The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body of the United Nations that assesses the science related to climate change. It was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The IPCC's mission is to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The IPCC's reports are based on the work of thousands of scientists from around the world. These scientists are experts in a variety of fields, including climate science, meteorology, oceanography, economics, and social sciences. The IPCC's reports are peer-reviewed by other scientists before they are released to the public.
The IPCC has published six comprehensive assessment reports, as well as a number of special reports and methodology reports. The latest assessment report, released in 2022, concluded that it is extremely likely that human activities caused more than half of the observed increase in global mean surface temperature from 1951 to 2010. The report also found that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the planet.
The IPCC's reports have been influential in shaping international climate policy. The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, is based on the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report. The IPCC's reports continue to be an important source of information for policymakers, scientists, and the public as they work to address the challenge of climate change.
Here are some of the key findings of the IPCC's latest assessment report:
The IPCC's report is a stark warning about the dangers of climate change. It is clear that we need to act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the impacts of climate change.