Introduction:
The IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report SPM, released in August 2021, provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge on climate change and its impacts. It highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and policy in driving the necessary changes. In this blog post, we will dive deeper into some of the key claims made in the report and provide relevant links to further reading.
Claim 1
The climate is already changing, and the evidence is unequivocal. The report confirms that the evidence of climate change is clear and the planet has already warmed by 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This warming is causing a range of impacts, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, heavy rainfall events, and sea level rise. The claim is supported by numerous studies, including the IPCC AR6 Working Group I report on the physical science basis of climate change.
Further reading:
IPCC AR6 Working Group I report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
NASA Global Climate Change: Evidence: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
Claim 2
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are the main cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. The report states that it is extremely likely that human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases, have been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. This claim is based on a robust body of evidence from multiple lines of research, including studies of the Earth’s energy budget, isotopic analysis of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and computer simulations of the climate.
Further reading:
IPCC AR6 Working Group I report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ Carbon Brief: How do we know humans are causing climate change? https://www.carbonbrief.org/how-do-we-know-were-causing-climate-change
Claim 3
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels is still possible, but it will require rapid, deep, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The report states that limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre- industrial levels is still technically feasible but will require significant efforts to reduce emissions. This includes a shift to low-carbon energy sources, such as wind and solar power, as well as changes in land use, transportation, and building design.
Further reading:
IPCC AR6 Working Group III report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/
Climate Action Tracker: https://climateactiontracker.org/global/temperatures/
Claim 4
The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, and they are likely to become more severe and widespread in the coming decades. The report confirms that climate change is already affecting many natural and human systems, including ecosystems, food systems, water resources, and human health. The report also notes that many of these impacts are projected to become more severe and widespread in the coming decades, particularly if global warming exceeds 1.5°C.
Further reading:
IPCC AR6 Working Group II report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
The Guardian: Climate crisis: 2020 was joint hottest year ever recorded, says Nasa: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/14/climate-crisis- 2020-joint-hottest-year-ever-recorded-says-nasa
Claim 5
International cooperation and action are essential to address climate change, and policy can play a key role in driving the necessary changes. The report confirms the importance of international cooperation and policy action to address climate change. The report emphasizes the need to strengthen the Paris Agreement and promote the adoption of more ambitious climate targets. Policy can play a key role in driving the necessary changes, by creating incentives for emissions reductions, supporting research and development of low-carbon technologies, and promoting international cooperation and action.
Further reading:
The Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-
agreement/the-paris-agreement
Climate Policy Initiative: https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/
Conclusion:
The IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report SPM provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge on climate change and its impacts. It highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and policy in driving the necessary changes. By understanding the key claims made in the report, we can take concrete steps towards addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. We encourage you to read the full report and explore further resources to deepen your understanding of this critical issue.