Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental organisation that was established in 1988 as a part of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). It is a global body that aims to bring scientists, policymakers and other people together to discuss climate change and to find solutions. The IPCC's mission is to educate the public about climate change and suggest possible solutions.
The Panel is made up of representatives chosen by governments. These representatives are selected by governments to be scientists in the IPCC meetings. In addition, representatives recruit experts and draft reports. Governments are also able to nominate their own scientists to serve on the Panel. This practice does not necessarily mean that the government endorses a scientist's views.
IPCC's structure includes three working groups that focus on different aspects of climate science. One group works on the physical sciences, and the other two work on adaptation/mitigation. Each group has a Co-Chair. Both Co-Chairs are also members of the IPCC Bureau. They assist the chair with the selection of authors, and in preparing for meetings.
The Working Group I, which is the first, focuses on the physical science and impacts of climate change. Its members include one of world's most respected climate research centres, the Met Office Hadley Centre.
The Working Group II reviews the effects of climate changes on people and their ecosystems and suggests mitigation strategies. It is made up of the Australian Government which manages DFAT Trust Funds and contributes towards IPCC decisions.
The third working group, the Working Group III, examines mitigation options and considers the impacts of climate change on the economic and social dimensions. It is made up of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other organizations.
The IPCC's reports are created by hundreds of scientists around the world in volunteer groups. They assess scientific literature and make recommendations that are based on current research. A comprehensive review of climate change knowledge is the IPCC assessment report. A report can be published in four parts.
The Summary for Policymakers provides a summary from the full IPCC Report. This report is most appealing to journalists as well as the general public. IPCC reports are available to everyone and are reviewed by a variety of experts. The IPCC collaborated with practitioners and communications experts to produce the Fifth Assessment Report.
IPCC held a February 2016 Expert Meeting on Communication. IPCC made many recommendations regarding how to communicate effectively at this meeting. Some of these recommendations were incorporated into the IPCC's outreach activities and the IPCC website.
In September 2019, IPCC issued the Special Report On Ocean and Cryosphere in A Changing Climate. IPCC is preparing for the release of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), a comprehensive review of current climate change knowledge. This report, like previous assessments reports, will be published in sections.
FAQ
How are extreme weather events related to climate change?
Global warming directly links extreme weather events like heat waves, floods. droughts. cyclones. storms. Atmospheric temperatures have increased due to global warming which has affected different weather phenomena on a global scale.
According to climate scientists the average frequency for extreme weather-related events has increased more than twofold since 1980. As the ocean temperature rises, so does the frequency of extreme weather-related disasters. This impacts the normal distribution of storms or hurricanes in different areas across the globe.
Warm water was pushed towards South America by the 2015 El Nino event. This caused rising temperatures to alarming levels. Heavy rains also caused flooding in Peru and Bolivia, causing displacement and property damage. Many places, including Antarctica has recorded its highest temperature ever. This is an indication of a strong correlation between global warming trends & the occurrence/frequency of extreme weather phenomena around the globe.
Another example is Hurricane Irma in 2017. It caused $50 billion economic loss to Florida and other states, as well as Puerto Rico and Cuba. This is yet another proof that climate change is responsible.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), concluded human activities are increasing climate change's severity. This in turn leads to more frequent and severe natural disasters across the globe. Therefore, strong evidence is available regarding our relationship with extreme weather events happening at frequent intervals all around us.
What can be done to ensure a sustainable future, given the climate change challenges?
Sustainability is the ability not only to meet current needs but also to ensure that future generations can meet their needs. Given the growing challenges presented by climate change, it is urgent that we take drastic measures to reduce our dependence upon finite resources. Also, shift to a more sustainable use of them.
To move towards a more sustainable future, it is important for us to reconsider our current models of consumption and production, as well as our dependence on natural resources such as fossil fuels. We must search for new technologies, renewable energies, and systems to reduce harmful emissions, while still meeting our daily requirements.
A holistic approach to sustainability is also essential. This involves considering all aspects of production from materials used, waste management and reuse strategies to energy use in transportation and industry. There are many possible solutions, such as the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydropower; better waste management; increased efficiency of agriculture; improved transport networks; green construction regulations; and sustainable city planning initiatives.
Furthermore, behavioral changes are required amongst individuals across different sectors throughout society for us to accomplish this goal. Education programs are necessary to help people understand the climate change issues and how they can make a positive contribution towards a more sustainable world.
We can only make significant progress in creating sustainable environments for the future by working together with industry leaders, citizens, and governments.
What is the current state of international efforts to address climate change?
The current international climate-change effort is moving forward with unprecedented momentum and unity. Countries around the world are increasingly collaborating on ways to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience against impacts, and invest in renewable energy sources.
The Paris Agreement is an international framework that encourages collective action. It also provides a framework to allow individual countries and regions to set voluntary targets to reduce emissions. In addition, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change provides political guidance as well as piloting new initiatives such carbon market mechanisms.
There are also progresses in certain regions. For example, the European Green Deal, a comprehensive package aimed at recreating Europe’s economy with sustainability at the core, and the African Renewable Energy Initiative, which targets increasing Africa's share in global renewable energy production, is being implemented.
Along with policy changes, action can be observed across all sectors and industries. Cities are actively moving toward sustainable public transport systems. Society as a whole is moving towards more sustainable lifestyles. Companies invent technologies that reduce carbon emissions. Investors are shifting their capital away to renewables.
The OECD committee's wealthy members have adopted common standards in reporting on national actions related to climate change. These are the Common Reporting Frameworks (CFR), also known as the 2021 Guidelines.
These efforts signify a new level of importance for climate action. If we are to meet the Climate goals as set out by science and enshrined into international law, governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders must all continue to build on this momentum.
What are some solutions to climate changes? And how effective do they work?
Climate change has become one of the most urgent issues of our time. It requires government, businesses and citizens to pay attention. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, increased sea levels, and melting polar ice are clear warnings of a disrupted climate system. Numerous solutions have been suggested to deal with this phenomenon. They include technological solutions as well as behavioral changes and geoengineering.
Technological solutions: A wide range of technologies have been used to address climate change. These include renewable energy sources like solar power and wind power that provide reliable sources for clean energy while causing minimal harm to the environment. Electric cars using renewable energy are a great alternative to petrol vehicles. They can reduce urban air pollution significantly. Another technological solution is reforestation projects, which aim to increase carbon sequestration and soil.
Behavioral changes: Small adjustments to existing routines can make big differences in reducing emissions. This will help limit future climate disruption. By purchasing local goods, you can lower emissions related to transport costs and reduce transportation costs. Also, using public or active transport instead of personal cars optimizes the use and reduces cost and air pollution. Additionally, home insulation that is more efficient can reduce dependence on gas boilers for heating your homes and lowers emissions.
Geo-engineering is large-scale intervention in natural systems that are deemed too risky by potential unforeseen consequences. This includes widespread crop failures or depletion of fish populations. However, it is worth investigating because it could be more effective than human behavior at balancing current CO2 levels.
The effectiveness of these solutions is dependent on how much producers will invest in green alternatives. Electric Cars are more costly than petrol versions, but economic incentives favoring these green solutions play an integral role. Incentivizing alternative solution use via policy measures is one step forward. However this requires regulatory bodies willing to engage the players further.
Statistics
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
- The 10 countries with the largest emissions contribute 68 percent. (un.org)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
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How To
How to Support Climate Friendly Policies and Companies
Individuals have many options to support climate-friendly policies. This can include speaking out against non-climate-friendly businesses or politicians, voting for pro-environment candidates, writing letters or emails of encouragement to those who are already taking positive action towards the environment, and signing petitions in favor of policies that encourage and support climate-friendliness. Individuals can also immediately take more practical steps such as switching providers when possible to ones that have a better environmental record or choosing sustainable products over those with higher carbon emissions.
Reducing one's own carbon footprint is an important step in supporting climate-friendly policies and companies. This could be done by changing everyday habits such as not plugging appliances or turning off lights, using public transportation, carpooling or using other means to get around, and using eco-friendly household items such as biodegradable cleaning materials and composting kitchen leftovers.
Investors who are keen to support climate-friendly policies will want to find companies that produce lower carbon emissions before investing. Investors should also examine their portfolios regularly to make sure they are meeting the sustainability standards that they have established. Investors may want to ensure that their investments in Green bonds do not finance projects with any activity which contributes more greenhouse gases into the air than they take away. Investors should be alert to opportunities where funds can be converted towards green business activities like renewable energy alternatives or other initiatives promoting sustainability, such as community-building projects based on green technologies.