A new climate change report painted a bleak picture if greenhouse gas emissions don't reach net zero soon. (Markus Spiski / Pexels)

A highly anticipated report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states in the plainest terms yet that the window of opportunity to avert disaster is narrow, and closing.

A United Nations report warns catastrophic consequences from global warming could come as early as 2040. Local scientists share their perspectives.