The IPCC has issued a dire warning about the consequences of inaction on climate change, with many of the impacts of global warming already "irreversible". But the report authors say there is still a brief window of time to avoid the very worst, and preparing fast could seriously limit the damage. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its Working Group II report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Coordinating lead author of the New Zealand and Australia chapter Dr Judy Lawrence warns New Zealand is at risk of "cascading and compounding" impacts of climate change, through the increased frequency and severity of floods, heatwaves, fires, droughts, and sea level rise. So how can New Zealand prepare and adapt? Kathryn speaks with Dr Judy Lawrence, who is a Climate Change Commissioner, a leading expert on climate change adaptation, and a coordinating lead author for the IPCC.
Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown
