Book 1 Mention
Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change2023
Top 5% · 95th percentile
6,470 citations · Global and Planetary Change
Open Access

TLDR

Earth’s climate is changing quickly because of human activities, causing more extreme weather and rising sea levels. Cutting pollution from greenhouse gases can help slow down these changes and improve air quality.

Summary

1 Study Aim

The report aims to provide a thorough and up-to-date review of the physical science behind climate change. It seeks to explain how the climate is changing, what is causing these changes, and what the future might look like under different scenarios. The report also aims to inform policymakers and the public about the risks and possible actions to limit climate change and its impacts. The report wants to explain how and why the climate is changing, and what can be done about it.

2 Study Design

The authors use a wide range of scientific evidence, including direct measurements from weather stations and satellites, historical climate data (paleoclimate), and computer models that simulate the Earth's climate system. They analyze physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect climate, and use new methods to better understand climate trends and risks. The report combines global and regional studies to give a complete picture of climate change and its effects. The report uses many types of scientific data and computer models to study how the climate is changing and what might happen next.

3 Findings

The report demonstrates that the Earth's climate is warming at an unprecedented rate, mainly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane). It shows that these changes are affecting every region, causing more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and changes in rainfall patterns. The authors argue that reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions and reducing other greenhouse gases are crucial to limit further warming. They also highlight that these actions can improve air quality and reduce climate risks. The report recommends urgent action to reduce emissions and adapt to unavoidable changes. The report finds that human-caused pollution is making the climate change faster, and cutting these emissions is needed to protect people and the environment.

Abstract

The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive assessment of the physical science basis of climate change. It considers in situ and remote observations; paleoclimate information; understanding of climate drivers and physical, chemical, and biological processes and feedbacks; global and regional climate modelling; advances in methods of analyses; and insights from climate services. It assesses the current state of the climate; human influence on climate in all regions; future climate change including sea level rise; global warming effects including extremes; climate information for risk assessment and regional adaptation; limiting climate change by reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions and reducing other greenhouse gas emissions; and benefits for air quality. The report serves policymakers, decision makers, stakeholders, and all interested parties with the latest policy-relevant information on climate change. Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

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