WRI Insights

David Waskow discusses the recently released IPCC report. He suggests ways India can address risk and make progress on climate and development. *This article was originally published by [The Financial Chronicle](http://www.mydigitalfc.com/knowledge/global-warning-627).*

The [new report](http://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)—released last night—[reveals several findings](http://www.wri.org/blog/4-takeaways-ipcc-report-reveal-worsening-impacts-climate-change) that decision-makers can keep in mind—both in order to understand current and future climate impacts, as well as develop strategies to help societies become more resilient to them. Here are a few takeaways that can inform the future of climate change adaptation:

The [first installment](https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/docs/WGIAR5_SPM_brochure_en.pdf) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)—released in September—[confirmed](http://www.wri.org/blog/5-major-takeaways-ipcc-report-global-climate-change) the overwhelming scientific consensus that the world is warming, largely due to human activities. The Working Group II (WGII) [report](http://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/), released today, [takes this finding a step further](http://www.wri.org/news/statement-wri-responds-ipcc-report): **Not only is climate change happening, but every continent on earth is now experiencing its impacts.**

In an interview with The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), Manish Bapna examines the steps India is taking toward a more sustainable energy future. He argues that while India has made important progress on renewable energy, low-carbon alternatives, and increased energy efficiency, much of the potential in this area remains unrealized, including opportunities for greater U.S.-India collaboration. This interview was originally published by [The National Bureau of Asian Research](http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=409).

Illegal logging drives deforestation in many countries, robbing national governments and local communities of valuable income and contributing to global biodiversity loss and climate change. Apart from its environmental and economic damage, illegal logging can fuel corruption, and is sometimes linked to organized crime and violent social conflict. A new guide, [*Sourcing Legally Produced Wood: A Guide for Business*](http://www.wri.org/publication/sourcing-legally-produced-wood-guide-businesses), provides four actions companies can take to source legal wood. The guide aims to help companies avoid illicit logging in their supply chains—both for the good of the world’s forests and their own bottom lines.

As California lawmakers move forward with potential solutions to the state’s current water shortage, it’s important to consider the full context of underlying reasons for California’s water vulnerability. Our research shows that about 66 percent of the state’s irrigated agriculture—its biggest water user—faces extremely high levels of baseline water stress. This means that more than 80 percent of the available water supply is already being used by farms, homes, businesses, and energy producers. It’s clear that even without drought, the state would be in trouble.

There’s a lot we can learn about the "carbon budget"—what it is, what the impacts will be if we exceed it, and how we can stay within it. WRI [created a new infographic](http://www.wri.org/ipcc-infographics) to help explain the complexities behind this critically important topic.

The UN has announced that March 21 be recognized as the [International Day of Forests](http://www.fao.org/forestry/international-day-of-forests/en/). In tandem with the celebration of forests worldwide, is an awareness that we are still losing forests and trees much faster than they can regrow. Many people are working to reverse tree cover loss in the world’s largest remaining forests. But several hugely important deforestation hotspots are still flying under the radar. These forest areas are seeing alarming trends and/or have lost much of their tree cover. We are using the latest data from [Global Forest Watch](http://www.globalforestwatch.org/), an online forest monitoring and alert system, to dive deeper into some under-reported deforestation hotspots.

WRI’s [Aqueduct project](http://www.wri.org/our-work/project/aqueduct) recently evaluated, mapped, and scored stresses on water supplies in the 100 river basins with the highest populations, 100 largest river basins, and 180 nations. We found that 18 river basins—flowing through countries with a collective $US 27 trillion in GDP—face “extremely high” levels of baseline water stress. This means that more than 80 percent of the water naturally available to agricultural, domestic, and industrial users is withdrawn annually—leaving businesses, farms, and communities vulnerable to scarcity.

The White House recently unveiled a new Climate Data Initiative. The initiative creates an online hub of government data on climate impacts, providing a detailed look at how a warmer world may impact critical infrastructure like bridges, roads, and canals. The platform provides a key tool for helping those at the frontlines of climate change—local communities.