In the past Sumba Island was renowned for being one of the poorest areas of Indonesia where very few people had access to electricity, now thanks to the efforts of Sulis Setiawati the future is looking bright. Setiawati has been at the heart of a groundbreaking, island-wide initiative to address the energy shortage and boost living conditions by going 100% renewable.
Chief Denise Restoule is the leader of the Dokis First Nation community that has existed in harmony with nature on the banks of the French River in Ontario, Canada for time immemorial. For the benefit of her community and the bountiful ecosphere in northern Canada Restoule has catalyzed the Dokis people around a legacy-oriented project - to construct a small hydro-plant and go 100% renewable.
All change needs a champion. Marjina Begum is that champion. She lives in Kulia village in Khulna District, Bangladesh where was the first person to transform her household to run on 100% renew- able energy and is helping other villagers do the same. By harnessing solar energy Begum has avoided the need to rely on patchy grid connections and inefficient kerosene fuel. As a result of her actions local children can now study at night, improving their educational outcomes, women in the village are increasingly empowered, and security has improved.
This report provides a snapshot of recent scientific literature and new analyses of likely impacts and risks that would be associated with a 4° Celsius warming within this century. It is a rigorous attempt to outline a range of risks, focusing on developing countries and especially the poor. A 4°C world would be one of unprecedented heat waves, severe drought, and major floods in many regions, with serious impacts on ecosystems and associated services. But with action, a 4°C world can be avoided and we can likely hold warming below 2°C.
