking as an energy security strategy:
Am I reading this right?
The very day after #IPCC says emissions are at their highest level in human history, and we’re on a fast-track to climate disaster – our Govt decides that the answer to our energy crisis is… fracking??
Utterly exasperating https://t.co/T6hefaCW1x
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) April 5, 2022
There was no shortage of ideas and inspiration for how to take action
Scientists, academics and journalists gave us many, many inspiring ideas for what to read or do next – the best antidote to the feeling of hopelessness that bad climate news can bring.
First, a timely reminder that there is a place for everyone in the climate movement:
My message in the face of the recent IPCC report? Whether we are driven by rage or by theory, by creativity or by education, whether we are doctors, activists, authors, musicians, lawyers or mothers, there is a role for everyone in the climate movement.
— Joycelyn Longdon (@climateincolour) April 5, 2022
We can’t afford baby steps from the world’s biggest polluters, we need to push corporations to move faster on climate goals than ever before:
Today's IPCC report is like a 17 chapter indictment of how incrementalism won't save us.
— Alexandria Villaseñor (@AlexandriaV2005) April 4, 2022
There were many messages of hope from activists and scientists alike—we don’t have time for fear, now is the time to act:
Another bitesize Reel to make the IPCC a tiny bit more accessible and to cover some of the solutions in the latest report. Part of a series by activists, amplified by celebrities – https://t.co/FqGQAzp59i #CodeRedActNow 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/QzYaEmH74b
— Tolmeia Gregory (@tolmeia) April 5, 2022
Finally, a poignant reminder that climate doomism will not save us. Collective action will:
The most important take away from this IPCC report is that doomism will not save us, it only drives apathy and holds people back from acting.
But collective action will. Whatever drives you, use that to support & join the climate movement, there is a place for you.
— Dominique Palmer 🌷 (@domipalmer) April 5, 2022
In this piece, we’ve chosen some of the reactions we think readers will find useful, funny or thought-provoking, but views quoted here aren’t necessarily those of Greenpeace.