Memorandum for the Petitioners | 30 conditions. Climate change will “reduce the populations, vigor, and viability” of many species, especially those with spatially restricted populations, and will increase the extinction risk for many species. Climate change-driven “forest dieback,” which has already been observed in many regions globally, will have potentially significant impacts on climate, biodiversity, water quality, wood production, and livelihoods. The composition of coastal and estuarine ecosystems will be altered by sea level rise, changes in precipitation and river flow, increased water temperatures, and ocean acidification, and this will contribute to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem productivity along coastlines. Climate change is already altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of marine ecosystems, with the shift in distribution of many fish and invertebrates poleward and/or toward deeper, cooler waters, carrying serious implications for marine productivity and food security in tropical areas. Effects on Buildings, Infrastructure, and Services: Climate change “will have profound impacts on a broad spectrum of city functions, infrastructures, and services and will interact with and may exacerbate many existing stresses.” For example, extreme weather events and sea level rise will damage and destroy buildings and infrastructure, particularly on coastlines. Rising temperatures and heavy precipitation will adversely affect critical transportation, water, and electric infrastructure in many areas. Decreases in precipitation and freshwater’ resources will pose a major challenge for the management of water supply, irrigation systems, and hydroelectric dams. Expanding Disease Vectors: Increases in heavy rain and temperature will increase the risk of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, in many parts of the world.*®> (Emphasis supplied) 5.15. In addition to the Assessment Reports, the IPCC also produces Special Reports, which are an assessment on a specific issue.*° As part of the decision to adopt the Paris Agreement, the IPCC was invited to produce in 2018 a Special Report on global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways.*” 5.16. The IPCC accepted the invitation, adding that the Special Report would look at these issues in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. The IPCC Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (“IPCC SR 1.5”) is the first in a series of Special Reports to be produced in the AR6 cycle (to be released in 2021-2022). 85 Joint Summary Amicus Brief, supra note 50, pp. 33-34, citing [PCC 2014 ARS Synthesis Report 86 IPCC Reports, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/, (last accessed on 12 September 2019). 87 IPCC (2014), Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report, supra note 70.