“Having an effect on the whole of society”
Halldór Björnsson, chairman of the Scientific Committee introducing the findings of the 4th assessment report from the Scientic Committee this morning at Gróska. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg
The fourth assessment report from the Scientific Committee on Climate Change, which was presented in Gróska this morning, reflects that these changes are being felt throughout society.
This is what Halldór Björnsson, chairman of the Scientific Committee, says.
The report states that climate change has started to change the nature and living conditions of people in Iceland with increasing challenges for the economy, society and nature.
More attention paid to social impact than before
The SCF’s last report on climate change was published in 2018, and the work on this report began in the summer of 2021. It was prepared from more than 100 papers that were held at 11 seminars, where more than 240 people participated.
“The big difference is that this one has a much larger social chapter. There are both economics, social issues, culture, art, ethics, schools, education and such. Then there’s a whole chapter on health, which wasn’t there before,” Björnsson tells a reporter in Gróska after the briefing.
From the meeting this morning. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg
“This reflects, I think, that climate change and the response to it is already having an effect on the whole of society.”
Don’t you worry about the situation?
“I’ve been in this for a very long time, so if I were a man who was full of worry, I would probably have had a stomach ulcer a long time ago,” Björnsson says with a smile.
“However, there are some really big challenges. We need to figure out how to prioritise the actions we’re going to take and how to respond. The way to avoid worrying too much is to focus on the task at hand and just execute it. That’s really been the solution to anxiety,” he added.
Need for a big change in the economy
Björnsson mentions that a huge transformation needs to take place in the economy. The economy needs to be re-equipped with fossil fuels. That is a big issue, which also involves a lot of opportunities.
“This is probably the best business opportunity that people will have to take part in the big transformation that must take place,” he says, referring to both domestic and international markets.
When asked about the work in Iceland to reduce fossil fuel use, he says that it is covered by so-called counter-measures by the government. The Scientific Committee evaluates the state of knowledge on the subject, while a group at the Ministry of the Environment reviews ways to reduce fossil fuels.
In his presentation, Björnsson pointed out some examples of climate change and its effects on nature in Iceland.
- Global warming between 1900 and 2020 is about one degree per century and is higher in winter than summer. The amount of precipitation has increased and there have been several flash floods due to heavy rain, floods and landslides.
- In the last 100 years, the area of glaciers in Iceland has decreased by 19%. If the Paris Agreement is maintained, the glaciers will shrink by 40 to 50%.
- At the turn of the century, the sea rises to above 1.2 metres where the land subsidience is the most. In areas where land rises the most the sea can fall 1.5 metres.
- Increased yields will have a positive impact on agriculture but for the fishing industry the effects of acidification are probably negative. Risk assessment needs to be done for the fishing industry as a whole.
On the table the report can be seen. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg
According to Björnsson, the only way to solve the problem is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Otherwise, it will be necessary to adapt and then to withstand the consequences. For example, to ensure that the challenges of climate change do not increase, the government needs to intervene.
When asked what he would like to highlight from the report, Hall pointed out the following:
“This report confirms, without a doubt, that climate change has started to change the nature and living conditions of people in Iceland with increasing challenges for the economy, society and nature. To ensure that these challenges do not exceed our capacity to deal with it, there is a need for a revolution in the way people live and interact with nature. This is where the government, the economy and policy makers play a key role. Emissions must be reduced as quickly as possible and society adapted to cope with the pressure. Climate change is a challenge for the whole of society and it is necessary to avoid apathy toward the risks.”
Björnsson adds to this himself: “My motto is that there’s nothing to wait for, just start the work right away.”
