WITH the planet facing the "potentially serious consequences" of global warming, UN experts writing 32 years ago urged an indifferent world to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Planet-warming carbon pollution has increased ever since.
In 1990 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change produced the first trio of reports in a cycle of climate change assessments -- one on the physical science of warming, one on the impacts and one on solutions -- that has repeated roughly every six years.
While the authors of the most recent IPCC report on impacts, released in February this year, can say the evidence of harm to humanity and the entire planet is "unequivocal", the authors of those first reports 30 years ago could not be as forthright.
But they were clear that the risks were so high we couldn't afford to wait.
"The potentially serious consequences of climate change on the global environment," they said "give sufficient reasons to begin by adopting response strategies that can be justified immediately even in the face of such significant uncertainties".
They said cuts to the planet-warming gases that humans were pumping into the atmosphere should be swift and drastic.
"Because climate change could potentially result in significant impacts on the global environment and human activities, it is important to begin considering now what measures might be taken in response," the report said.
There was never an easy answer.
The scientists writing the 1990 report underscored the need to reduce emissions of different gases -- especially carbon dioxide and methane -- across a range of different sectors, from energy generation to agriculture.
"Our understanding has been refined over 40 years, but the alarm has been ringing since the first IPCC report," said Celine Guivarch, one of the authors of the latest IPCC assessment of solutions, set to be published on April 4.
With each new cycle of climate evaluation, the description of risks in the IPCC reports has become ever clearer and more urgent. The forecasts have become increasingly catastrophic.
Meanwhile, emissions have risen almost every year, only breaking their relentless pace because of major economic crises, such as the one triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result, CO2 in the atmosphere has never been higher.
According to data from the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii, which has monitored the atmosphere for decades, C02 concentrations reached 416 parts per million in 2021, up from 354 ppm in 1990 when the first IPCC report was published.
Earth has experienced periods of much higher C02 concentrations in the distant past.
But in its report on the physical science released in August 2021, the IPCC said the rate the gas has increased in the atmosphere since 1900 "is at least 10 times faster than at any other time during the last 800,000 years".
"Current levels of atmospheric CO2 have not been experienced for at least two million years," it added.
ETX Studio
Mon Mar 21 2022
![Three decades ago world told to 'act now' on climate Three decades ago world told to 'act now' on climate](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/71647851167_RioDeJaneiro.jpg)
An Australian NGO member demonstrates in downtown Rio de Janeiro on June 9, 1992. - ETX Studio
![Majlis Mineral Negara setuju cadangan tempoh minimum kelulusan pajakan melombong Majlis Mineral Negara setuju cadangan tempoh minimum kelulusan pajakan melombong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61719933494_TBFadillahYusof.jpg)
Majlis Mineral Negara setuju cadangan tempoh minimum kelulusan pajakan melombong
Cadangan itu merupakan langkah mewujudkan persekitaran industri mineral yang kondusif dan menyokong perkembangan industri.
![Lebih 100 terbunuh dalam rempuhan di Uttar Pradesh, India Lebih 100 terbunuh dalam rempuhan di Uttar Pradesh, India](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719929006_TBIndiastampede.jpg)
Lebih 100 terbunuh dalam rempuhan di Uttar Pradesh, India
Lebih 100 orang dilaporkan terbunuh dan ramai lagi cedera dalam rempuhan semasa satu perhimpunan keagamaan Hindu di negeri Uttar Pradesh.
Tumpuan Rabu – 03 Julai 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
![Kerajaan setuju benarkan PMKS keluarkan e-Invois yang disatukan - Menteri Kewangan II Kerajaan setuju benarkan PMKS keluarkan e-Invois yang disatukan - Menteri Kewangan II](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710161740_TBAMIRHAMZAH.jpg)
Kerajaan setuju benarkan PMKS keluarkan e-Invois yang disatukan - Menteri Kewangan II
Kerajaan bersetuju membenarkan perusahaan mikro, kecil dan sederhana (PMKS) mengeluarkan e-Invois yang disatukan iaitu yang menggabungkan semua urus niaga jualan setiap bulan.
![SPRM nafi Azam Baki terlibat dalam penyebaran tomahan babitkan agensi penguat kuasa SPRM nafi Azam Baki terlibat dalam penyebaran tomahan babitkan agensi penguat kuasa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718268443_AzamBaki.jpg)
SPRM nafi Azam Baki terlibat dalam penyebaran tomahan babitkan agensi penguat kuasa
SPRM menafikan Ketua Pesuruhjaya agensi berkenaan Tan Sri Azam Baki terlibat dalam penyebaran tohmahan membabitkan agensi kerajaan dan media yang tular baru-baru ini.
![Kemasukan matrikulasi: Tidak jejas kuota Bumiputera Kemasukan matrikulasi: Tidak jejas kuota Bumiputera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61719927009_AgendaAWANI.jpg)
Kemasukan matrikulasi: Tidak jejas kuota Bumiputera
Jelas beliau, tindakan yang dibuat di bawah pentadbiran Kerajaan Perpaduan memerlukan keberanian dalam kepimpinan.
![Pensyarah UM dilantik sebagai penasihat kerajaan Timor-Leste Pensyarah UM dilantik sebagai penasihat kerajaan Timor-Leste](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719931819_TBKhooYingHooi.jpg)
Pensyarah UM dilantik sebagai penasihat kerajaan Timor-Leste
Ying Hooi merupakan satu-satunya rakyat Malaysia yang dilantik secara rasmi sebagai Anggota Dewan Penasihat Antarabangsa (IAC).
![Fahmi persembah Warkah Persilaan ke Istiadat Pertabalan Agong kepada Raja Bahrain Fahmi persembah Warkah Persilaan ke Istiadat Pertabalan Agong kepada Raja Bahrain](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61719922608_TBFahmiFadzil.jpg)
Fahmi persembah Warkah Persilaan ke Istiadat Pertabalan Agong kepada Raja Bahrain
Menteri Komunikasi Fahmi Fadzil mempersembahkan Warkah Persilaan ke Istiadat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong ke-17 Sultan Ibrahim kepada Raja Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
![KPK cadang semak semula levi untung luar biasa sawit dalam Belanjawan 2025 - Johari KPK cadang semak semula levi untung luar biasa sawit dalam Belanjawan 2025 - Johari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694504905_JohariGhanibahas.jpg)
KPK cadang semak semula levi untung luar biasa sawit dalam Belanjawan 2025 - Johari
KPK bercadang menyemak semula levi keuntungan luar biasa (WPL) ke atas minyak sawit di negara ini dalam pembentangan Belanjawan 2025, seiring dengan harga semasa komoditi itu.
![Rasuah projek lebuh raya: SPRM tahan dua lagi individu Rasuah projek lebuh raya: SPRM tahan dua lagi individu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61719930946_TBsprm.jpg)
Rasuah projek lebuh raya: SPRM tahan dua lagi individu
Penahanan itu bagi membantu siasatan kes rasuah bernilai lebih RM1 bilion membabitkan projek lebuh raya di Lembah Klang.
![Pukul OKU: Buat aduan kepada IPCC sekiranya ragu siasatan kes - Azalina Pukul OKU: Buat aduan kepada IPCC sekiranya ragu siasatan kes - Azalina](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61716025388_AzalinaOthman.jpg)
Pukul OKU: Buat aduan kepada IPCC sekiranya ragu siasatan kes - Azalina
Mana-mana pihak boleh membuat aduan kepada Suruhanjaya Bebas Tatakelakuan Polis (IPCC) yang diwujudkan untuk melindungi hak rakyat.
![302 pegawai, anggota PDRM dipecat sejak 2022 hingga Februari 2024 302 pegawai, anggota PDRM dipecat sejak 2022 hingga Februari 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710749167_ShamsulAnuarNasara.jpg)
302 pegawai, anggota PDRM dipecat sejak 2022 hingga Februari 2024
Shamsul Anuar Nasarah berkata PDRM tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana pegawai serta anggota yang melanggar peraturan dan undang-undang.
![Zolkopli Dahlan dilantik ketuai IPCC Zolkopli Dahlan dilantik ketuai IPCC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71704889987_KementerianDalamNe.jpg)
Zolkopli Dahlan dilantik ketuai IPCC
Datuk Zolkopli Dahalan hari ini dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Bebas Tatakelakuan Polis (IPCC) yang turut dianggotai empat individu lain.
![IPCC dijangka berfungsi sepenuhnya awal tahun depan IPCC dijangka berfungsi sepenuhnya awal tahun depan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/41698812479_TBNASARAH.jpg)
IPCC dijangka berfungsi sepenuhnya awal tahun depan
Dewan Rakyat diberitahu hari ini bahawa Suruhanjaya Bebas Tatakelakuan Polis (IPCC) dijangka berfungsi sepenuhnya pada awal tahun depan.
![RUU IPCC akan dibentang pada penggal ini RUU IPCC akan dibentang pada penggal ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/81638936343_JonathanYassin.jpg)
RUU IPCC akan dibentang pada penggal ini
KDN memberi jaminan Rang Undang-undang (RUU) Suruhanjaya Bebas Tatakelakuan Polis (IPCC) akan dibawa ke sidang Parlimen pada penggal ini.
![Dua persatuan polis terima baik penubuhan IPCC Dua persatuan polis terima baik penubuhan IPCC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/51633618685_pintumasukpdrmbu.jpg)
Dua persatuan polis terima baik penubuhan IPCC
Dua persatuan polis menerima baik penubuhan IPCC kerana ia juga bakal memberikan fokus kepada aspek kebajikan warga polis.
![Kartel PDRM: Segerakan RUU IPCC, jangan tangguh - Suhakam Kartel PDRM: Segerakan RUU IPCC, jangan tangguh - Suhakam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/61617125536_PDRM.jpg)
Kartel PDRM: Segerakan RUU IPCC, jangan tangguh - Suhakam
Badan itu menzahirkan kebimbangan susulan kenyataan Ketua Polis Negara baru-baru ini yang mendakwa wujudnya rasuah dan salah guna kuasa yang serius dalam kalangan pegawai polis.