Climate Change 2022: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Released
IPCC Working Group I Contribution: The Physical Science Basis
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which assesses the physical science basis of climate change. The report is the most comprehensive assessment of the climate system and climate change to date, and it provides a clear and up-to-date view of the current state of the science.
Key Findings of the Report
The report finds that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere have occurred, and some of these changes have been unprecedented in thousands of years.
Specific findings include:
- Global surface temperatures have increased by about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era, with the rate of warming increasing over the past few decades.
- The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest decade on record, and the global average temperature in 2020 was about 1.2°C above the pre-industrial era.
- The oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat in the climate system, leading to ocean warming, sea level rise, and changes in ocean chemistry.
- The cryosphere, including glaciers, ice caps, and sea ice, has declined significantly in recent decades.
- The biosphere has also been affected by climate change, with changes observed in plant and animal species distributions, phenology, and ecosystems.
Implications of the Report
The findings of the IPCC report have significant implications for policymakers, businesses, and individuals around the world. The report provides strong evidence that human activities are causing climate change, and it underscores the urgent need to take action to mitigate and adapt to its impacts.
What You Can Do
There are many things you can do to help address climate change. Here are a few ideas:
- Reduce your carbon footprint by making changes to your lifestyle, such as driving less, using less energy, and eating less meat.
- Support renewable energy and other climate-friendly policies.
- Get involved in your community to promote climate action.
By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.
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