In 2018 the ‘Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’ (IPCC) published a report all about the predicted climate increase of 1.5°C : what does it mean and why does it matter?

 

The IPCC is a body of climate scientists that works with the United Nations.  In 2018, they published a 680 page report regarding the 1.5°C climate projection.  This blog will provide a brief insight into the report and outline why this particular report matters for anyone working in the energy sector.

 

Climate Change

 

Scientists discovered that between the years of 2006 – 2015, human activity increased global temperatures by 0.87°C (±0.12°C) and they reported that if human activity (i.e. high carbon emissions, deforestation etc.) continued at the current rate, global temperatures would increase by 1.5°C (at least) by 2040.

Changes of 1.5°C/2°C may appear unproblematic to those without a scientific background, but it really does not take much to alter the world’s natural mechanics. Increasing temperatures are directly linked to more severe weather events – droughts, floods, increasing cold and hot periods, desertification, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification and the list goes on.

 

The IPCC Report

 

At 1.5°C 

 

• Temperatures in the mid-latitude are anticipated to warm by up to 3°C and in high latitudes, this will increase by 4.5°C (statistics reported with high confidence)

(In comparison 2°C climate projections evidence 4°C and 6°C increases respectively)

• Of 105,000 species studied, 9 6% of insects, 8% of plants and 4% of vertebrates are projected to lose over half of their climatically determined geographic range for warming of 1.5°C, compared with 18% of insects, 16% of plants and 8% of vertebrates for global warming of 2°C (statistic reported with medium confidence). 
• At 1.5°C, global sea level rise is anticipated to be around 0.1 metre lower than the 2°C limit (statistic reported with medium confidence). 
• Limiting warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C (stated in the Paris Agreement) is projected to reduce the increase in ocean temperature, reduce ocean acidification which will in turn reduce risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries, ecosystems and their services to humans (evidence proposed with high confidence).

 

The Report and the Energy Sector

 

This report is paramount for anyone working in the energy sector since carbon emissions (greenhouse gasses) associated with energy generation is a major contributor to climate change. 

Undoubtedly, the way that we produce energy is needing to change. This means that previously popular methods of energy generation such as coal, oil and natural gas are needed to be phased out or at the least, dramatically reduced.  This therefore leads us to with no better option than to power the world with renewable energy.  Since renewable energy derives from unlimited, natural resources, it produces significant atmospheric carbon savings over its lifetime – thus, a better alternative to dirty fossil fuels. 

It is unsurprising to see that the renewable industry is booming following global concerns regarding the climate. We are seeing companies shift to renewable methods and preparing net-zero initiatives. There really is no better time than now to switch to renewables!

At Huub we know that renewable energy is essential for a resilient future. We utilize low carbon construction methods and ensure to keep our environmental impact as low as possible. This means that we use FSC assured wood, recycled aluminium and plastic and choose construction materials which pose the least environmental harm. This means using low VOC materials and avoiding concrete whenever possible. 

All our modular buildings are future proofed with Solar PV. This means that our clients are set up for the future transition to renewable energy. Solar PV is prerequisite for all our huubs, they reduce your carbon footprint and whilst powering your home and are a great way to get involved with the climate protection movement. 

 

About Huub:

Huub is a Dorset based, British company that constructs modular, timber framed, solar powered garden buildings. Huubs are built in an off-site facility in Dorset and offer a great opportunity to generate solar energy and add additional space to your home at a relatively low cost.

 

For more information about Huub visit our website: 

Email us at: sales@huub.space 

Or phone us on:01305 250429